Sarah Andrews on ‘Why Quality Matters’

We’ve all heard that location is key when purchasing a property, but that’s just one part of the puzzle to getting the most bang for your buck. We spoke to Sarah Andrews of Andrews Projects to discuss how “purchasers get rewarded when they buy quality.”

Andrews Projects is an industry leader in Gold Coast property development with a knack for delivering luxury lifestyles – and multiple UDIA awards to back them up. Since joining the family-run business in 2014, Sarah has played a significant role in the success of apartment projects, including Dune, Beach House, Encore, Vue, Allegra and South Hamptons.

Sarah spoke to us about the correlation between high-quality developments and the property’s value over time. “As an example, one of our recent projects, Vue, was completed in December 2019. The average resale value has increased 19% in just over two years,” Sarah explains.

One of the Vue apartments experienced an incredible gain of $312,000 – marking a 36% increase in only two years, serving as a direct testament to the building’s location, design, quality, and craftsmanship.

When Vue entered the market as off-the-plan apartments, buyers loved the proximity to the beach, but the premium quality on offer is what set the development apart from its competitors – and ensured the properties continue to gain value over time. “Quality means the longevity of the finishes within the apartment development. Our material selections are chosen for their ability to stand the test of time and provide clients with a good home that they are proud to live in,” Sarah comments.

So how can buyers distinguish a high-quality off-the-plan property? “It’s in the details,” says Sarah. “At Vue, the lobby and residents’ amenities were upgraded to natural stone for durability and aesthetics. In addition to ensuring the longevity of the build, this also adds to the overall appeal of the building and enhances the residents’ experience.”

Other factors to consider are unique design features, high-end finishes, premium appliances and generous common areas. With Gold Coast’s breathtaking views on offer, glazing properties are also something buyers should look into; “All Vue apartments are wrapped in floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows with a reflective e-coating. This reduces heat exposure, mitigates any external noise and creates a climate-controlled environment for comfortable living.”

It’s also imperative to know the builder and their reputation. Sarah explains, “We’ve partnered with Hutchies because they have 105+ years of experience in the building industry. They are able to comfortably navigate tougher market conditions and have a long track record of delivering some of the best high rise buildings in Queensland.”

“Hutchies has delivered two of our award-winning buildings in Broadbeach; Vue and Encore. In addition, the Hutchies team is currently constructing our one-per-floor buildings, Beach House and Dune, which are due for completion in late 2022 and mid-2023, respectively.”

We asked Sarah to comment on the age-old real estate mantra that ‘location is key’. “Andrews Projects selects sites in central Gold Coast locations that have access to surrounding infrastructure including shopping centres, beaches, parks and transport.”

“Our latest project, Cascade in Robina, enjoys amazing access to the suburb’s infrastructure and amenities including the train station and M1, private and public hospitals, Robina Town Centre, Metricon Stadium, the parklands, local schools and Bond University.”

Sarah explains the project has a distinct focus on landscaping, green open spaces, community gardens and solar panels for renewable power supply. “Cascade has a building to land ratio of 20%, meaning the majority of the land is being used for green open spaces and residential amenities. These include a 30-metre heated lap pool, indoor and outdoor gyms, spas, saunas, an outdoor pool deck with cabanas for dining, and an amphitheatre with a fountain for work-from-home comfort.”

“Purchasers are definitely rewarded when they buy quality as quality will always increase in value,” says Sarah.

Andrews Projects is preparing to launch Cascade Gold Coast, its first master-plan community strategically located to bring the whole suburb within easy reach. The lifestyle community consists of two boutique 15-level towers with central amenities and access to the surrounding infrastructure of Robina.