5 Signs It Might Be Time to Sell Your Building as a Collective

Timing is everything when it comes to property — and that includes knowing when it might be time to consider a collective sale.

While every building is different, there are certain signs that suggest your strata scheme could be sitting on an opportunity too good to ignore.

Here are five clear signals it might be time to start exploring a collective sale.

1. Your Building Is Ageing (and Repairs Are Mounting)

Is your building starting to show its age? Are special levies becoming a regular feature at annual general meetings? You're not alone.

Many Sydney apartment blocks built in the 70s, 80s, and 90s are facing rising repair bills — cracked pipes, leaking roofs, broken lifts, and ageing facades. Keeping up with repairs can cost more over time than what owners could unlock through a collective sale.

According to Strata Community Association NSW, buildings over 30 years old spend 20–30% more annually on maintenance compared to newer ones. Instead of pouring money into endless fixes, many owners are choosing to cash out — often with a significant premium.

2. Strata Levies Are Rising Faster Than Property Values

If your levies are going up but your apartment value has plateaued, you might be paying more for diminishing returns. A collective sale can act as a circuit-breaker — allowing owners to walk away with a higher payout before maintenance costs erode property values further.

With Konsensus, you can get an independent site assessment (no agents needed early on) to understand the true redevelopment potential of your building.

3. There Are More Investors Than Owner-Occupiers

Buildings with a higher percentage of investors often find it easier to reach consensus. Investor owners are generally more commercially minded — they focus on financial returns rather than emotional attachment.

If your building is more than 50% investment-held, it's a strong sign that collective sale discussions might gain traction faster than you think. Konsensus can help you map owner sentiment early — and when the time comes, we can also coordinate trusted agent partners to bring developer interest to the table, always ensuring you're in control.

4. Your Site Is Zoned for Growth

Zoning is crucial. If your building is zoned R3 (Medium Density) or R4 (High Density), it immediately becomes more attractive to developers.

Many Sydney councils — including Canterbury-Bankstown, Inner West, and Georges River — have rezoned areas to encourage redevelopment along transport corridors. If your site is within 800 metres of a train station, light rail stop, or major bus interchange, the chances of developer interest are even higher.

You can check your zoning via the NSW Planning Portal — or Konsensus can arrange a complimentary review to assess your site's full potential.

5. Your Building Hasn't Been Renovated in Decades

Ironically, buildings that haven't been updated are often more valuable to developers. If your building:

• Still has original kitchens and bathrooms
• Lacks balconies or modern common areas
• Hasn't been substantially renovated in the last 10–15 years

…it's often seen as a clean slate — perfect for redevelopment without the "wasted" value of recent upgrades. Less sunk cost = more willingness from developers to pay a premium.

Bonus Sign: Your Committee Has Been Talking About Selling

If your committee has floated the idea of a collective sale, or you've received unsolicited approaches from developers, that's a clear signal to explore the opportunity seriously.

At Konsensus, we make the early steps easy:

• No-pressure conversations
• Independent feasibility studies (without engaging agents too early)
• Clear, owner-first advice
• When ready, partnering with trusted agents to secure the best outcomes

What's the Worst That Could Happen?

Nothing. Exploring your options doesn't commit you to anything. But doing nothing could cost you — Deferred maintenance, zoning changes, or a cooler property market could all eat into the value of your building over time.

Final Thought

If you're seeing one or more of these signs in your building, now could be the perfect time to ask: Should we be selling together — not separately?

Konsensus is here to help you:

• Understand your true value
• Build transparent conversations with neighbours
• Explore developer interest safely and smartly
• Stay in control throughout the process

Your home is valuable — but it might be even more powerful as part of a collective sale. Let's help you unlock it.