Thinking about buying on the Gold Coast in 2026, from Sydney, Melbourne, New Zealand, or across town. This guide explains what a buyers agent does, what they cost, and who really benefits.

Buying off the plan on the Gold Coast can be an opportunity to secure a new, low-maintenance apartment before it is built, but it is not risk-free. This guide walks through the key rewards and the traps to watch for so you can decide whether an off-the-plan purchase fits your goals and risk tolerance.

Smaller apartment buildings can offer privacy, peace and lower running costs, but bigger towers can sometimes deliver better layouts, views and liveability. This article unpacks when “smaller is smarter” on the Gold Coast – and when it is not.

Buying on the Gold Coast from interstate or overseas means relying on listings that don’t show the full picture. I uncover what buyers can’t see online — privacy, noise, development risk, strata issues, and true liveability — so you can buy with confidence from afar.

Buying on the Gold Coast looks simple from the outside, but many buyers misread local micro-markets, miss off-market opportunities, and chase “bargains” that do not suit their lifestyle or goals.