A simple investor guide for off-the-plan apartments in today’s market
Let’s start with the real question
When you invest in property, do you want a second job?
Or do you want an asset that quietly does its thing in the background while the market does the heavy lifting?
Because if you’re like most investors, you don’t want drama. You want hassle-free.
And that’s exactly why brand-new, lock-and-leave apartments can make a ridiculous amount of sense in the right market conditions.
The #1 reason apartments work: less hassle
The best types of investment properties are the ones that are easy to own.
Brand new lock-and-leave properties work because they’re:
- simple to manage
- low maintenance
- less likely to surprise you with expensive repairs
Brand-new apartments are typically low on maintenance costs compared to older houses.
And in many cases, strata can be more predictable than the real cost of:
- maintaining a backyard
- ongoing wear-and-tear on an older home
- larger insurance and repair surprises
It’s also less for your tenant to look after.
Which usually means…
Less hassle for you.
Less hassle = you hold longer (and that’s where the money is)
Here’s the part most people miss.
The biggest wins in property investing often come from time in the market.
More time in a growing market = more growth opportunity for your property.
So, anything that makes ownership easier increases the chance you’ll hold the asset long enough to let it ride the growth wave.
Because investing should be a background process. Not something that constantly demands your time, attention, and stress tolerance.
Remember, investing in property is a like business. And that business should be able to run without you in it.
Why brand-new matters
Brand-new apartments tend to give you two big advantages:
1. Lower maintenance early on
New builds generally mean fewer immediate repairs.
2. Stronger tax benefits
It’s not just the rent that determines your cash flow position on a property.
Brand-new apartments can offer meaningful tax depreciation benefits on the building and fixtures/fittings.
And there’s an important rule that investors need to understand around this:
If you’re not the original owner, you generally can’t claim depreciation on existing fixtures and fittings.
Which creates a real incentive to buy brand new.
The “same location, lower price point” advantage
Apartments often let you buy into a suburb at a lower entry price.
So, if a suburb’s median house price is around $1M, and you can secure an apartment around $500k, you’re getting:
- the same location benefits
- the same lifestyle and amenity
- often the same tenant demand drivers
…without paying the house price tag.
Your buy in price is what determines your yield and your growth position.
So, securing a property at the right time matters because the last thing you want to be doing is following the herd and buying in at tomorrow’s prices.
Now the winning formula that makes off-the-plan work (in the right market conditions).
This is where it gets interesting.
When you buy off-the-plan, you’re often locking in your position with just a deposit.
So, while the market moves, you’re sitting back while:
- your deposit is holding your price
- you pay nothing more until settlement (when construction is complete)
- you don’t need to cover any mortgage or progress payments while it’s under construction
- you let time in the market work for you, while you wait for settlement
Off-the-plan is not just a property choice. It’s a timing strategy for those who want to leverage a growing market.
Most people forgo cash incentives
Off-the-plan buying can also give you access to stamp duty concessions.
In some cases, up to 100% off your duty costs (capped at $50,000), depending on when you buy and the purchase price.
These concessions are available for off-the-plan apartments pre-construction and under construction.
They don’t apply to completed or second-hand properties.
A huge saving that a lot of investors forgo.
The simple takeaway
If you want an investment property that’s:
- Easier to own
- Requires minimal financial outlay to control an asset
- Often a lower entry into premium locations
- Low maintenance and easier to hold on to long enough to capture growth
- Offers better tax depreciation
…then brand-new apartments, bought off-the-plan, are worth serious consideration for your investment strategy.
These off-the-plan properties may be worth a closer look
Right now, we have studio apartments at The Boulevard Residences in Cockburn available to purchase off-the-plan, with just a $10K deposit and nothing more to pay until completion (estimated for 2028). So while the market moves, you sit back while your deposit holds your position and your price.
They are estimated to achieve up to 6.6% rental yields, based on current rental estimates.
Over 60% of these apartments have been sold, in just 4 months. Some of these buyers have already seen a 13% growth in this short timeframe, purely from price movements in the market.
A nice little bonus, these apartments are under construction, which means you can access up to 75% off your stamp duty costs. This is only available before construction completion.
Disclaimer
This document provides general information only and does not constitute financial, taxation, or legal advice. You should seek independent advice tailored to your circumstances.
Estimated gross rental yields are based on the lowest-priced apartments in this project, The Boulevard Residences. For example, studio apartment rental yields of 6.6% are based on a $440,000 purchase price and current rental appraisal estimates from our property management partners. Rental income and market conditions may change before completion, and actual yield will vary with the final purchase price and rent achieved.
Estimated capital growth figures are based on existing purchases at The Boulevard Residences. Comparable apartments across the same levels are used for example purposes only. Capital growth is dependent on purchase price and market conditions and may vary upon completion of construction.
