In the Sydney residential market, a recurring investment pattern involves buyers purchasing brand-new apartments directly from developers before construction is completed, then reselling the property once the building reaches completion or shortly after. This approach is commonly referred to as off-the-plan flipping, a form of short-term resale within the broader concept of property flipping.
Buying off the plan involves entering into a contract based on architectural plans and specifications rather than a completed dwelling. Settlement occurs once construction is finalised and strata titles are issued. In New South Wales, this process and its regulatory framework are outlined by the NSW Government:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/buying-and-selling-property/buying-property-nsw/buying-property-off-plan
The period between contract exchange and settlement often spans one to three years, depending on the development. During this time, market values may change. Some purchasers choose not to proceed with long-term ownership and instead sell the property around completion. In Sydney, this resale is frequently conducted through auction, reflecting the city’s established method for apartment sales:
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/buying-and-selling-property/buying-a-property/buying-property-at-an-auction
This strategy fits within the definition of property flipping, where an asset is acquired with the intention of resale over a relatively short timeframe. In the off-the-plan context, any price movement is driven by changes in market conditions during construction rather than rental income or extended capital growth.
Industry commentary often refers to this practice as off-the-plan resales or “pick-and-flick”, particularly in higher-density markets such as Sydney, where large volumes of new apartments are released at once:
https://www.yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au/news/resales-of-offtheplan-sydney-units-pick-up
Where This Occurs in Sydney
This pattern has been most visible in areas with sustained apartment development and strong buyer turnover. Locations such as the Sydney CBD, Inner West precincts including Zetland and Green Square, parts of the Eastern Suburbs, and transport-linked corridors like Parramatta and Macquarie Park have all seen periods where newly completed stock is resold soon after delivery.
In these markets, buyers often compare newly completed apartments against existing resale stock. Auction campaigns provide a transparent pricing mechanism once buildings are finished and ready for occupation.
Structural Drivers Behind the Strategy
Several factors explain why this approach appears consistently in Sydney. Off-the-plan purchases typically require a smaller upfront deposit, with the balance payable at settlement. Buyers secure a purchase price early, before the completed apartment enters the established resale market. When demand for new apartments remains strong at completion, resale prices may exceed the original contracted amount: https://thorntonking.com.au/information-centre/buying-property-off-the-plan-in-nsw/
At the same time, the approach carries defined risks. Market conditions can shift between exchange and completion, affecting achievable resale prices. Some contracts restrict assignment or resale prior to settlement. Construction delays or changes to finishes can also influence buyer demand once the property is delivered.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
For investors, off-the-plan resale at completion represents a short-term trading strategy rather than a long-term holding approach. Outcomes depend heavily on timing, location, market depth, and the quality of the finished product.
For owner-occupiers and buyers purchasing at completion, these resales can introduce additional supply into the market, sometimes creating opportunities to purchase brand-new apartments without the wait associated with off-the-plan contracts.
Overall, off-the-plan resale at completion remains a recognised feature of Sydney’s apartment market. It reflects the city’s development cycle, auction-based sales culture, and the role of timing in short-term property investment decisions.
How Murray Property Can Assist
Murray Property works with buyers, sellers, and investors across Sydney to assess off-the-plan opportunities and resale strategies at different stages of the property lifecycle. This includes guidance on local market conditions, comparable sales at completion, auction positioning, and the practical considerations involved in reselling newly completed apartments.