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Loans.com.au is now offering loans for self-managed super funds in a bid to capture part of the growing market.
Its SMSF loans offers an interest rate of 4.99% (5.04% comparison rate) – 1% cheaper than the equivalent offered by Westpac.
Upfront fees on properties of less than $1 million include a $600 legal bill, a $150 settlement and a $220 valuation.
The loan is available for residential investment property refinances and purchases up to 80% LVR.
Loans.com.au managing director Marie Mortimer says the SMSF they treat SMSF loans the same as normal residential property loans, with lenders’ mortgage insurance paid by the lender.
“Banks give SMSF loans a different capital weighting because they consider them to be commercial loans,” Mortimer says.
“We don't have a capital weighting on SMSF loans so it’s a normal mortgage deal with the risk spread across our mortgage portfolio rather than a riskier commercial portfolio.''
Government bodies have recently being sounding warnings about growing debt in the SMSF sector.
Both the Reserve Bank and the government have hinted at a <a href="/news">crackdown on the self-managed superannuation sector</a>, with both entities saying they are concerned about the number of property investments being made in the industry.
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awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Loans.com.au offers first SMSF loan

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Many young potential property buyers are willing to forego a first-home owners grant in favour of buying an investment property as opposed to a home, according to a Mortgage Choice survey.
More than 40% of generation Y respondents to the first time property investors survey said that their planned investment property will be their first ever property purchase.
Most generation Y respondents, born between 1980 and 1994, were motivated to purchase their first investment property by the need to set themselves up financially for the future.
"Gen Ys appear to be financially switched-on and are focusing on property investment,” says Mortgage Choice’s Belinda Williamson.
Almost half of respondents said there is a perception that there is more benefit in investments such as property over the share market.
"This younger generation of investors is looking for financial freedom and they see more profit in bricks and mortar investments," Williamson says.
They are willing to make a number of sacrifices in order to realise their purchase though, with 18% of respondents willing to take on another job to make the purchase, while 41% said they would miss out on a holiday.
"Finding the right property is half the challenge for most investors; the other half is saving the deposit and settling on an investment strategy that will help them to achieve their goals," Williamson says.
"Our survey shows 75% of Gen Y first time investors were choosing to make lifestyle sacrifices to help them achieve their property goals. The top five lifestyle sacrifices included cutting back on general day to day spending, eating out less and limiting take-away food, missing out on a holiday, delaying a vehicle purchase and last but not least, cutting back on alcohol related expenses."
Photo courtesy of <a id="yui_3_7_3_3_1376553138701_895" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pistruiatu/">pistruiatu</a>/ flickr.
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Gen Y willing to skip first-home owners grant to buy an investment property

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Uprooting with ease
There are few people that can genuinely say they feel no stress when moving house. It’s a big deal. These websites and apps take some of the ordeal out of packing up your whole home and shifting. Maybe after trying these you too can be one of those people who feel no stress.
This moving company runs <a href="https://www.movinghouse.com.au/moving_home_checklist" target="_blank">a very handy checklist</a> for things to do when moving house. Ultimately it’s an ad for their services but it’s useful and well layed out.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moving-list/id316092879?mt=8" target="_blank">Moving List</a> is an app that has prepopulated moving lists. Allows you to check things off as you go and keep track of things.
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/moving-van/id357418069?mt=8" target="_blank">Moving Van</a> helps you keep track of what’s in each box. Take photos of everything in the box and it stores and categorises it for you.
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
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Vacations
Sometimes you need a break from looking at the property market. Everybody does – unless you’re Property Observer. These two sites will help you during holiday periods.
<a href="https://www.airbnb.com/" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> allows users to rent their own home out to holidaying people. You can use the site to find reasonably priced accommodation while you go on holiday, or make a bit of money by renting out your spare room. The American site started off in California but has since spread internationally with a strong presence in Australia. Prices in Australia range from more than $1,500 a night down to just $11 a night. Take your pick.
<a href="https://www.homeaway.com.au/" target="_blank">Home Away</a> the holiday site tied to realestate.com.au has a similar offering. There are 18,944 properties in Australia to choose from and similarly you can list your own property for rental. It’s more geared towards properties run by hotels and resorts but it’s a solid part of any search for holiday accommodation.
<a href="https://www.stayz.com.au/" target="_blank">Stayz</a> is Fairfax’s contribution to holiday rentals. The choice is quite varied in Australia. A search of Phillip Island and surrounds returns more than 200 results ranging from $46 to $900 a night. Listing your own holiday property costs $164 a year + commission for each booking.
<a href="https://houseswapholidays.com.au/" target="_blank">House Swap Holidays</a> is a website that allows users to swap houses for easy holidays. You can browse the listings for free and there are some good offerings up there. Melbourne alone has many options – some better than others.
<a href="https://www.homelink.com.au/" target="_blank">Home Link</a> is a website that’s been around for some time now. They have a huge database of people who are willing to house swap although it seems somewhat marketed towards retirees. A remarkable number of the users specifically preclude children from their homes.
Joining the ranks of house-swap websites is <a href="https://www.homeexchange.com" target="_blank">Home Exchange</a>. They claim the most international listings of any house swap website – 41,000 around the world. At publication the site had 1913 listings for Australia.
<a href="https://adioso.com" target="_blank">Adioso</a> is hands down the best flight search engine we’ve encountered. Run by a bunch of Melbournians this upstart is set to explode. It trawls the websites of every budget airline to find the absolute cheapest flights imaginable and present it in a simple form. It’s a natural language search engine which means you can type in “Sydney to Perth in late March” and it will bring up a list of the cheapest flights to Perth in late March. 
Article continues on next page. Please click below.      
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Websites
If you need to buy property you look online. There are countless listing websites in Australia but here are the main ones.
Realestate.com.au is the largest property website in Australia. It’s where most searches for property begin and end. It’s hard to remember what buying property was like without this website. The choice of properties available here is genuinely astonishing.
One just needs to click the Inspections tab and put in a postcode to be inundated with open homes in your area. At the time of writing Property Observer put our postcode in and found four pages of open homes a walk from our house.
The site lists more than x properties for sale but it’s not just for buying houses. The site facilitates finding an agent to sell or rent your house, it provides access to expert musings on the property related matters, it provides search engines for travel and insurance and provides an easy place to buy off the plan. This is just the tip of the iceberg. The company is growing and plans are afoot to expand their international operations.
Their search refine tools are fantastic and allow you to really narrow down to the property you want. Property Observer particularly likes the eco friendly search refines which allow you to find properties with certain ‘green’ features. Use this alongside the keyword search and you can really find the exact house you’re looking for.
The site lets you shortlist your favourites and mark a property as ‘visited’ to keep track of which homes you have visited. You can organise your property inspection and auction times so you don’t miss anything
Their iPhone app offers the functionality of their website tied in the with smart-phone tools. It makes finding property a breeze. You can contact an agent directly from listing in the app.
When looking at rental properties the website allows you to apply for properties online, using the application website <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/realestate.com.au-australias/id404667893?mt=8" target="_blank">1form.com.au</a>. Gone are the days of printing 16 forms to apply for every house. It’s a real time saver and a great partnership by realesate.com.au.
Fairfax-owned Domain is the second largest real estate website in Australia. There is an overlap for many properties with realestate.com.au but Domain does carry a significant number of unique properties and it should be part of every property search. As discussed in the Alerts section of this guide the website is great at filtering out properties. The website is quite clear with its layout and you can do very specific property searches.  The quickest way to apply the many search criteria is through their radar search, accessible from the front page. The many filters can applied and then viewed as overlays on Google Maps.
The website includes a directory section which lists local businesses in an area. It’s like a stripped down Yellow Pages aimed at current and future property owners. It even includes a section for relocatable homes for the indecisive amongst you.
Being owned by Fairfax the website does have a strong news section including video news.
And of course Domain have their own app. It’s a handy app with all the functionality of the website built in, but not a lot extra. You can quite easily plan your inspection times with their Inspection Planner tool. If you’ve got a Domain.com.au account you can also sync your short listed properties so you never lose track of a property.
Realestateview.com.au is the third biggest property website, though it falls far behind the other two in terms of properties listed. However, it makes up for its lack of numbers with its slick interface. Where the other two main players sometimes seem to place property information wherever it may fall in an mid-2000s MySpace style hodgepodge, Real Estate View lays things in a pleasant and intelligible way. The search criteria aren’t quite as discerning as Domain but they do the job.
There is a great selection of market data available on the site, some of it free, some it costs. The website also runs a competitor to Gumtree’s online classified ads section which is worth a quick look.
Real Estate View also run Rural View which is the rural counterpart to the website with a great selection of hobby farms but a little lacking in the larger stations.
Ultimately Real Estate View a much more pleasant site to use than either realestate.com.au or domain.com.au but it just doesn’t have quite the selection of properties as the other two main players.
They have also recently released a new mobile app. The app comes with the expected features for finding properties for sale but in a predictably smoother way. Where the app excels though is in its presentation of suburb information. There’s a section of the app devoted to market information about areas that is incredibly intuitive and easy to understand. It comes with additional iPad functionality that really make use of the extra screen real estate.
Top 10
Here are the top 10 Australian real estate websites as ranked by Google Ad Planner. Google Ad Planner is a web analytics tool that allows potential advertisers to research what are the biggest sites. These sites are ranked by unique users.
<ol>
<li style="line-height: 17.280000686645508px;">
<a href="https://realestate.com.au/">https://realestate.com.au</a> 
</li>
<li style="line-height: 17.280000686645508px;">
<a href="https://domain.com.au/">https://domain.com.au</a> 
</li>
<li style="line-height: 17.280000686645508px;">
<a href="https://realestateview.com.au/">https://realestateview.com.au</a> 
</li>
<li style="line-height: 17.280000686645508px;">
<a href="https://homehound.com.au/">https://homehound.com.au</a> 
</li>
<li style="line-height: 17.280000686645508px;">
<a href="https://onthehouse.com.au/">https://onthehouse.com.au</a> 
</li>
<li style="line-height: 17.280000686645508px;">
<a href="https://realcommercial.com.au/">https://realcommercial.com.au</a> 
</li>
<li style="line-height: 17.280000686645508px;">
<a href="https://thehomepage.com.au/">https://thehomepage.com.au</a> 
</li>
<li style="line-height: 17.280000686645508px;">
<a href="https://reiwa.com.au/">https://reiwa.com.au</a> 
</li>
<li style="line-height: 17.280000686645508px;"><a href="https://homesales.com.au/">https://homesales.com.au</a></li>
<li>
 <a href="https://rent.com.au/">https://rent.com.au</a>
</li>
</ol>
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
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Xero
Personal finances can be hard to manage. All those excel spreadsheets and the multitude of bank statements can be an absolute dog if you’re not an accountant. And let’s face it, who wants to be an accountant?
<a href="https://www.xero.com/accounting-software/" target="_blank">Xero</a> is a personal finance app. While there are plenty of offerings around this really is an interesting contender. It imports all your bank transactions, financial data and online accounting and consolidates it into one very visual interface. It automatically keeps track of invoices and upcoming bills to help you stay on top of things. The software lets you photograph receipts and automatically upload them. It even lets you send invoices on the go. There is a guide on the website for configuring it for property professionals.This really is a great way to manage your money. 
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
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Yelp – divide with neighbourhood
<a href="https://www.yelp.com.au" target="_blank">Yelp</a> isn’t the prettiest website around but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great resource. Yelp provides listings for every sort of business imaginable. It’s like the Yellow Pages supercharged. It’s fully of user reviews for every sort of listing. It’s only recently expanded to Australia but it’s gathering momentum quickly. There app is well worth a look as well. If you’re in a new part of Australia and need to find the local hardware shop, technical bookshop or record store this is the go.
<a href="https://truelocal.com.au" target="_blank">True Local</a> is a similar tool that’s been around for a while. Use this site to find a hairdresser before you enter sale negotiations. Again they have an app which is well made. The reviews can be really helpful.
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
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Zillow
The USA was the start of the online real estate revolution and is the basis for a lot of property trends covered in this ebook.
<a href="https://www.Zillow.com" target="_blank">Zillow</a> is the ultimate app if you wish to buy property in the USA. It aggregates all the houses for sale and allows the user to search them in an intuitive display. Filtering results is exceptionally quick and simple. They provide quite an accurate estimate of properties if no data is available in what’s called a Zestimate. The site is the inspiration for many real estate apps available today and continues to drive technological developments in real estate listings. If you want to see what local listing sites will look like in the future, check Zillow. There are no announced <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/packer-plunges-%24330-million-into-american-real-estate-portal-zillow-has-he-found-the-next-rea/2013090564809" target="_blank">plans to move to Australia yet</a>…
<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/costargo/id438575593?mt=8" target="_blank">Costargo</a> is the American website CoStar’s foray into the world of apps. It’s an amazing front-end interface that takes a lot of data and makes it easily readable.
RELATED ARTICLES:
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/resources/the-a-to-z-of-property-apps-part-one/2014021867864" target="_blank" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/resources/the-a-to-z-of-property-apps-part-one/2014021867864&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=0ToZU9ikIc3boASt_YKIDA&amp;ved=0CAcQFjAB&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNEIkDNrNoLJspRNPCVLVfAp_yGeUA" data-ctorig="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/resources/the-a-to-z-of-property-apps-part-one/2014021867864">The A to Z of property apps: Part one</a>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/resources/the-a-to-z-of-property-apps-part-2/2014022367865" target="_blank" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/resources/the-a-to-z-of-property-apps-part-2/2014022367865&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=0ToZU9ikIc3boASt_YKIDA&amp;ved=0CAkQFjAC&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNEY2vpY9iVW4yjHbPd0kv_sFUw5ZA" data-ctorig="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/resources/the-a-to-z-of-property-apps-part-2/2014022367865">The A to Z of property apps: Part two</a>
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/the-a-to-z-of-property-apps-part-three/2014030267866" target="_blank" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/the-a-to-z-of-property-apps-part-three/2014030267866&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=0ToZU9ikIc3boASt_YKIDA&amp;ved=0CAYQFjAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNFLNUjgvNImqRF-mySDcJASOGen7g" data-ctorig="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/the-a-to-z-of-property-apps-part-three/2014030267866">The A to Z of property apps: Part three</a>                        
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The A to Z of property apps: Part four

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The Australian Securities and Investment Commission says some real estate agents are offering kickbacks to financial advisers to advise investors to use an SMSF to purchase the real estate agents' properties.
It says financial advisers may be banned from receiving them under the Future of Financial Advice reforms.
“This is because the commissions or benefits could reasonably be expected to influence the financial product advice given to retail clients,” the agency says.
Meanwhile it has warned real estate agents off advising their clients to invest in property using a self-managed super fund.
“ASIC is concerned that with the increased popularity of SMSFs and property investment, real estate agents may not realise they are providing financial product advice and need an Australian financial services licence when making recommendations or statements of opinion to a person to use an SMSF to invest in property,” it says.
Individuals caught face fines of up to $34,000 or two years imprisonment while companies face fines of up to $170,000.
‘We want to ensure the SMSF sector remains healthy and vibrant so investors can be confident that, if they are receiving advice about investing through an SMSF, their adviser holds an Australian financial services licence and is aware of its obligations’, ASIC Commissioner  Greg Tanzer says.
It wrote to the Real Estate Institute of Australia to clarify regulations with agents.
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ASIC warns real estate agents: stop spruiking SMSFs

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Australian Securities and Investments Commission needs to clamp down on rogue self-managed super fund (SMSF) advisers, according to wealth advisory group Chan &amp; Naylor.
Its director of financial planning, David Hasib, says the relatively new nature of SMSF products means regulation is lagging behind.
“Australia’s financial landscape has grown dramatically in its diversity and complexity over the years, yet education requirements for advisers have lagged,” says Hasib.
“It should not be acceptable to play the role of financial adviser in the general sense – the industry is evolving so quickly that it requires specialised advisers that are up to date and add real long-term value to clients.”
He says a lack of regulation means anyone can be an SMSF adviser and many don’t advise clients of potential pitfalls of SMSFs.
“A quick internet search will reveal the growing numbers of online spruikers, bearing no relevant qualifications at all, who are cashing in on the new SMSF market,” says Hasib.
“The problem is detrimental to those on the receiving end of uninformed advice, as well as the reputation and integrity of an otherwise healthy industry which will find itself tarred with the same brush.”
He recommends minimum qualification levels and increased professional development hours with penalties for those operate without them.
Andrea Slattery, CEO at SPAA, the peak body for SMSF advisers, says trustees should always seek out SPAA members for advice.
"There are so many people getting into the industry who see it as an opportunity and there's a need for trustees to seek out genuine specialists and SPAA members are the only ones who have undergone rigorous training," Slattery says.
Slattery says ASIC and the ATO are increasingly moving towards regulation for SMSF advisers.
"We believe there is a need for people to do more to work towards accreditation and to get recognition. The ATO have already increased their powers and will be increasing their further to regulate the sector."
"Right now there are people that are providing services in Australia that are not specialists and may not be competent with the complex rules around advice advice in SMSF and what we're trying to do is build integrity in the industry and advise trustees to use a specialist adviser."
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Clamp down on rogue SMSF advisers: Chan & Naylor

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New South Wales and Victoria were neck and neck in the top 10 sales this week, but NSW just came out ahead with five appearances on the list and a top sale of $3.91 million in Bellevue Hill. Victoria appeared four times and ACT came in just once.
<ol>
<li>19 Cranbrook Lane, Bellevue Hill, NSW, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on November 23 by Richardson &amp; Wrench Double Bay for $3.91 million</li>
<li>98 Mont Albert Road, Canterbury, VIC, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on November 26 through Jellis Craig Hawthorn for $3.38 million</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-canterbury-108422726" target="_blank">1 Tumut Place, Sylvania Waters, NSW</a>, four-bedroom house, sold on November 23 through Ray White Sylvania Waters for $2.7 million</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-toorak-108534696">99 Canterbury Road, Toorak, VIC</a>, three-bedroom house, sold at auction on November 26 through Kay &amp; Burton South Yarra for $2.7 million.</li>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-seaforth-108242866">15 Gurney Crescent Seaforth NSW</a>, four-bedroom house, sold on November 24 through Richardson &amp; Wrench Seaforth for $2.66 million. </li>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Public/PropertyBrochure.aspx?adid=2008334557&amp;mode=Buy">3 Akame Circuit O'Malley ACT</a>, five-bedroom house, sold on November 25 through Ray White Woden for $2.5 million.</li>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hodges.com.au/real-estate-sale-4-lorac-avenue-brighton-video">4b Lorac Avenue Brighton VIC</a>, five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on November 26 through Hodges Brighton for $2,425,000 </li>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-kew-108530796">45 First Avenue Kew VIC</a>, five-bedroom house, sold at auction on November 26 through Marshall White for $2.35 million.</li>
<li>18 Bligh Crescent Seaforth NSW, four-bedroom house, sold on November 23 through Richardson &amp; Wrench Seaforth for $2.3 million</li>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.highlandproperty.com.au/selling/NSW/Sutherland/BURRANEER/House/1P2947">179 Woolooware Road, Burraneer, NSW</a>, five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on November 26 through Highland Property Agents for $2.3 million.</li>
</ol>
 
 
<ol></ol>
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Top 10 sales of the week: RP Data

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New South Wales once again dominated the top 10 sales of the week, with eight out of the 10. Victoria snuck in at eighth and ninth places with sales in Fitzroy and Armadale. L J Hooker Wahroonga featured twice in the top three much to the delight of agent Robert Ward. Almost all the properties sold on Saturday.
1. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-tamarama-nsw-2026/141209">10 Pacific Avenue, Tamarama, NSW</a>, seven-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 3 by McGrath Estate Agents for $6.45 million
2. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-wahroonga-108524691">54 Kintore Street, Wahroonga, NSW</a>, six-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on December 3 by L J Hooker Wahroonga for $4 million
3. <a href="https://wahroonga-real-estate.com.au/for-sale/houses-for-sale/22-water-street-wahroonga-nsw-2076-australia/">22 Water Street, Wahroonga, NSW</a>, five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on December 3 by L J Hooker Wahroonga for $3.65 million.
4. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-clontarf-108268496">13 Amiens Road, Clontarf, NSW</a>, four-bedroom house, sold on November 30 by Richardson &amp; Wrench Seaforth for $3.25 million
5. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-church-point-nsw-2105/141990">2139 Pittwater Road, Church Point, NSW</a>, five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on December 3 by  McGrath Estate Agents  for $3.05 million.
6. <a href="https://www.belleproperty.com/for-sale/NSW/North-Shore-Lower/Mosman/House/2P3576-250-raglan-street-mosman-nsw-2088">250 Raglan Street, Mosman, NSW</a>, five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on December 3 by Belle Property Mosman for $2.7 million
7. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-burraneer-nsw-2230/139562">10 Rutherford Avenue, Burraneer, NSW</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 3 by McGrath Estate Agents$ 2.65 million
8. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-armadale-108627796">31 Adelaide Street, Armadale, VIC</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 3 by Marshall White Real Estate for $2.425 million
9. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-fitzroy-108619676">157 Leicester Street, Fitzroy, VIC</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on December 3 by Nelson Alexander Fitzroy for $2.36 million
10. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bronte-108563811">21 St Thomas Street, Bronte, NSW</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on November 29 by Bradfield &amp; Prichard Real Estate for $2.35 million
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<img src="/images/stories/120years.gif">
The time the Burnett family has held their Buderim property before deciding to sell. In the Sunshine Coast, 157 Burnett Street is a 13,100-square-metre block of land with views over the Sunshine Coast from Bribie Island to Maroochydore. The original 1895-built homestead still sits on the property. Barry Ashby of Savills Sunshine Coast has been tasked with selling the development site, which is zoned as mixed housing.
 
<hr>
 
<img src="/images/stories/880k.gif">
The price one doctor paid for a medical centre in Ashwood. The two-storey, 288-square-metre building sits on 211 square metres of land. “We had solid interest in the auction of the property with more than 30 inspections and three bidding parties on the day,” says agent Ryan Amler from  Ray White Commercial Oakleigh. A local general practitioner bought the recently renovated building with the intention of being an owner-occupier.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/6point4m.gif">
The price paid for a block of 18 fully leased residential units, including two medical suites, in Sydney’s Balmain. The property, which earns a yield of 4%, was sold by CBRE’s Frank Oliveri and Peter Vines after more than 100 buyer inquiries.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/450k.gif">
The net passing rent of a 3,517-square-metre warehouse in Wetherill Street in Sydney’s Silverwater. A buyer paid $3.8 million for the property, which is currently leased to tool manufacturing and plastic moulding company LJ Wallace Group until December 2014. CBRE’s Cameron Grier and Michael O'Neill sold the property at its May 9 auction with three interested bidders.
 
<hr>
<img src="/images/stories/49494.gif">
The current rent of a consulting room in Adelaide’s Norwood. The 174-square-metre building comes with six main rooms and staff amenities and sits on a 556-square-metre block of land, with parking for seven cars. The property is currently leased to physiologists in a three-year lease with two extension options. They use the building as consulting rooms. CBRE’s Will Brown and Ben Younger will bring the property to auction later this month.
 
 
 
 
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Commercial hammer prices

The A to Z of property apps: Part three

There’s a quiet patch of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hawthorn-vic-3122">Hawthorn</a>, between the bustle of Glenferrie Road and the curve of the Yarra, that rarely sees change, and even more rarely, new apartments. But that’s exactly where <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pomeroy-pacific-quattro-corp">PQD</a> is planting Kooyongkoot: a deliberate, 18-residence answer to the question of what downsizers actually want.

“This is something this pocket of Hawthorn has never seen before,” says Fil Gacesa, head of sales at PQD. “<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a> will deliver just 18 large-scale apartments in the heart of Hawthorn. It is the true definition of resort-style living.”

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That scale is central to the story. It’s what allows for two dedicated lift cores, short corridors, and a generous lightcourt that draws natural ventilation and sunlight into every residence. It’s also what makes room for the sort of amenity usually confined to high-density towers: a fully equipped wellness centre with infrared and traditional saunas, yoga and pilates studio, cold therapy shower, and treatment room. There’s a golf simulator, car and dog wash stations, and extensive storage too, not bolted on, but baked in from the start.

But more than the checklist, it’s the design intent that carries weight. “This project has been many years in the making,” says Mark Pomeroy, Director of PQD. “Not just in planning, but in listening, to what our buyers and the local community are looking for”.

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That listening shows up in the materials, oak floors, natural stone, V-ZUG appliances, and in how space is handled. Penthouses feature private rooftop terraces with pools. Terraces and garden residences embrace outdoor connection. Inside, the layouts skew large and open, geared for hosting, not just housing.

Architecturally, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>’s approach is grounded. There’s no reaching for spectacle here. Instead, the building offers a sculptural calm, anchored by landscaping from Eckersley Garden Architecture.&nbsp;

“We wanted to create spaces that feel expansive, serene, and meaningfully connected to daily life,” said founding partner Chris Stribley elsewhere.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

That sentiment, calm, connection, echoes in the location itself. Kooyongkoot sits just a short stroll from Central Gardens, Fairview Park, and the Rivoli Cinema. Tram lines and schools are close, but the street is tucked, quiet, and leaf-lined.&nbsp;

“Residents of Kooyongkoot will be a short stroll from Fairview Park, Central Gardens, and the Glenferrie Road retail strip," Gacesa notes, "but you're also cocooned in this peaceful pocket behind extensive landscaping by Eckersley Garden Architecture.”

Kooyongkoot is set for completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Staff Writer

The project that said no to compromise: Inside Kooyongkoot, Hawthorn

When long-time Ivanhoe locals Graeme and Catherine, decided it was time to downsize, they weren’t necessarily in a rush.&nbsp;

Like many in their stage of life, they had started thinking about apartment living, but anticipated making the shift in two to three years.

That timeline changed when they visited <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe">Candela</a>, a new boutique development by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>. The project ticked all the boxes they were looking for: location, quality design, and long-term lifestyle benefits, which prompted them to bring their decision forward.

“It was the right place at the right time,” they said. “We knew immediately it ticked all the boxes, and we didn’t want to wait.”

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Their decision to downsize was driven by a combination of practical needs and lifestyle considerations. Their existing home, while much loved, had become increasingly difficult to maintain. It spanned multiple levels, included extensive front and back gardens, and was starting to show the wear that comes with age.&nbsp;

They were looking for a more manageable lifestyle, one with less upkeep and more freedom. A brand-new apartment with no maintenance requirements and the ability to simply “lock up and leave” gave them peace of mind and a greater sense of control over their future.

Financially, the purchase made sense as well. The available stamp duty savings, strong price-to-value offering, and timing of the settlement suited their plans, making the transition smoother and more cost-effective. The apartment's design and inclusions further supported their choice.

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The layout was both functional and flexible: three bedrooms, a butler’s pantry, a separate laundry, and a large open-plan living area. It gave them the freedom to host a family, accommodate guests, or set up a home office. The expansive balcony and elevated views added to the appeal, providing a sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.

“It just had a really good flow,” Catherine noted, something they found lacking in many other apartments they’d considered, particularly in the established market.

Candela’s boutique scale was another deciding factor. With a smaller number of residences and a top-floor penthouse position, the couple felt the development offered the privacy and space they were looking for, without feeling isolated.

“We liked that it wasn’t a huge development. It felt well-balanced, modern but still with a sense of community, not overwhelming,” they said.

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Equally important was the ability to remain in Ivanhoe, a suburb they know well and have deep roots in. After 46 years in the area, proximity to local parks, shops, and familiar faces mattered just as much as the apartment itself.

“We didn’t want to give up the community we’ve known for decades. Candela allowed us to upgrade our lifestyle while staying in the place we call home.”

With a Walk Score of 90, the village location supports a convenient, connected lifestyle. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/ivanhoe-vic-3079">Ivanhoe</a> Station is just a eight-minute walk away, and the neighbourhood offers access to parks, cafes, restaurants, and schools along Upper Heidelberg Road, all within easy reach.

Beyond the apartment, the couple also saw value in the broader vision for Candela, one that integrates residential living with public spaces and local amenities.&nbsp;

The development introduces 58 new apartments as well as a mix of commercial and social spaces that integrate contemporary architecture with the suburb’s existing character.&nbsp;

At ground level, residents will find a charming café and a lifestyle wellness centre, perfect for unwinding and rejuvenating. Meanwhile, the rooftop garden offers a stunning vantage point for residents to enjoy breathtaking sunsets, host gatherings, or enjoy barbecues with family and friends. It's not just a place to live; it's a vibrant community where every moment is an opportunity to connect and create lasting memories.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Why Ivanhoe locals are choosing to downsize to Candela

Mark and Roy Makari are expanding their presence in Sydney’s South West with a second major proposal for Leppington, this time envisioning a 900-dwelling mixed-use development just 850 metres from their previously lodged tower trio on Fifth Avenue.

Project management and construction management firm Creative Vision filed the plans for the&nbsp;multi-building project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/230-rickard-road-leppington-nsw-2179">230 Rickard Road, Leppington</a>. The proposal seeks to establish a new focal point for the precinct through a high-density, transit-oriented development supported by diverse land uses.

According to the Scoping Report prepared for the Department of Planning, the scheme includes around 900 apartments across multiple towers, including 135 dwellings designated for affordable housing. A mix of market and subsidised apartments will be supported by ground-level activation through retail and office space, a childcare centre, and a hotel, forming a comprehensive urban precinct.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="34797362-f3dc-4d84-8235-2657fc5f3bde" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Plan.png?VersionId=Uzckrz9tUpDQl5lX1_WMhjnv16bsr8wG" />

The Design Report by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studiosc-0">Studio SC</a> notes that the project “intends to deliver a high-quality, high-density built form that supports the vision for the Leppington Town Centre, integrating mixed-use outcomes and public domain upgrades.” The development is expected to be delivered in stages, although a precise timeline is yet to be confirmed.

The project will be assessed through a future State Significant Development Application, with the Scoping Report indicating the team will seek design excellence via a competitive process or through an expert design review panel. Early massing diagrams suggest a series of mid- to high-rise buildings framing a central landscaped spine, with emphasis on pedestrian permeability and public space.

The planning documentation flags a strong sustainability agenda, stating that the development will “respond to the urban heat island effect, incorporate water sensitive urban design, and prioritise active transport”.

<img alt="Mixed Use Development 230 Rickard Rd Leppington" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="369d7b54-1279-4cde-88ec-dcb215594414" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Podium_1.png?VersionId=QArL7B2kkLt63vl5xvL0FNV_ardAlez4" />

The proposal follows in the footsteps of the Makaris’ nearby Fifth Avenue site, where they’ve submitted plans for three towers comprising nearly 500 apartments, with 10 per cent dedicated to affordable housing. That project features commercial podiums, a childcare centre, and a new public park that would occupy more than a third of the site.

Both developments are situated within walking distance of Leppington Train Station and fall under strategic precinct plans promoting higher density housing. The town centre is undergoing substantial transformation, driven by state government planning reforms aimed at fast-tracking housing delivery.

Together, the two projects represent a combined ambition of nearly 1,400 new homes across just under two kilometres of central Leppington.

First look: 900-home mixed-use precinct planned for Leppington

Leading Australian integrated property development group, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a>, has released the signature penthouses crowning its landmark AURA by Aqualand precinct at 168 Walker Street in North Sydney, unveiling Il Magnate and La Divina as the largest and most luxurious penthouses in the suburb.

With prices anticipated to commence from $15 million, and each accompanied by a new Porsche Carrera 911 valued at over $500K, the residences mark the culmination of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/aura-by-aqualand-north-sydney-168-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">AURA by Aqualand</a>’s decade-long journey and the beginning of its final sales chapter. 
&nbsp; 
Their release follows more than $850 million in record-breaking residential sales and the building’s completion and occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=358868]

The Richards Stanisich-designed 284 sqm Il Magnate and 224 sqm La Divina penthouses, collectively known as The Icons of AURA, are conceived as grand luxury homes rather than apartments, with expansive proportions, elevated materiality and curated identities that reflect their status as one-off residences.&nbsp;

Il Magnate features a grande master suite, complete with substantial walk-in dressing area and ensuite, three other bedrooms, second ensuite and another bathroom, powder room, open plan kitchen, scullery, substantial dining area and generous living room divided by a feature fireplace, and a multifunction wintergarden, which is ideal for a study and adjoining office breakout space. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, the La Divina residence offers the same amenities, sans the powder room, on a slightly smaller alternate floor plan configuration.

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Each occupies half of AURA by Aqualand’s topmost 28th level, comes with four secure car spaces and pairs sweeping Sydney Harbour panoramas with large-scale living spaces, refined detailing and a level of craftsmanship and amenity rarely offered in the North Shore market.&nbsp;

Penthouse residents will also receive Etymon’s ‘Black Key’ private concierge and lifestyle management service, an invitation only offering providing the ultimate in bespoke personalisation, including a range of everyday discrete services, from dinner party management, grocery deliveries, pet feeding or plants watered, dinners, snacks and coffee deliveries, event ticket sourcing, right up to organising travel visas and international airfares. Rarely seen in Australian properties, the service provides residents the benefits of living in a world-class luxury hotel-style home, akin to The Ritz, or the Waldorf Astoria.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>’s Director, Kirsten Stanisich, said the studio set out to craft residences that feel profoundly considered, contemporary and deeply connected to their setting.

“From the outset, we approached these penthouses with the sensibility of a grand Parisian residence - generous in scale, elegant in proportion and designed to feel more like a handcrafted home than an apartment," Stanisich said.

“Their elevated position and sweeping harbour outlook informed every decision, creating a rare connection between urban sophistication and natural calm. We shaped each space with expressive materiality, sculptural forms and bespoke detailing that invite touch and interaction.&nbsp;

“The result is a pair of residences defined by volume, light and an inherent softness - refined, flexible and deeply personal. These penthouses are unlike anything else in North Sydney, offering a sanctuary of true luxury framed by some of the city’s most remarkable views.”

For Aqualand’s Head of Sales &amp; Marketing, Alex Adams, the collaboration with Porsche underscores the shared ethos behind the residences.

“Aqualand’s collaboration with Porsche underpins both brand’s sharing an obsession with craftsmanship, design excellence, and enduring value," Adams said.

“Our penthouses are created for those who appreciate the finer details and expect the extraordinary at every touchpoint. Including a Porsche simply extends that experience beyond the residence - it’s a continuation of the lifestyle our buyers already live.”&nbsp;

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Aqualand’s Managing Director, Jin Lin, said the penthouses represent both the pinnacle of AURA by Aqualand and an important design benchmark for the company’s future pipeline.&nbsp;

“These stunning penthouses reflect the purest expression of Aqualand’s design ambition," Lin said.

“The unparalleled design intent makes them not only the glistening crown of AURA by Aqualand, but the crown of North Sydney itself. They’re essentially a thank you gift to a burgeoning community that deserves this level of quality and architectural consideration.&nbsp;

“We’re leveraging the unrivalled standard set here as the foundation for what comes next, including our upcoming Anderson Street, Chatswood; 15 Blue Street, North Sydney and Central Barangaroo projects. Purchasers of these penthouses will essentially be living inside the blueprint of Aqualand’s future.

“These landmark residences demonstrate how far North Sydney has evolved and the strength of demand for highly curated, bespoke luxury homes. They’re more than penthouses, they’re legacy residences.&nbsp;

“With AURA by Aqualand now a thriving new precinct with residents well and truly settled, and our in-house world-class lifestyle amenity activated, Il Magnate and La Divina represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure an extraordinary piece of North Sydney’s future.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=30959]

Joel Robinson

Aqualand launches North Sydney penthouses with free Porsche Carrera 911

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/bokarina-qld-4575">Bokarina</a> Beach has quietly evolved into one of the Sunshine Coast’s most complete coastal lifestyle precincts, defined not just by proximity to the ocean, but by how residential living, local retail and everyday amenity are stitched together.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bask-bokarina-38-bokarina-boulevard-bokarina-qld-4575">Bask Bokarina</a> now represents the final residential chapter in that transformation.

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Over recent years, the Bokarina Beach precinct has taken shape as a walkable, community-oriented neighbourhood, anchored by beachfront access, Lake Kawana to the west, and a growing mix of cafés, specialty retail and public open space.&nbsp;

With Zinc Bokarina already delivered next door by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> (GVG), Bask is the last opportunity to buy a brand new apartment within the precinct, effectively rounding out a fully formed coastal village.

GVG has positioned Bask to strengthen that lifestyle framework. Ten ground-floor retail spaces are planned beneath the residences, extending Bokarina Boulevard’s existing activity and reinforcing the area’s everyday convenience, from casual dining and coffee to local services, within a short walk of the beach.

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The residential component comprises 135 apartments across two buildings, Mydas and Caretta, with a clear shift toward larger three- and four-bedroom layouts and penthouses. That mix reflects a maturing buyer profile in Bokarina, where demand is increasingly led by owner-occupiers and active downsizers seeking space, permanence, and connection to place rather than short-term coastal accommodation.

Design and amenity have followed the same logic. Residents will have access to a heated plunge pool, gym, private dining room with a full kitchen, landscaped communal gardens with barbecues and a firepit, and a shared herb and vegetable garden, facilities intended to support daily use rather than resort-style turnover. Pet-friendly features, including a dog wash bay, acknowledge both buyer expectations and the area’s dog-friendly beach, located around 250 metres from the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=141609 project_image_fid=333366]

“Bokarina has become one of the Sunshine Coast’s most desirable beachside communities, and Bask represents the very last chance to buy new in this location,” GVG Director Sam Gardner said.&nbsp;

“Our focus has been to create spacious, functional apartments that meet the needs of locals who want to downsize without compromise, as well as those seeking a full-time coastal retreat.”

Positioned between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Kawana, Bask apartments have been oriented to capture outlooks toward the water or the Glass House Mountains, reinforcing the project’s connection to its natural surroundings. With parks, beachfront paths, hospitals, retail and public transport already in place, Bask arrives at a point where the broader precinct is no longer emerging, but established.

Construction is expected to complete in Q3 this year, with apartments ready to move into this Spring.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=141609]

Alistair Walsh

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