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A builer in Perth, Antoun Garcia (trading as High Tech Construction), has been prosecuted by the Building Commissioner after he failed to meet a number of responsibilities under a home building contract.
On 28 November 2013, Garcia, who did not appear, was found guilty of three charges at Armadale Magistrates Court, and ordered to pay $12,000 in fines and $621.15 in court costs.
The offences were under the Home Building Contracts Act 1991, relating to a verbal contract. This verbal contract was entered into in September 2011 and related to $32,080 work required on a Camillo property from that date until September 2012.
The work included the supply and construction of a patio and games room.
The three charges were:
- Failing to ensure the contract was in writing, dated and signed by himself and the owner.
- Providing an entitlement for the builder to receive a deposit of more than 6.5% of the total, prior to commencement of the work.
- Performing the work without a home indemnity insurance.
Garcia had indicated a requirement for a 20% deposit, and a partially written, partially verbal, contract was created when the owner accepted the quote.
Building Commissioner Peter Gow said that the minimum requirements for contracts are clearly set out in the Home Building Contracts Act for work valued between $7,500 and $500,000.
“Consumers can protect themselves by asking for a written contract, ensuring they understand the terms and conditions before signing it, and checking they are not being asked to pay a deposit of more than 6.5% of a home building contract valued within the specified price range," said Gow.
“The Act is in place for a good reason; it protects both the home owner and persons undertaking home building and associated work."
Similarly, Roleystone company Howe WA Pty Ltd (trading as Total Roof Care) and director Stephen Howe, have also been prosecuted for failing to meet their responsibilities under a home building contract.
Found guilty of four charges at the Armadale Magistrates Court on 28 November 2013, the company was ordered to pay fines of $3,750 and costs totalling $351.15. As an individual, he was found to have committed the same offences and was subsequently ordered to pay $2,450 in fines and $351.15 in court costs.
The charges related to two verbal contracts in July and November 2011, for work at a Mount Richon property - with the first contract to the value of $19,950 and the second to $19,999.99. The former was for the supply and installation of a replacement roof, downpipes and gutters, while the second was for replacing a patio with a timber one.
The Department of Commerce notes that the charges against the company were:
<ol type="1">
<li>Failing to ensure the home building work contract was in writing and dated and signed by the builder and owner;</li>
<li>Demanding to receive a deposit of more than 6.5% of the total amount payable before the commencement of the home building work; and</li>
<li>Failing to provide the owner with the written documentation required for a contract variation.</li>
</ol>
After the owner accepted the first quote, as a verbal contract, they were told additional items would be needed for reroofing but that they would avoid putting these in a contract to keep the value under $20,000. Howe also requested a 50% deposit of the total amount payable for the second contract as a deposit.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jduke@propertyobserver.com.au">jduke@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Perth builder fined $12,000: Department of Commerce

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A former mortgage broker has now been convicted of providing false information to banks, which led to securing approvals for home loans totalling $7.5 million.
The NSW, Dural mortgage broker, Hee Seng Lee, 58, plead guilty to the six charges which included making false statements and providing false documents.
The loans Lee was involved in ranged from $160,000 to $1.5 million. There were 12 in total, including some in his own name. The false information related to the income and/or employment of the applicant, and included falsified documents such as payslips, tax returns and notices of assessment purportedly issued by the ATO.
Currently, more than 20 investigations are underway by ASIC involving falsification of loan documentation and loan applications.
On December 6, 2013, Lee was sentenced to two years imprisonment to be served by way of an Intensive Correction Order. This was at his appearance at the Sydney District Court.
The matter was prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
He <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/former-sydney-mortgage-broker-pleads-guilty-to-submitting-false-documents-to-support-%2475-million-in-home-loan-applications/2013080263817" target="_blank">plead guilty to the charges back in August</a>.The loans were submitted between April 2006 and March 2011, during which time he was a director of A &amp; H Vision Mortgage Group Pty Ltd, trading as H Lee's Finance Co and Loan Care &amp; Co. The credit licence for this company was cancelled on 3 January 2012.
ASIC Deputy Chairman Peter Kell said that any attempts to falsify loan documents and applications will not be tolerated.
"These actions can be significantly detrimental to clients," said Kell.
"We will continue to shine the spotlight on broker misconduct around loan fraud and false loan applications."
Just today, ASIC also announced a permanent ban of a former mortgage broker from engaging in credit activities or providing financial services following a criminal conviction in January.
Daniel Minh Tuan Nguyen, of Panania, had been convicted of 10 offences, including providing false information and documents to banks to secure home loans. These loans totalled in excess of $3 million over five months.
Nguyen plead guilty to these charges. He was the sole director and sole employee of M.A.I Pacific Pty Ltd (MAI Home Loans), Bankstown.
"Mr Nguyen’s conduct was not inadvertent or the result of a momentary lapse. It was a deliberate, ongoing course of conduct that he knew to be in breach of the law," said Kell.
"The banning of Mr Nguyen continues ASIC's actions to protect the public from the harm associated with falsifying loan documents and loan applications."
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Mortgage broker convicted of providing banks false info to secure $7.5m of loans: ASIC

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Finding somewhere to rent can always be a challenge, and it's particularly interesting that many take to Twitter to air their woes (we've all done it at one time or another). With vacancy rates at lows across many of our capital cities, this Christmas season it's time to put the shoe on the other foot and consider the situation that tenants find themselves in.
We note that the following tweets come from across the globe - it looks like the same problems are faced in many cities at the moment.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
I don't want to rent something beyond my price range and then hope to get a roommate, but finding a place big enough is a challenge.
— Fawks Beaumont (@fawksbeaumont) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/fawksbeaumont/statuses/410510532010315776">December 10, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Finding a three bedroom house to rent is gonna be the death of me. I refuse to live in a shitty neighborhood. But everything is so expensive
— alison hoelmer (@ahoelmer11) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/ahoelmer11/statuses/409169583451291648">December 7, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Finding a house to rent over winter break is actually really stressful.
— breanna kearns (@breanna_angela) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/breanna_angela/statuses/408681313387184128">December 5, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Finding an apartment is hard when your 18 no one wants to rent to you.
— Nicole Davison (@N031595) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/N031595/statuses/410016687485100032">December 9, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/Macfalconer">@Macfalconer</a> The house we currently rent is sold so we have to move, but we've had bad luck finding a new place.
— Lucy... (@stillphosphor) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/stillphosphor/statuses/409118905924190209">December 7, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
And finally, a situation that many of us find ourselves in the second we hit a listings website...
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
This went from finding a place to rent to staring at multimillion dollar homes.
— Paul Swag (@itspaultho) <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/itspaultho/statuses/409452099877867521">December 7, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
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The challenges facing renters

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A Cairns local is facing a 10-fold increase in their strata insurance premium following Cyclone Yasi, and Shine Lawyers is now investigating the situation.
Claiming that an increase in the strata insurance has caused a 30% drop in their clients' property value, Shine Lawyers noted that this is a wide-spread issue in North Queensland, with an online petition calling for fair insurance premiums netting more than 5,500 signatures.
Property Observer gathers that the strata insurance increase for this case, a unit in a block of 16, was from $3,600 to $36,000. The owner bought the property six years ago for $165,000, and a similar unit recently sold for $98,000.
Head of disaster recovery team, George Newhouse, provided the following tips for property owners in natural disaster areas who may also be fearing premium increases.
1.    Shop around – Don’t accept exorbitant premiums. Shop around and take advantage of any competition in the market by comparing quotes and asking insurers to ‘do one better’ than their competitors.
2.    Limit the scope of your insurance – Have a close look at your insurance cover and reconsider any aspects or extras that aren’t necessary. Seek professional advice if you need it.
3.    Use an Insurance Broker – Seek out the assistance of a reputable insurance broker with the skills and experience to locate appropriate cover at competitive premiums.
4.    Apply for alternative arrangements – Where a body corporate is unable to comply with their legal requirements to insure, apply to the Body Corporate Commission to have alternative insurance arrangements put in place. 
5.    Contact your local MP – Call on your local representative to look into the issue and consider whether wider government intervention is necessary. The options from here may be to call for an enquiry from the ACCC, request for the government to place a cap on the premiums that can be charged or provide funding to areas facing insurance hikes following natural disasters.  
Source: Shine Lawyers' George Newhouse The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/help-north-queenslanders-get-fair-and-affordable-insurance-premiums">petition, currently available on change.org</a> notes that premium increases are "driving homeowners to the wall" with units, large complexes and resorts often facing 200 to 800% increases and house premiums beginning to rise.
The petition is asking people to sign the following letter addressed to insurance companies and politicians.
These are the major problems we want you to address: 1. Increases in premiums of 200-800% for unit owners, and now house owners in North Queensland 2. Withdrawal of insurance companies from the North Queensland market 3. Transparency of commissions and payments on insurance invoices 4. Lateness of advice, in one case 36 hours to raise over $100,000
These are the effects on communities of the problems above: 1. Inability of owners to pay body corporate fees and insurance premiums 2. Strata properties needing special levies required to cover insurance premiums 3. Loans set up to pay Body Corporate insurance premiums, involving more cost 4. Owners either moving out of their homes entirely or into different accommodation and renting their properties 5. Mental anguish and depression 6. Marketing properties has been close to impossible, even though mortgagee in possession sales increased dramatically 7. Reduced purchasing power and rent increases
We need: 1. An environment created in which insurance companies can return to the market and offer affordable insurance premiums to the people of North Queensland. 2. The recommendations resulting from the Cross Party Federal Parliamentary Inquiry held in February 2012 to be actioned in full - all 9 of them 3. The Insurance Council of Australia to concede there has been market failure in North Queensland
We want: 1. Sensible and affordable insurance premiums for all types of properties in North Qld 2. Transparant insurance invoices showing all payments to anyone concerned 3. Competition in the marketplace 4. Insurance premium rises to be capped (as with rents) and backdated to 2010-2011 5. At least 4 weeks notice of renewal premiums to allow for the monies to be raised and paid
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/queensland-targets-homeowners-put-off-insurance-by-premium-rises/2013113066678">Queensland targets homeowners put off insurance by premium rises</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/insurance-premiums-to-see-some-reductions-due-to-flood-maps-qld/2013101665752">Insurance premiums to see some reductions due to flood maps</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/most-home-owners-lack-flood-insurance-as-claims-rise-above-%24120-million/2013012959015">Most home owners can't afford $8,200 flood insurance premiums as claims rise</a>
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jduke@propertyobserver.com.au">jduke@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Cairns insurance hike causes property to drop 30% in value: Shine Lawyers investigating

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There's often a culture of loyalty that has property buyers heading to their bank for loan, solely because they've been with since they first opened their savings account back in school. Sometimes, those looking to purchase also like to do all the legwork themselves, comparing loans and deciding which is best for them.
Undertaking all this legwork should always be something every investor or home buyer looks to do, however having a savvy broker on your team is a consideration.
Aussie Mortgage broker Renee Taggart explained that having a liaison between the borrower and the bank means that you might not have to be involved in the negotiations.
“There are many benefits of using a mortgage broker over a bank, with an obvious benefit being time saved by the homebuyers; a broker can do in minutes what may take a buyer several days to achieve in regards to comparing and choosing options,” said Taggart.
While investors will want to ensure they're choosing the right mortgage broker - that is, checking their credentials, their panel of lenders and their experience - it might just be a useful step to consider.
“A mortgage broker will research the best product and service offerings in the market, to enable buyers to find the solution that is right for them," she said.
“Brokers can guide buyers through what can often be a daunting process, and the best part is that they’re free! The costs for the broker’s service is borne by the lender that the buyer ultimately chooses to proceed with. ”
Five reasons to consider a broker 1.     Brokers do the legwork 2.     You have one point of contact 3.     You have on-hand support throughout the entire process 4.     They’ll get you the best deal possible 5.     It saves you time, money and stress
Source: Aussie Mortgage, Renee Taggart
There are situations where heading to a bank can get a better result, with one reader noting that they'd used a broker and, being self-employed, still struggled. They went and discussed their situation with their bank manager (in a regional area) and came to a solution.
While, typically, a payment is given to the broker by the lender, there has now become an increasing trend of pay-for-service from property buyers to brokers. This cost should be weighed against the potential benefit.
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Why consider a mortgage broker?

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Seven-bedroom <a href="https://www.runproperty.com.au/renting/rental?rentalprop=PR1086606&amp;force=yes" target="_blank">'Barford' in Bellevue Hill</a> has been listed for rent - at $25,000 per week. It's being described as one of the finest homes in Australia, and it would surely need to be to command this sort of price. However, it has taken a significant dip on its 2010 asking rental price, of $40,000 per week - perhaps heading back up to this cost over the busiest periods.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/12/11/bell]}
Apparently the listing is already attracting high calibre international celebrities, and business leaders, however it's hush-hush and Property Observer was not able to receive any information about the identities of interested parties. Rumours did fly around back in September and October that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt may have been interested in renting the home at $50,000 a week.
The property, available as a short- or long-term rental, has Rob Farmer, CEO of RUN Property who are listing the property, noting that they are looking forward to welcoming tenants soon to the furnished home.
The property is National Heritage listed, offering views of Sydney Harbour and Rose Bay. One of the benefits of the location, according to the listing, is the inability for paparazzi to moor outside the home.
Originally commissioned, and owned, by newspaper proprietor Sir Warwick Fairfax in 1929, it also includes two separate entry gates and a modern alarm system. It is located at 58 Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill and is owned by Ian and Maggie Joye who bought the property for $5,785,000 in 1988, according to RP Data records.
A synthetic grass tennis court, gym with shower, heated pool, terraces, balconies, separate three-bedroom house and two separate one-bedroom flats, are listed as the outdoor features.
Internal features include a walk-in wadrobe, veranda, "outdoor" shower, 3.5 metre ceilings, marble floored entry, fireplaces, butler's pantry, a walk-in cold room, a home theatre and a billiards room.
It is also luxuriously furnished, with hand painted wallpaper and dado panelling in a private dining room that seats 12. It's also noted to be 'pet-friendly' on the website.
Hired help in the property, such as a gardener or domestic assistance, is also included.
The property is available to lease from tomorrow.
However, it's not the only property asking for an eye-watering rental price.
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
 
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The Vaucluse home - $80,000 bond
This <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-vaucluse-411420375" target="_blank">address-withheld home in Vaucluse</a> has a "Price on Application" note, however, lists the bond as $80,000.
The five-bedroom, five-bathroom house includes a balcony, cinema room, guest suite, gym with spa, two games rooms, a six car basement garage, an infinity pool... and the requisite views of the city and Harbour Bridge.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/12/11/vau]}
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Sydney penthouse - $15,000 per week
Meanwhile, for $15,000 a week you can snap up a <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-sydney-411463295" target="_blank">four-bedroom, five-bathroom penthouse apartment in Sydney</a>. While the address is also withheld, it notes that it is in the exclusive Hyde development overlooking Hyde Park. It, once again, notes views of the Harbour as well as the Opera House.
Fully furnished, and with interiors designed by Archer + Wright, it's 900 square metres in size with a private lift lobby, a butler's pantry, caterers scullery, a separate cold room, underfloor heating, balconies, dressing rooms and internal lift to the second level. It also includes a 15 metre rooftop lap pool, a private steam room and a BBQ area.
A home cinema, surround sound to all areas and video intercom are also included.
It's available for long-term lease.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/12/11/syd]}
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Watsons Bay house - $17,500 per week
And in Watsons Bay, a <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-watsons+bay-402698465" target="_blank">three-bedroom, three-bathroom house is looking for $17,500 per week</a>. It's fully furnished, to-die-for beautiful and is directly onto the beach.
With a private deck, separate quarters for a housekeeper, it's gorgeous. It requires a departure clean fee of $500, and a minimum three week stay during the Christmas and New Year period.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/12/11/wat]}
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Mooloolaba apartment - $14,000 per week
Finally, this <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-mooloolaba-411833083" target="_blank">Queensland property at 801/87 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba</a> had us gaping - and not just at the $14,000 per week price tag.
Called 'Sea Pearl' and with views up to Noosa Heads, the minimum seven night stay level-8 apartment includes a media room, steam room, pool and a sauna in the complex. It has a wine cellar, and a large balcony. Lifestyles of the rich and famous, truly.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/12/11/moo]}
 
{module Which of these would you rent for the holiday season?}
 
<a href="mailto:jduke@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jduke@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
 
 
 
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Would you pay a $100,000 bond to rent here? And other eye-watering rentals

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The third oldest house in Tasmania will go up for auction on February 1, 2014. The 1813 home, ‘Montrose’ on 76 Montrose Road, gave its name to the suburb.
Constructed by Scottish immigrant Robert Littlejohn, who is noted to be a botanist, painter and teacher, and who named the house, it was later extended by politician, member of the legislative council, and lawyer Thomas Horne with a Georgian flavour to the second storey with iron roof. This section is circa 1830.
The original wing includes convict brick, Blackwood and Huon pine floors, as well as original windows and a handmade shingled ceiling.
Littlejohn named the home after his ‘back home’ property on Scotland’s east coast, and records from first fleet wills note that it was referred to as ‘Montrose Estate’.
An older listing notes that the current sizable laundry was the original cooking area.
The property is on 4,800 square metres, and includes a 105 year old bay tree. It has a price guide of $575,000 to $625,000.
“Over the years the property has been modernised and renovated and at one stage it was a Bed and Breakfast, while today it is utilised as a family home,” said selling agent Stuart Whyment, LJ Hooker Glenorchy.
The property has five-bedrooms, each with an ensuite, and it has been used as a bed and breakfast in the past even though currently it is used as a home.
The house also features a study and a library with built-in bookshelves.
“This property abounds with original features, such as a handsome Blackwood staircase, huon pine and Blackwood flooring, convict brickwork plus a very special long dining room with the original hand cut shingle ceiling,” said Whyment.
“While retaining its historic feel, the house has been updated significantly with a modern kitchen with granite bench tops and a top of the range gas cooker. All the bathrooms are updated and there is built-in heating throughout.”
The original stable block with six stables and a workshop is still on the site, and it is rumoured that the colonial bushranger Martin Cash would stable his horse at the site for a quick getaway.
It last sold for $330,000 in January 2002, and was marketed back in October 2010 asking for offers over $790,000, according to RP Data.
Design and Art Australia Online notes that Littlejohn came to Tasmania onboard The Ocean.
Thomas Horne, however, from Chiswick, Middlesex in England, arrived on the William in 1830.
His history is somewhat colourful, being the editor of The Colonist – for the malcontents – and regularly speaking out against the government and leading actions against them. His speculative nature led him to debt, with records showing he sold his grant at Cape Portland, purchasing lots at Battery Point and Glenorchy.
Due to increasing debts, he then took a role as solicitor-general in 1841. He then looked to resign to the Lieutenant-Governor Sir Eardley Wilmot to claim benefits from the Insolvent Act.
YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Tasmania's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/trophy-homes/historical-landmark-homes-for-sale-in-tasmania/2013110766224">five most breathtaking homes on the market Historical landmark homes for sale </a>in Tasmania<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/tasmania/tasmania-s-five-most-breathtaking-homes-on-the-market/2013120866841?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=topstories"></a>
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jduke@propertyobserver.com.au">jduke@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Tasmania's third oldest home, stable to notorious bushranger Martin Cash, hits market

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The concept of what happens behind closed doors and shut blinds is a source of fascination for many in the world. However, flip it around, what if your house was the one broadcasting about your day-to-day activities. Imagine if the home was its own fly on the wall, and potentially its own personality (what if it thinks your taste in lampshades sucks, and the colour you've painted its ceiling is painful), and the sort of exciting dialogue you might then hear.
One man, with a similar idea, decided to rig up his Abbey Street, San Francisco home to do something very similar. His home is currently tweeting, based on sensors and pre-sent topics, about goins on in the home each day.
This below, from five hours prior to publishing, is amusing.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Tom just weighed himself. I'm going to leave it up to him to tell you if it's good news though.
— House of Coates (@houseofcoates) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/houseofcoates/statuses/410111130242400256">December 9, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
 And it responds to the temperature as well.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
Gosh, it's getting chilly outside. It must be 37F (that's 3°C). If I had a nest I'd turn on the heating. Hint hint.
— House of Coates (@houseofcoates) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/houseofcoates/statuses/408849353030500352">December 6, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
 Technology Review explained how to rig up your home to do the same thing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.technologyreview.com/news/514941/home-tweet-home-a-house-with-its-own-voice-on-twitter/">via this post</a>. It gets a little bit strange (telling followers when owner Ben Coates has arrived home, or where he is visiting e.g. the coffee shop), but it's just generally amusing. Apparently he spent a few hundred dollars rigging up his home to do this (with products purchased from Amazon).
In serious reality, however, Coates noted that he thinks there are wider applications for this technology - including as a sort of social-media powered home security system using motion sensors and cameras.
This isn't the first time a house has been Twitter-connected (should we call it a Tweep?), with Andy Stanford-Clark from the UK having rigged up his cottage to do something similar in 2009. He connected sensors to everyday items to record similar things, and allowed each item to be a little tongue in cheek - picture a lamp telling you it's "turned on right now" - explains <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1195055/Now-houses-tweet--homeowner-wires-cottage-Twitter">the Daily Mail</a>.
It similarly provides a security purpose, but also helps with electricity consumption and shows water usage. Unfortunately, his tweets are protected as they are for his own use, so we can't share them here.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jduke@propertyobserver.com.au">jduke@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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The walls have eyes: What would your home say about you?

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Highton Manor, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-vic-mansfield-7605403" target="_blank">140 Highton Lane, Mansfield, Victoria</a>, is a recently listed subdivision and business opportunity that has a romantic backdrop.
The Italian-facaded 1896 mansion, set on 18 acres, has a Council Planning Permit for a 26 lot subdivision that would retain the mansion itself on 10 acres of land.
With gardens, views to Mount Buller, and Victorian feaures including a formal drawing room, two cellars, open fireplaces and a tower. The tower houses a bedroom with en-suite and spa.
The seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom property also includes a small vineyard, swimming pool, motor court, stables, lake and rose garden.
It offers a range of business opportunities, including as a boutique hotel (which appears to be the current use for the property, including a listing in Lonely Planet), a restaurant for which a current liquor license and restaurant license can be transferred, or as a stately home - located near ski fields.
If the buyer intends to subdivide, architectural drawings for the planned development are also available for purchase.
The mansion was built by Francis Highett and his wife Deborah on a portion of land belonging to her father's 'Greenvale'. It was based on Highton House in Geelong, built by grazier John Highett, which was itself a replica of an ancestral home in England's Dorset.
Highett House later became the Montpellier vineyard, hotel and picnic area.
Highton Manor was the first two-storey brick house in the area, and it took nearly 20 years to get the property built to standard with all of the bricks quarried on the property and handmade locally.
Due to some complications over Francis Highett's father's will prior to this time, he was left with very little money, however had many opportunities - including going on to win the Victorian tennis championships in 1880 and 1881, and singing duets with Dame Nellie Melba - whose own property and connections has been <a target="_blank" href="/news">a subject of much discussion on Property Observer</a>.
Highett also performed as a soloist at St Paul's Cathedral in London. Having then met Deborah Griffiths at a Government House Ball, and maryring, they built the Manor on her father's farm.
The current owners are <a href="https://www.hightonmanor.com.au/" target="_blank">called Christine and Joseph on the website</a>, who have provided an activities list including hot air ballooning, horse riding, four wheel drive safaris and white water rafting.
RP Data notes the property last transacted in November 1996 for $675,000.
jduke@propertyobserver.com.au
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Highton Manor presents subdivision opportunity with historical romance

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Five-bedroom, five-bathroom <a href="https://www.rtedgar.com.au/?pagecall=property&amp;propertyID=2539218&amp;agentID=2471&amp;realestate=410_Ochiltrees_Road_ROMSEY_VIC_3434&amp;showGoBack=true" target="_blank">Deepfields, on 410 Ochiltrees Road, Romsey</a>, Victoria, is a 690 acre property with three titles and a grand back story.
The listing notes that it has been owned by just five different people since it was built in circa 1854, and that the last owners were Sir Kenneth and Lady Luke, whose family have owned it since purchase in 1942.
Sir Kenneth was the president of the Carlton Football Club from 1938 to 1955, and a slightly lesser known aspect to his life was horse racing.
This renowned breeding and 'fattening' property, with a farming opportunity, sits 70 kilometres from Melbourne and has been the home to a number of the nation's substantial horses.
Racing their horses under the FF prefix, Sir Kenneth and Lady Luke won the Williamstown Cup with Fighting Force, a horse who was a favourite for the Melbourne Cup and one of those in the Derby Day 1956 photo in the Hotham Handicap triple dead heat.
The property famously sent two bulls, Deepfields Keilor and Deepfields Leader, to Lord Hereford in the UK.
"Luke extended his interests after 1945. He had purchased the property, Deepfields, at Romsey as a weekend retreat, but the city-bred industrialist developed a passion for farming and made it a champion Dorset Horn and Poll Hereford stud," notes the <a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/luke-sir-kenneth-george-ken-10870" target="_blank">Australian Dictionary of Biography</a>.
"Survived by his wife and daughter, Sir Kenneth died on 13 June 1971 at his Hawthorn home and was cremated. By that time K. G. Luke Group Industries Ltd, with twelve subsidiaries, had sales of $17.2 million and an annual profit of nearly $3 million. Luke's estate was sworn for probate at $412,156. A stand at Waverley Park is named after him and a portrait by Paul Fitzgerald is held by the Australian Football League."
The home itself has parquetry flooring, a scullery and a sunroom, behind a bluestone gateway.
Two 1950s weatherboard houses are included in the listing as well.
Selling agent Rhys Nuttall from RT Edgar said that expectations were around $8.5 million.
The cattle yard complex has a capacity for 1,000 and has extensive shearing sheds, a large workshop, stable complex, two haysheds and a machinery shed, as well as 30 main paddocks, dams, troughs and a laneway system.
In the listing photographs, you can see numerous photographs of livestock. An article from The Age in 1972 describes the building."Hundreds of plastic-sheated ribbons line the stables and photographs of champions cover the walls of a large sunroom in the main residence," it notes.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/12/10/floorplan1.jpg" alt="floorplan1" height="313" width="470">
<img src="/images/stories/2013/12/10/floorplan2.jpg" alt="floorplan2" height="705" width="470">
<a href="mailto:jduke@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jduke@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Sir Kenneth George "KG" Luke's Deepfields listed with $8.5 million hopes

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

Jennifer Duke

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