Saturday 25 October 2025: Australian Commercial Property & SMSF Investment News Brief

📈 Today's Commercial Property & SMSF News

Brisbane Homebuyers Using 'Early Bird' Tactic in Competitive Market

New data indicates that Brisbane homebuyers are increasingly employing an 'early bird' strategy to secure properties before they are widely advertised. Analysis by the Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA) reveals a rise in off-market sales, where properties are sold without a public campaign or before the campaign commences. National sales activity has increased, but total stock levels have decreased, making the Brisbane market highly competitive.

Source: www.news.com.au

Couple Buys Brisbane Home in Under 12 Hours Using Off-Market Strategy

A Brisbane couple, Luke and Kate Whitehouse, successfully purchased a home off-market in less than 12 hours amidst the city's competitive property landscape. By approaching an agent with a list of desired properties not yet on the market, they were able to secure a contract swiftly. The agent contacted owners on their behalf, and the Whitehouses acted quickly when the opportunity arose. This marks their second off-market purchase, highlighting a growing trend in Brisbane's real estate market.

Source: www.news.com.au

Contiki Tour's Albert Park Headquarters Sold to Melbourne Investor

Travel House, the Albert Park headquarters of the Contiki and Trafalgar tour group, has been acquired by a Melbourne-based investor for approximately $9.5 million. The property, located at 210 Albert Road and overlooking turns six and seven of the Formula 1 track, garnered significant interest, attracting 12 bids from both local and international entities. The sale was managed by CBRE agents. The Travel Corporation (TTC) was acquired last year by US private equity firm Apollo, with the family now divesting its privately held real estate assets.

Source: www.smh.com.au

Heritage Cottage in Preston, Victoria, Gets Award-Winning Transformation

A modest house in Preston, Victoria, originally built in the 1950s as worker housing on the heritage-listed Newlands Housing Estate, has received an award-winning transformation. Architects at SSdH thoughtfully updated the "Dunstan House," respecting its history while modernizing it for the future. The house was initially constructed to house workers from the nearby Kodak factory.

Source: www.smh.com.au

Horsley Park Tavern in Western Sydney Hits the Market for the First Time

The Horsley Park Tavern, a well-known pub in Western Sydney, is for sale for the first time since opening in 1980. Built by the family of the late Valentine Lubec, the 10,500 square metre property is expected to fetch over $20 million due to its location near the new airport and the Fairfield area. Lubec, an immigrant from the former Yugoslavia, built the tavern with his wife Karen after a chance meeting with beer baron Edmund Resch.

Source: www.smh.com.au

Contiki Tour's Albert Park Headquarters Sold to Melbourne Investor

Travel House, the Albert Park-facing headquarters of Contiki and Trafalgar tour group, has been acquired by a Melbourne investor for approximately $9.5 million. The property at 210 Albert Road, which overlooks turns six and seven of the Formula 1 track, attracted significant interest and multiple bids. The Travel Corporation (TTC), which previously owned the building, was acquired by US private equity firm Apollo last year and is now selling off its privately held real estate.

Source: www.theage.com.au

Glenelg Businesses Struggle Amidst Roadworks and Tramline Closure

Businesses on Jetty Road in Glenelg, Adelaide, are facing hardship due to a $40 million upgrade project. The roadworks have disrupted vehicle and pedestrian access, coinciding with a six-month closure of the tramline connecting the city to Glenelg. Some business owners, like Paul Turner of Loud Cow Bar and Grill, have made the difficult decision to close their establishments due to the significant downturn in trade.

Source: www.abc.net.au

📊 Yesterday's Key Developments

Tax Breaks Beckon for Buyers of 'The Block' Homes

Tax experts estimate substantial depreciation deductions for buyers of 'The Block' homes in Daylesford. Each property could generate between $5.4 million and $6 million in claimable depreciation over its lifetime. Despite each property having an identical floorplan, some offer significantly more in tax depreciation deductions than others. House 4, owned by Sonny and Alicia, leads in tax depreciation deductions. Investors can claim deductions for the wear and tear of the building's structure and assets.

Source: www.realestate.com.au

Save Big: House Prices Plunge Near Train Stations

Significant savings can be found by purchasing property just one train stop further from the city centre. Analysis reveals numerous suburbs where travelling one station further can result in substantial discounts on house prices, in some cases reaching seven-figure sums, while only adding a few minutes to the daily commute. Generally, property prices decrease with increasing distance from the city along train lines.

Source: www.realestate.com.au

Luxury Apartment Sales Surge with Marina Berth Options

Queensland is experiencing high demand for boat berths, leading to increased interest in apartments that include marina access. The second release of apartments at Lighthouse on the Newport waterfront offers the option to purchase one of 22 marina berths. With a large number of licensed boaters and registered boats compared to available berths, Lighthouse provides a solution for boat owners. The apartments also offer amenities such as swimming pools, entertaining areas, gardens and a residents’ lounge.

Source: www.realestate.com.au

Sydney Property Market Set for Increased Competition

Sydney's property market is bracing for heightened competition due to a surge in pre-approved home loans. Data indicates a doubling of pre-approval levels compared to the previous year, signalling increased buyer demand. Experts anticipate bidding wars and price increases, exacerbated by low housing supply and slow building activity relative to population growth. Interest rate cuts and changing market sentiment are driving more people to accelerate their home-buying plans.

Source: www.realestate.com.au

McGrath's Property Picks: Sydney's Smart Buys for 2026

John McGrath has identified promising property investment opportunities in Sydney for 2026, highlighting lesser-known areas with characteristics similar to their more popular and expensive neighbours. These suburbs offer character, community, and convenience at a lower price point. Ashbury, in the inner west, is cited as a suburb that has been overlooked but is now attracting buyers priced out of Concord. Tennyson Point is also mentioned as a place to find more affordable coastal homes.

Source: www.realestate.com.au

Kohler's Finance Report: Market Reacts to Trump's Tariff Stance

Alan Kohler reports on the Australian share market's positive performance, coinciding with a rise in the Australian dollar. This follows a global market recovery after signals from US President Trump suggested a potential softening on imposing significant tariffs on China. The report notes the local market's resilience to Trump's initial tariff threats. Additionally, the report addresses an error in a previously published chart regarding crude oil transit figures.

Source: www.abc.net.au

Uber App Security Breach: Hackers Fleece Drivers and Passengers

A security vulnerability within the Uber application has allowed hackers to defraud both drivers and passengers. One Uber driver, Kristina O'Neill, was locked out of her account and contacted by a person posing as Uber support staff who then stole almost $5000. The hacker had access to sensitive account information, including balances and Uber support staff details. The report indicates O'Neill is not the only victim of this scam.

Source: www.9news.com.au

APRA Modifies Governance Framework Proposals After Industry Feedback

APRA has updated its proposed governance framework for banks, insurers, and superannuation trustees after a consultation period. The initial proposals, aimed at modernizing governance standards, received substantial feedback from over 150 organizations during 57 meetings. While the industry generally supported the changes, concerns were raised about potential impacts of certain proposals. As a result, APRA has decided to modify three of the original measures to address these concerns and reduce regulatory overlap.

Source: www.apra.gov.au

Published: Saturday 25 October 2025 | Fresh Articles: 28 | Sections: 15 | RunID: 2025-10-25T08:26:20+11:00