Queensland · New Apartments & Townhouses
Off the Plan Property in Queensland
Buying a new apartment, townhouse or home before it is built. Done well, it locks in today’s price on tomorrow’s home. Done badly, it locks you into the wrong building.
Why now
Brisbane Is Not Building Enough Apartments
The Property Council of Australia says Brisbane needs about 8,000 attached dwellings a year to 2031, but inner Brisbane averaged only 1,400 new apartments a year from 2020 to 2024, with about 3,000 forecast for 2026. Construction costs now exceed the price of many existing units, which limits new supply.
8,000
Attached homes needed a year
~3,000
Inner Brisbane apartments, 2026 forecast
4,000–5,000
Annual shortfall
35%
Of post-2027 pipeline at risk
Source: Property Council of Australia, March 2026.
How it works
Deposit Now, Settle on Completion
You sign a contract and pay a deposit, often 10%, held in trust until the building is finished. You settle when the title is registered, which can be one to three years away. That delay can work for you, but it also means valuations, finance and your circumstances can change before settlement.
What we check
The Building Matters as Much as the Suburb
Developer and builder
Track record, completed projects and financial strength.
Competing supply
How many similar units are being built nearby.
Owner-occupier appeal
Layouts, parking and outlook that suit people who live there, not just investors.
Body corporate
Realistic levies and sinking fund plans.
Sunset clause and deposit
Contract terms, deposit protection and completion dates.
Valuation risk
Whether the price stacks up against comparable completed sales.
Off the plan Australia wideTownhouses and house and land
Not Just Apartments
Off the plan also includes townhouses and house and land. For many investors these offer a better balance of land value and rental demand. See our Brisbane apartments and townhouses and Queensland house and land pages, and townhouses Australia wide.
“Whenever you apply emotion to any decision, especially when it comes to investing, you’re guaranteeing yourself a lower return on investment, but only 100% of the time.”
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does off the plan mean?
Buying a property before it is built, based on plans, with settlement when construction is complete.
How much deposit do I need for off the plan?
Commonly 10% of the price, held in trust until settlement. Some developers accept less or a deposit bond.
Is Brisbane short of apartments?
The Property Council of Australia estimates a shortfall of 4,000 to 5,000 apartments a year in Brisbane, with construction costs limiting new projects.
Strategy Before Property
Talk to Us About Off the Plan
Book a complimentary strategy call with Stephen Lazar. Tell us what you are looking for and we’ll save you time by short-listing projects worth your investment dollars.
One Network. Nationwide Reach.
Part Of The properT network Family
Investment Property Queensland is one specialist site within the properT network group — the same independent advisory approach, applied across states and property types.
