Case Study: Olga among the last SMSF buyers to get in before the 2026 deadline
Leading Sydney developer Billbergia has seen an uplift in investor sales as SMSF buyers rushed to beat the 10 August deadline for new lending restrictions.
Sales to SMSF purchasers across its Sydney projects have increased since the May announcement banning Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements (LRBAs) for SMSF residential property investment.
“SMSF buyers are racing to beat the new lending restrictions. They don’t want to risk being locked out, so they’ve been moving fast to sign contracts while the window is still open,” said John Kim, Sales Manager at Billbergia.
While residential lending to SMSFs will be banned from next week, properties bought prior to this will be “grandfathered” – including off-the-plan sales that have exchanged contracts before 10 August.
But Kim emphasises, this diminishing window of opportunity is only open for SMSFs that have already been established – a complex process that can extend for over a month.
Importantly, SMSF must adhere to strict guidelines set out by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 (SIS Act).
“We have seen established SMSFs seeking to add final properties to their fund while they can, and also others who had just set up their SMSF in time to buy before the deadline,” he said.
Under the new regulations, SMSFs can still invest in residential property but are unable to borrow to do so.
Australians are increasingly embracing managing their own retirement funds with ATO revealing that more than 1.2 million run an SMSF. The growing sector now represents about 25% of Australia’s total superannuation pool.
Case Study: Olga & Louie Ramos – Chatswood Grand Residences
Seasoned SMSF investors Olga and Louie Ramos, aged 48 and 46 respectively, have been quick to snap up a fourth investment property within Chatswood Grand Residences for their SMSF.
The couple operate a digital marketing agency called Digital Presence, and decided to form their own SMSF in 2012 as a secure investment vehicle to prepare for their future retirement and build wealth for their children.
“Before we opened the business we were both working long hours in IT and it was really when we had our first child that we started planning for the future – creating our own business and also setting up our SMSF,” Olga said.
The Ramos family has grown – they now have a 15-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter, along with their business and SMSF.
Their SMSF portfolio now comprises four property assets, including an office in Norwest Business Park and apartments in Norwest, Woolooware and now Chatswood.
The couple were quick to secure a two-bedroom-plus media room apartment in Chatswood Grand Residences for $2.1 million ahead of the 10 August deadline.
“We thoroughly researched all of the premium developments in Chatswood, and this one has excellent long-term growth potential. We looked at the quality, amenities and developer track record, and even compared it to developments in the Sydney CBD – but nothing compared,” Olga said.
“I have a personal history with the area too. Chatswood is where I first lived when I came to Australia from USA 25 years ago. It is such a great place and so full of life – our kids also love catching the Metro from our home in the Hills District to Chatswood,” she said.
Her biggest tip for would-be off-the-plan investors is “do your due diligence”.
“It is so important to do your due diligence. Research the area, other projects and also look at available plans from Council. With settlement years away, you must be confident that there is room for growth,” she said.
Chatswood Grand Residences
Billbergia and Metrics Credit Partners are delivering Chatswood Grand Residences, a flagship $1.3 billion, 552-unit mixed-use development in one of Sydney’s most premium markets.
Located at 8 Wilson Street, it is set to redefine the Chatswood CBD skyline, delivering upmarket residences with unrivalled views in a tightly-held North Shore location where demand is underpinned by transport, shopping, schools, jobs and lifestyle amenity.
The development features two towers of 58 and 60 storeys containing 552 apartments. The sleek towers rise from a podium with over 2,500 square metres of retail and commercial space – housing convenience retail, essential services and dining, spilling into an activated laneway precinct – surrounded by a further 2,500 square metres of revitalised public domain.
Expected to be complete by 2031, Chatswood Grand Residences’ apartment mix will appeal to first-home buyers, investors, downsizers and families – with units ranging from studios to four-bedroom configurations.
Chatswood Grand Residences has 40 x studio apartments and 54 x one-bedroom apartments, sized up to 72 square metres, with prices starting at $1.2 million. There are 214 x two-bedroom apartments, priced from $1.52 million and sized up to 114 square metres. The towers offer 218 x three-bedroom apartments, sized up to 173 square metres and priced from $2.7 million.
There are 26 x four-bedroom apartments including four exclusive penthouses crowning the towers. With expansive views and premium finishes, these opulent apartments offer interiors of up to 306 square metres.
There is abundant car parking, all premium three-bedroom units include two car spaces, while penthouse apartments have three car spaces.
The development is prominently located within walking distance of Chatswood Interchange, Chatswood Chase, Westfield Chatswood and Beauchamp Park, unlocking immediate access to one of Sydney’s most established retail and transport hubs.
All apartments feature generous wintergarden spaces that can be enjoyed across all seasons. Most apartments are designed in corner configurations to maximise natural light, privacy, ventilation and district views – features that continue to rank highly with owner-occupiers in the upper North Shore market.
With a strong focus on resident amenity and wellness, Chatswood Grand Residences’ podium rooftop recreation level will feature a swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room and BBQ area set within lush, landscaped gardens. Plans also include an indoor gym, yoga facilities and virtual golf room.
Construction is slated to commence in late 2026, subject to approvals, with completion expected in 2031.
For further sales information call 1300 50 90 78, visit www.chatswoodgrandresidences.com.au, or the display suite 9:30am-5:30pm Tuesday to Sunday at 66 Archer Street, Chatswood.
