Qld Property Types

Freestanding House

Freestanding houses or detached dwellings are the most common form of residential properties in Brisbane. There are very few semi-detached dwellings, terrace houses, or duplexes. Freestanding houses vary from workers cottages on 16 perches (405 square metres) of land to Queenslander houses on 32 perches (809 square metres) of land or larger, in the inner-city area. Increasingly, builders are constructing reproduction Queenslanders and attractive contemporary houses on small lots (400 square metres) in the inner-city. Beyond 6km from the CBD houses are mixed with semi-modern brick houses, modern contemporary houses and some character houses, generally on larger blocks of land of 600 square metres and greater.

Apartment/Unit

A property advertised as an apartment is generally modern in a high-rise building, with shared facilities such as a swimming pool, gym and BBQ areas. They are mostly located in the CBD or nearby. A unit is more often an older property in a smaller development, with fewer (if any) shared facilities, and there are lots of “six pack” units in Brisbane’s inner-city areas. Apartments and Units have balconies, and generally have parking underneath or in the basement. They are popular with investors and people wanting an inner-city lifestyle, and are purchased on a Strata Title which entitles the buyer to own the apartment/unit plus a share in the common areas of the development.

Townhouse/Villa

Townhouses and Villas can be new, modern or older properties and are typically characterised by being on the ground with a small lawn or courtyard area, and having an adjoining lock-up garage or carport. There are some townhouse/villa developments in the inner-city area, often part of a larger Apartment development, but many tend to be located beyond 6km of the CBD because of the large land area required to develop them. These properties are particularly popular with older people who wish to avoid too many stairs, and like the convenient parking and low-maintenance gardens. They are purchased on a Strata or Community Title, which entitles the buyer to own the townhouse/villa plus a share in the common areas of the development.

House on Waterfront

Waterfront homes are the pinnacle of prestige property in Brisbane, and highly sought after. They can be purchased on the Brisbane River in the inner-city and near city areas, in the bayside suburbs of Wynnum, Manly, Cleveland and Redland Bay, and on canal developments in areas such as Birkdale and Redcliffe. Waterfront houses offer water views, cool breezes, and private boat moorings for those who enjoy boating on the river, or want access to Moreton Bay for deep water fishing.

House on Acreage

Houses on acreage properties are becoming increasingly popular in Brisbane, as they are relatively close to the CBD, and offer the tranquillity of a rural lifestyle with space for a large home, pool, tennis court, pony and other animals. Established homes can be purchased in areas such as Fig Tree Pocket (9km from the CBD), Pullenvale (15km), Bellbowrie (16km), Brookfield (19km) and Samford (20+km). Vacant land is becoming scarce in these areas, as new subdivisions are few.