Cash payments of $20,000 were offered to buyers of high-rise apartments across Melbourne’s central business district in the midst of building and security concerns that have disrupted prices, discouraged potential tenants, and hurt returns on investment.

The payments represent an increasing divide in the nation’s property markets between “hot” stock in low-rise inner suburbs, and high-rise and outer suburban land that is hard to sell.

For example, on the outskirts of Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, financial advisors and accountants who propose purchasing in new housing estates to their clients are offered cash rewards.

Buyer concerns about a property shortage in high-demand postcodes were compounded by growing overseas competition in top-end houses near major cities.

Yet buyer concerns about high-rise apartment fires and construction threats are causing sales times to blow out more than 60% compared to a year ago, causing bottlenecks for sellers, the agents say.