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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

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/collingwood-vic-3066">Collingwood</a>’s northern edge continues to sharpen its reputation as one of Melbourne’s most compelling cultural precincts, where established creative institutions, leading hospitality, and independent fashion converge within a tightly held inner-city neighbourhood.

Set within this evolving pocket, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/derby-street-by-milieu-collingwood-4-derby-street-collingwood-vic-3066">Derby Street by Milieu</a> draws on a location that balances proximity to some of the inner north’s most influential destinations with the quieter, tree-lined character that defines the streets edging East Melbourne. Positioned just moments from both Smith and Gertrude Streets, the address sits on the periphery of Collingwood’s cultural core, offering immediate access without the intensity of its busiest frontages.&nbsp;

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Gertrude Street, in particular, anchors the area’s identity as a destination for Melbourne’s leading food, art and fashion. Within a short walk, venues such as Marion, Cutler &amp; Co, IDES and the Builders Arms Hotel define a tightly curated dining scene with enduring citywide appeal, complemented by a strong fashion and retail presence including Havn, Le Labo and a selection of independent boutiques.

Nearby, institutions such as the Australian Print Workshop and Collingwood Yards sustain a constant rhythm of exhibitions, performances and creative output, embedding art and culture into the everyday fabric of the neighbourhood.

Smith Street, running parallel, extends this offering with a broader mix of hospitality and nightlife, maintaining its status as one of Melbourne’s most active inner-urban strips.

Beyond these high-energy streets, the immediate surrounds shift in tone. Derby Street and its neighbouring blocks are defined by low-rise heritage terraces, mature trees and a settled residential character. Fitzroy Gardens and Carlton Gardens are both within walking distance, alongside the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum, bringing together green space and cultural landmarks within minutes of home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145576 project_image_fid=355985]

Connectivity remains a key advantage. The CBD sits within easy reach, accessible by tram along Smith Street in around 20 minutes, while also remaining close enough to walk or cycle, supported by the inner north’s established bike network.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a>’s long-standing connection to Collingwood underpins the project’s approach. With a portfolio that includes multiple nearby developments across Bedford, Peel and Napier Streets, the developer brings a sustained understanding of the area’s character and evolution. Derby Street continues this trajectory as a collaboration with award-winning Melbourne-based <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/studio-bright">Studio Bright</a>, marking the practice’s first multi-residential project in the inner north and reflecting a shared focus on design integrity and contextual response.&nbsp;

Balancing connection to the neighbourhood with a sense of seclusion and refuge, Derby Street by Milieu embodies a level of care and craft typically reserved for single residential projects. Comprising 22 residences across six storeys, with two to four-bedroom configurations priced from $1.15 million, the project is currently under construction with completion expected in late 2027.&nbsp;

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Joel Robinson

Derby Street by Milieu, at the top end of Collingwood

A rare new apartment development in the Blue Mountains is the latest in a string of State Significant Development Applications submitted through the New South Wales Government's Housing Delivery Authority.

A total of 270 apartments are being proposed for the 1.16-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/blue-mountains-alpine-retreat-142-150-narrow-neck-road-katoomba-nsw-2780">142–150 Narrow Neck Road in Katoomba</a>, a parcel of land adjoining the former Katoomba Golf Course. The site was acquired for $3.85 million in 2021 by private developer VDM Prime.

The apartments, comprising a mix of serviced apartments, affordable housing, and traditional build-to-sell product, will be spread across eight low-rise buildings, along with a separate building for a new restaurant, arranged around a green spine that leads to a central park.

<img alt="Katoomba" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ee9a2072-f465-44f1-9076-80c9c8ecca02" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-22%20at%209.20.21%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4bT0vQ7j_syl65wcrJmHGm3m5pTvwrY_" />

The Urban Design Report by Atlas Urban says the vision is to create a "contemporary mountain precinct that is responsive to its escarpment landscape, heritage character, and community context."

"The development responds to the current housing supply and affordability challenges identified under the NSW Housing Delivery Authority (HDA), providing a balanced mix of standard, affordable, and short-stay accommodation," the report noted.

"By introducing a variety of dwelling types and tenures, the proposal supports intergenerational living, local workforce retention, and greater housing choice within an area constrained by topography, heritage, and environmental protections."

Of the 270 units proposed, 52 will be serviced apartments. The remainder will comprise 54 studios, 121 one-bedroom units, 39 two-bedroom apartments, and four three- to four-bedroom residences.

<img alt="Katoomba" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f704508d-1bdf-4170-955d-0256652402a7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-22%20at%209.56.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=TzarHMO4gTOsblCqsbJQkvMqWj9nu2Au" />

The Design Report, by VDM Prime and appointed architect Antoniades Architects, noted that the design seeks to "provide a built form outcome that is highly considered, respectful and contextually fitting, whilst contributing positively to an evolving precinct."

"The site offers three frontages and the opportunity to provide a meaningful interface with the public domain environment. the design has a sympathetic response to streetscape and the green open space that surrounds the site."

The report states that the buildings are broken up to establish an appropriate bulk and scale, emphasised through height and setback strategies and defined through articulation that supports the transition of precinct granularity. It also notes that a central communal open space is established through the site to enhance the social dynamic and access to amenity, including natural ventilation and light to the apartments. The east and west frontages receive solar access during the morning and afternoon, whilst maximising views to the green open space.

The site adjoins the recently completed Yarrabee Katoomba development, comprising 24 duplexes that were completed last year and sold through McGrath Projects.

The relatively new Housing Delivery Authority pathway established by the NSW Government allows developers to submit State Significant Development Applications through a fast-tracked state process, effectively reducing reliance on local council approval pathways and aiming to accelerate housing delivery across New South Wales.

First look: Nearly 300 apartments pitched on former Katoomba golf course site

In Melbourne’s established inner east, the qualities that define a traditional house, width, height, and access to open ground, are increasingly difficult to replicate in new residential developments. Larger landholdings are scarce, and with them, the ability to create apartments that extend beyond compact, internalised layouts.&nbsp;

In <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/kew-vic-3101">Kew</a>, where the residential fabric is shaped by generous setbacks and mature tree canopies, that tension is especially visible.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ricdanic-investments-pty-ltd">Ricdanic</a>&nbsp;is bringing forward a boutique collection of just 13 residences across two buildings at 9–11 Wimba Avenue, Kew. Comprising six homes at No.9 and seven at No.11, the project sits on a quiet, tree-lined street just off Cotham Road.&nbsp;

Each apartment has been planned with a level of independence more commonly associated with standalone dwellings, balancing privacy with the efficiencies of apartment living.

Architect Chris Idle, who has been practising for over two decades, says projects like this don’t come along often.

“There are very few opportunities to do these kinds of developments in leafy, established suburbs,” he explains. “To get this level of amenity, natural light, and architectural freedom in such a setting is extremely rare.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366267]

The internal planning begins with width. Living areas extend beyond five metres, allowing furniture, circulation, and glazing to sit comfortably within the same zone without compression. Ceiling heights shift from three metres through to five metres in select areas, changing the sense of scale as you move through the apartment. These proportions are paired with double-glazed windows and fully electric systems, balancing volume with performance, supported by a 7.2 NatHERS energy rating.&nbsp;

From the main living space, the apartments open directly outward. Large sliding doors connect to private gardens averaging 125 square metres, with some residences also incorporating balconies of around 60 square metres. Rather than acting as secondary outdoor zones, these areas sit flush with the internal floor level, extending the usable footprint of the home and allowing for multiple modes of use, whether for quiet daily routines or larger gatherings.&nbsp;

The landscape, led by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>, reinforces this relationship. Across the site, 23 different plant species have been introduced, including a mix of native and established varieties, arranged to maintain privacy while preserving sightlines and light access. Gardens are not treated as decorative buffers but as functional extensions of the apartments, shaped to accommodate movement, seating, and informal use over time.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366265]

Architecturally, the project draws from Kew’s historic residential language. Handmade bricks by Krause define the exterior, grounding the buildings within the material palette of the suburb, while interior finishes, stone, timber flooring, and restrained detailing, continue this approach internally. Architect Chris Idle describes the intent as long-term rather than stylistic: “We wanted it to feel timeless.”&nbsp;

This emphasis on durability extends to how the buildings are accessed and secured. Entry is managed through keyless systems, with a double-gated basement incorporating number plate recognition for vehicle access. Each residence is paired with a private lock-up garage accommodating two to three cars, alongside storage, while all entry points are monitored continuously. These measures sit alongside EV readiness and fully electric infrastructure, aligning the project’s operational systems with its long-term design outlook.&nbsp;

The setting remains central to how the development is experienced. Located within walking distance of Kew Junction and close to established schools including Carey Grammar and Xavier College, the address benefits from existing infrastructure while maintaining a residential quietness that is increasingly difficult to find at this scale.&nbsp;

Construction is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/sinjen">Sinjen</a>, with a 10-year structural guarantee, with completion targeted for mid-2027.

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Inside Wimba Ave, Kew’s garden-scale residences designed for space and permanence

High-end Sydney developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen-group">Abadeen</a> has secured approval for one of its latest Mosman projects, one of the first developments approved by Mosman Council under the NSW Government’s Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy.

The approval represents an important step in delivering well-considered housing next to established village locations on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, in line with the intent of the Low and Mid-Rise zoning framework. 
&nbsp; 
There are currently 13 other sites lodged within Mosman Council under the policy, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/27-29-heydon-street-mosman-nsw-2088">Heydon Street</a> among the first to receive development consent. 
&nbsp; 
Abadeen Founder and Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the project reflects a considered and appropriate response to its planning context. 
&nbsp; 
“This approval demonstrates how carefully considered, design-led development can align with the objectives of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy," Brown said.

"The scheme has been designed to respond sensitively to its village setting, with a built form, scale and level of amenity appropriate to its local context. The determination reflects a balanced and considered planning outcome, with Council recognising the capacity for this site to accommodate additional housing within a well-located and established precinct.”

<img alt="Abadeen secures first approval under low and mid-rise housing policy for Heydon Street, Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="92811ce3-02e8-44fc-996e-c61ae039bd3e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Heydon%20Street%20Aerial.jpg?VersionId=ZHJVuWQT64QcdrFJx963pFWFzTX7lI2I" />

The Heydon Street approval followed extensive consultation with Mosman Council, with Abadeen working closely with Council throughout the assessment process.

The approved scheme comprises 27 residences, with only four per floor, creating a low-density living environment. The building will include four half-floor penthouses designed to capture views across Middle Harbour, Sydney Harbour and the surrounding district.&nbsp;

The project is expected to appeal to downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking house-like proportions, privacy and local convenience. There will be north-facing Middle Harbour views from the second level upward. It is also just a flat 100-metre walk to Bridgepoint Shopping Centre, which will appeal to owner-occupiers and in particular downsizers.

Two-bedroom residences are expected to be priced from $1.99 million when sales launch later this year. 
&nbsp; 
Joe Tack, CEO at Abadeen, said the outcome reflects both the quality of the site and the broader need for well-located housing. 
&nbsp; 
“This is a highly considered site within a highly established local setting, offering elevated views and strong connectivity. The project has been designed to respond to that context, delivering a scale and quality of housing aligned with both the planning framework and evolving market demand.” 
&nbsp; 
“This approval is particularly significant in the context of Mosman, where new housing supply has historically been limited. While it represents the first approval of this scale in Mosman to be achieved in over 50 years, it is importantly located within a well-established residential location, in close proximity to the established commercial amenity of Spit Road and Mosman Village. It reflects strong confidence in Abadeen’s approach to design, delivery and community integration, while contributing to the delivery of much-needed housing in a highly constrained market.”

Abadeen has an established track record across Sydney’s Lower North Shore, with recent completions including KOYO in Crows Nest and ENSO in Neutral Bay.

In Mosman, Abadeen recently completed The Hampden, with Mosman Residences on the corner of Spit Road and Clifford Street scheduled for completion later this year. Construction has also commenced at Burran Residences, comprising three full-floor ultra-premium homes positioned just 50 metres from Balmoral Beach, with residences expected to achieve prices in excess of $20 million. Two further projects are also progressing through planning within the local government area.

Abadeen secures first approval under low and mid-rise housing policy for Heydon Street, Mosman apartment development

Apartment developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/martello">Martello™</a> is one of the latest entrants to the Gold Coast development market, with its debut project set to be one of the most boutique offerings on Chevron Island in recent years.

Martello has unveiled <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aere-chevron-island-18-20-mawarra-street-chevron-island-qld-4217">Aere Chevron Island</a>, a collection of 33 large-scale two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments across an 18-storey building on Mawarra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367517]

The developer has placed a strong emphasis on wellness, briefing architecture firm Raunik Design to embed this philosophy into the project. It is a direction <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/martello">Martello™</a> plans to carry through its future developments along the coast.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/martello">Martello™</a> has positioned Aere as a continuation of its human-centric development approach, with a focus extending beyond amenity to the fundamentals of layout, natural light, and spatial planning. Promax Construction has already been appointed to deliver the project, with construction expected to commence in the coming months as part of the group’s broader expansion into South East Queensland.

Rising above the low-rise fabric of Chevron Island, Aere’s design emphasises generous internal proportions and uninterrupted outlooks, with residences oriented to capture coastal, skyline, and waterway views. Interiors prioritise open-plan living, with large-format glazing and carefully considered transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367508]

The upper levels are dedicated to larger-format homes, including four-bedroom residences designed as half-floor offerings. These layouts prioritise separation between living and sleeping zones, along with increased privacy and storage, features more commonly associated with detached housing than traditional apartment product.

Aere’s private resident amenity spaces centre on wellness. A rooftop level will incorporate a heated swimming pool, sauna and spa, while the rest of the wellness spaces throughout the building include a&nbsp;residents’ lounge, dining areas and a gym.

The inclusion of both social and quieter retreat spaces reflects a broader shift in higher-end apartment design on the Gold Coast, where developers are increasingly responding to owner-occupier demand for buildings that support long-term living rather than short-stay use.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367814]

Aere is positioned within walking distance of Chevron Island’s village centre along Thomas Drive, as well as the HOTA cultural precinct via the Green Bridge, connecting residents to parklands, galleries, and event spaces.

For <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/martello">Martello™</a>, Aere represents the first in a series of planned Gold Coast developments, with the group also exploring opportunities in other coastal precincts, including Kirra and Palm Beach.

The move north comes as sustained population growth and infrastructure investment continue to reshape South East Queensland, with developers increasingly targeting boutique, design-led projects in established lifestyle pockets. Aera’s relatively small scale and emphasis on spatial quality position it within this emerging segment of the market.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=143932]

Alistair Walsh

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