Sydney's Premier Development Site Advisors

UNLOCKING PRIME DEVELOPMENT SITES.

We help owners unlock the full development potential of their property, and provide developers with exclusive access to premium off-market acquisition opportunities

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$ 180 m+
Acquisition Value
Total off-market site value transacted across Sydney
500 +
Owners Assisted
Across successful development site transactions.
0 +
New Residences
Dwellings unlocked through our acquisition process
$ 0 m+
End Value
Total projected end value of development projects
0 +
Developers Engaged
Active developer relationships across Greater Sydney
Sydney
2024
Founded
Our Story

A smarter approach
to development site acquisition

Chem Property was founded by Chaim Lieder and Emile McKenna, combining expertise across architecture, planning, and development finance to deliver a smarter, more strategic approach to development site advisory and acquisition.

Our experience working with Sydney's leading developers on site acquisitions, and advising landowners and ownership groups on development sales, gives us a unique perspective on how transactions are assessed, structured, and negotiated from both sides of the table.

This enables us to unlock and maximise a property's development potential and strategically position sites as acquisition-ready opportunities that attract serious developer interest and drive stronger, cleaner commercial outcomes for all parties.

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What We Do

OUR SERVICES

01

Vendor & Strata Advisory

We provide independent advisory services for landowners and strata groups to understand their site's true development value and navigate developer negotiations with confidence.

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02

Amalgamation Strategy

We identify and coordinate site amalgamation opportunities for neighbouring owners and strata groups, managing the process from initial alignment through to a structured, value driven development sale.

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03

Site Acquisition

We connect developers with exclusive, off market acquisition opportunities. Through deep market intelligence and a highly curated process, we manage everything from sourcing through to execution.

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Rose Bay• Double Bay• Edgecliff• Woollahra• Bondi Junction• Randwick• Mosman• Neutral Bay• Cremorne• McMahons Point• Wollstonecraft• Waverton• Lavender Bay• Kirribilli• Manly• Inner West• Rose Bay• Double Bay• Edgecliff• Woollahra• Bondi Junction• Randwick• Mosman• Neutral Bay• Cremorne• McMahons Point• Wollstonecraft• Waverton• Lavender Bay• Kirribilli• Manly• Inner West•
Suburbs We Service Across Greater Sydney
The People

MEET THE FOUNDERS

Chaim Lieder

Chaim Lieder

Co-Founder

Previously at leading architecture firms SJB and PBD Architects, Chaim was involved in the delivery of some of Sydney's most iconic residential developments. Chaim brings deep technical proficiency and a practical understanding of the full development lifecycle.

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Emile McKenna

Emile McKenna

Co-Founder

Previously at the Real Estate team at Commonwealth Bank, Emile worked on more than $500 million in development finance deals across Greater Sydney. Emile brings a sharp commercial lens and a deep understanding of how developers view risk, return and funding.

LinkedIn →
Common Questions

FAQS

Selling to a developer focuses on your property's development potential, not just its value as a home.

Because of this, a development sale can achieve a higher price if your site meets the right planning and zoning criteria.

We specialise in identifying this potential and connecting owners with qualified developers ready to purchase your property.
Often, yes.

If your property has development potential — for example, it's zoned for apartments or townhouses — developers will value it based on what they can build, not the current home.

In Sydney's Eastern Suburbs and North Shore, landowners can achieved 30%+ above residential value by selling to a developer.

We can provide a detailed development analysis before you commit to anything so you know the true value of your property.
The key factors are zoning (what your council allows to be built), lot size, site dimensions, topography, and proximity to transport and town centres.

Chem Property offers a free initial assessment — reviewing your property against the relevant planning controls and advising whether a developer is likely to pay above residential value.

Contact us at info@chemproperty.com to get started.
An off-market development site sale is a transaction where the property is sold directly to a developer without being publicly listed on real estate portals.

Chem Property manages this process — using their developer network to identify the right buyer, negotiate terms, and manage the transaction privately.

This approach typically achieves strong pricing while protecting the owner's privacy and avoiding the disruption of a public campaign.
No.

Chem Property can engage a curated shortlist of qualified developers who are ready to pay top dollar for the exclusive opportunity.

Our no-fee, discreet, off-market process maximises value from the right buyer without the noise, stress, and exposure of a public campaign.
Sydney's most active development site markets include the Eastern Suburbs (Rose Bay, Double Bay, Edgecliff, Randwick, Woollahra), the Lower North Shore (Mosman, Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Kirribilli), and the Inner West.

These areas benefit from strong developer demand, growing medium-density zoning allowances, and significant uplift from the NSW Low and Mid Rise Housing Reforms.
Yes.

If your building has development potential, developers may be interested in buying the whole building.

Selling the whole building together — in what is known as a 'collective sale' — can achieve a higher price than selling units individually, because developers pay for what can be built on the site.

Chem Property can help assess the site's potential, bring owners together, and connect you with qualified developers ready to make competitive offers.
In NSW, the strata renewal process is the legal framework that allows all owners in a strata scheme to sell the entire building to a single buyer — often a developer — for redevelopment.

Under the Strata Schemes Development Act 2015 (NSW), if at least 75% of owners (by unit entitlement) vote in favour of the sale, there is a formal pathway to proceed as one site.

While the legislation only requires 75% agreement, in practice it is highly recommended to have 100% of owners aligned. This makes the transaction far smoother, reduces the risk of legal disputes, and helps secure stronger offers from developers.
In a collective strata sale, the price is typically split based on unit entitlement, which reflects each lot's share in the building. For adjoining houses, it's typically split by land size.

Factors like positioning within the building or existing improvements can also influence the final agreement.

We work with owners early to agree on a fair formula so the process stays smooth and dispute-free.
Site assembly is the process of combining two or more adjoining properties into a single larger site for development, unlocking better development outcomes.

For example, combining three houses can create a site large enough for a boutique apartment building — dramatically increasing the land value.

Chem Property specialises in off-market site assembly, approaching multiple adjoining owners simultaneously and managing the negotiation to achieve a coordinated acquisition.
Residual land value is the maximum amount a developer can afford to pay for a site and still achieve their required profit margin.

It is calculated as: Gross Realisation Value (total end sales) minus GST, construction costs, professional fees, holding costs, finance costs, and developer profit margin.

Chem Property prepares indicative residual land value analyses for every site, ensuring it is priced correctly for the developer market.
Because development sales offer a premium price, developers typically balance this with a lighter deposit and longer settlement.

Most developers will use an option agreement of 18–24 months and offer a 1–5% deposit.

This gives the developer time to secure planning and building approvals before taking full ownership — helping the cashflow and returns of the project.

Longer settlements can benefit owners too, allowing ample time to relocate while locking in an agreed sale price.
An option agreement is a contract that gives a developer the legal right — but not the obligation — to buy your property within an agreed time frame at a pre-agreed price.

In development sales, this is most often either a call option or a put and call option:

Call option: Gives the developer the right to buy within the option period. You receive an upfront option fee for granting this right. If they choose not to proceed, you keep the fee and retain the property.

Put and call option: Works both ways. The developer can choose to buy (call), and you also have the right to compel them to buy (put). This gives you more certainty that the sale will go ahead under the agreed terms.
The NSW Low and Mid Rise Housing Reforms can make it easier and more profitable to sell your property to a developer.

If your site is in an eligible area, the new rules may allow more height, floor space, or a different type of housing than before.

This extra development potential can attract more developers and drive a higher sale price.

We can check your zoning and let you know exactly how these changes apply to your property.
Selling a development site typically takes 3–9 months from initial engagement to exchange of contracts, depending on the complexity of the site and number of parties involved.

Option agreements often extend the settlement period to 18–24 months to allow for planning approvals, meaning full completion can take 2–3 years from first contact.

Chem Property manages the process from start to finish, keeping all parties aligned throughout.
Let's Work Together

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TOUCH.

Whether you're a landowner exploring your options or a developer seeking your next site — tell us about your situation.

We respond to all enquiries within one business day. Your details are kept strictly confidential.

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