In Short:
– The real estate paradigm is shifting as apartments are now seen as more valuable than houses.
– Brisbane’s apartment demand is rising due to lifestyle benefits and upcoming infrastructure developments.

The idea that houses always outperform apartments is no longer a given.

In this episode of The Property Playbook, Terry Ryder spoke with Michael Wilkins, founder of Nuestar, about a notable shift in the property market.

According to the report “The Rise and Rise of Apartments,” unit values in Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide grew faster than house prices in 2025. Several factors are driving this trend. Affordability is increasingly important, as higher median house prices push buyers toward more accessible apartments. Supply constraints, including rising construction costs and project delays, are also shaping the market.

Limited supply

Location and lifestyle appeal remain critical. Apartments are often closer to transport, childcare, and other amenities, making them attractive to a wide range of buyers. Low-maintenance living is particularly appealing to older purchasers, while new developments with gyms, pools, and other features are boosting rental potential. Across most regions, apartment rents are growing faster than house rents, and limited supply is expected to continue putting upward pressure on rental income.

Wilkins emphasizes the importance of strategic investment, advising buyers to focus on properties near transit and to carefully assess developers’ track records. Brisbane is a standout market, with demand for apartments rising ahead of major infrastructure projects and the 2032 Olympics, creating opportunities for investors looking to get in early.

The rise of apartments signals a broader shift in real estate, challenging old assumptions and highlighting the potential for growth and income in properties beyond the traditional house.

In Short:
– Fresh Start Advisory, founded by Frank Ambrosi, uses AI to identify promising real estate investment locations.
– The company focuses on emerging markets, employing a ranking system to assess growth potential and investment viability.

Frank Ambrosi, CEO of Fresh Start Advisory, joins Terry Ryder, host of The Property Playbook, to share how his company identifies growth markets for real estate investment. Founded in 2020 after Ambrosi’s negative experience with a buyer’s agent, Fresh Start Advisory uses a systematic process to help investors make smarter decisions.

The firm has grown to 35 staff members, operating nationally from Melbourne, and focuses on “second wind” markets showing renewed growth potential. Their selection process now leverages AI to evaluate ten key fundamentals and generate a market viability scorecard.

Fresh Start’s AI-driven approach helps investors navigate complex property data, providing confidence in market choices and reducing the risk of costly mistakes.

For more information, visit Hotspotting

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In Short:
– The latest Pulse report identifies 50 investment locations with strong rental yields and capital growth opportunities across Australia.
– Cheaper areas often yield better growth, and depreciation can enhance rental yields, challenging traditional investment beliefs.

In this episode of The Property Playbook, host Tim Graham spoke with Terry Ryder, founder of Hotspotting and a leading real estate analyst, about the latest Pulse report.

The quarterly report identifies Australia’s top 50 locations offering strong capital growth alongside above-average rental yields, helping investors pinpoint safer, high-performing markets.

The November 2023 edition highlighted areas that achieved capital growth between 30% and nearly 90% over the past two years, with many of the standout locations in South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland.

Interestingly, more affordable regions showed the strongest percentage growth, drawing attention from investors seeking a balance of rental income and long-term capital gains. Properties listed in the report generally offered yields of 6% or more, with towns like Rockhampton and Townsville delivering particularly attractive returns.

A growing divide

Since the report’s release, rental prices have risen further, pushing yields above 7% in some cases. The Pulse report, produced in collaboration with Washington Brown, also provides depreciation strategies that can boost yields even more. Challenging traditional thinking, the analysis suggests that it is still possible for investors to achieve both strong rental income and substantial capital growth.

However, finding these high-performing properties is becoming increasingly competitive, with a growing divide emerging between unit and house markets for identifying the best yields.

While not every area met expectations, even underperforming regions experienced reasonable growth, suggesting potential for recovery and long-term opportunity in regional markets. For investors, the key takeaway is that careful research and strategic property selection remain critical for maximizing both income and growth in Australia’s property landscape.