How green is that development? The scorecard helping buyers see past renders

When it comes to buying an apartment off the plan, there’s a common worry that many Australians have: will the promises live up to reality? It’s hard to make one of life’s biggest choices based on blueprints alone, and it’s natural that many buyers feel they need to see an apartment development through artist renders to decide if it’s right for them. And while these pictures are helpful for visualising a future home’s spaces, one area where they are notoriously hard to trust is their depiction of green space and gardens.International examples, like this apartment complex in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, provide a model for how greenery can be integrated into urban design. Image: GettyDevelopers may argue it’s hard to account for a plant’s growth, but it’s undeniably an area that’s prone to embellishment. And it's also a feature that materially impacts the usefulness of the apartment complex – its comfort, its amenity, and its contribution to the community.In fact, buyers care a lot about the greenery surrounding their home. According to realestate.com.au’s 2026 New Homes research – which surveyed buyers considering a brand-new build – access to nature for apartment buyers was ranked ...