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Cessnock, in New South Wales’ Hunter Region, is a town 52 kilometres west of Newcastle.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the area had 50,840 residents as of 2011, with 20,901 homes. The area’s median weekly household income is $1,042, with median monthly mortgage repayments of $1,517.
Like other mining towns in the area, Cessnock has seen its primary industry, coal, largely move north. Other primary industries in the area include the wine industry, which in the Hunter Valley employs over 7,000 people, according to the Cessnock local government.
Tourism is another big industry for Cessnock, with the local government estimating that the Hunter Region’s wine tourism industry is worth $521 million, with subsequent investment and spending worth around $227 million. Finder.com.au <a href="/expert-insights/investing/the-top-10-holiday-hotspots-finder-com-au">listed Cessnock at the top</a> of its investment holiday hotspots list for houses this year, after the city showed the highest yield for houses of any of Tripadvisor's Top 10 Traveller's Choice Best Destinations in AUstralia. 
Facing a downturn in employment due to changes in the coal industry, the Cessnock local government is focussing on long-term, sustainable businesses to limit the area’s exposure to volatile industries.
Infrastructure investments, particularly transport links to nearby employment hubs like Newcastle, are hoped to attract businesses and residents to Cessnock. However, those infrastructure investments will come at a price, with Cessnock council rates to rise <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-04/resident-angry-over-rate-rise/5498710" target="_blank">9.55% permanently from 1 July</a>.
Some residents have taken a strong stance against other resource industries entering the area, with many, including the local government, refusing to support coal seam gas related activities in the region.
According to a 2013 study commissioned by the Valuer General of New South Wales, in New South Wales areas where coal seam gas mining occurred, there was no evidence of an impact on property prices. However, the report also stated that the poor availability of data limited the study’s conclusions.
The report also stated that “anecdotal evidence indicated that in some areas negative perceptions of CSG led to a reduction in the number of potential purchasers and an increase in the time taken to sell properties.”
Property Observer spoke to Australian Property Monitors’ senior economist, Andrew Wilson, about the area <a href="/news/nsw/suburb-spotlight-cessnock-over-2014">late last year</a>. He said the area had seen 4% price growth in the past year. 
“Given that there’s some dollar recovery in the resources sector, Cessnock will continue to be a reasonable performer into 2014,” he told Property Observer. <a href="/news/nsw/suburb-spotlight-cessnock-over-2014"></a>
Jurd Real Estate principal Alan Jurd said in November that the downturn in the mining sector had “taken the zing off [the property market] a little.” He also told Property Observer that vacancies were up, after a period of unsustainable rents.
He now says that the effects of the resources downturn on the rental market have started to filter through to the investment market.
“There was a bubble in the rental market, which wasn’t real,” says Jurd.
“There were some properties that were really inflated.
“A new four bedroom, double garage, 250 square metre home: at the peak of the market, you could get $500 or $600 for that. Four years ago, it was $400 a week.”
According to Jurd, now that the mining industry has moved on, as have work crews from the Hunter Expressway, vacancies are up.
A <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-cessnock-413443651" target="_blank">new four bedroom home</a> at Cessnock’s Stonebridge Golf Estate, pictured below, is now available to rent for $400 per week.
<img src="/images/2014/06/26/cess.jpg" alt="">
Jurd says that some investors were lured in during the rental bubble by property spruikers, who advertised inflated yields. But he says that the area is a sound investment for those with realistic long term expectations.
According to Jurd, the new Hunter Expressway may deliver demand from Newcastle residents.
“The driving time to Newcastle is so much faster,” he says. “So we’re getting some interested from that area, which we never really had before.”
The median house price for the Hunter region is $268,000. For Cessnock, the median house price is $258,000.
 Feature picture courtesy of Ian Armstrong/<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Suburb spotlight: Has Cessnock’s bubble burst?

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The residential towers at Sydney's One Central Park were voted the fifth best new skyscraper in the world by Emporis, a Hamburg-based building and construction data company.
The “international jury of architecture experts” selected buildings which had been completed in the last 12 months and were at least 100 metres tall, judging them according to “aesthetic and functional design criteria,” according to Emporis. A total of 300 high rise buildings were considered. 
First place went to London’s The Shard, the 87 storey tower which opened in February last year. The tallest building in the European Union, the Shard was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano with Adamson Associates.
One Central Park was completed in December 2013. Designed by French architecture practice Jean Nouvel with Australian firm PTW, the skyscraper’s standout feature is its plant covered walls, which are set to reach full growth potential at the end of the year. 
PTW director Matt Dobbs said One Central Park was a “dream project to work on.”
“Collaborating with the likes of world renowned architect Jean Nouvel is a once-in-a-career opportunity,” he said.
The other major feature of the skyscraper is Nouvel’s signature cantilever – a suspended beam or structure jutting out from the main building, anchored at only one end. At One Central Park, the cantilever is the tower’s Sky Garden, which extends from level 29 of the East tower.
The Emporis Skyscraper award is now in its fourteenth year. Previous winners include London's 30 St Mary Axe ("the Gherkin" to some), the Kingdom Centre in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and the Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower in Tokyo.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mode_Gakuen_Cocoon_Tower" title="Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower"> </a>
The top 10 skyscrapers of the last year, according to <a href="https://www.emporis.com/" target="_blank">Emporis</a>:
<ol>
<li>The Shard, UK <img src="/images/2014/05/22/The_Shard_during_its_opening_laser_light_show_2.jpg" alt=""> Source: Wikimedia Commons 
</li>
<li>DC Tower #1, Austria <img src="/images/2014/06/25/DC_Tower_1_September_2013.png" alt=""> Source: Wikimedia. 
</li>
<li>Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort, China <img src="/images/2014/06/25/Sheraton_Huzhou_Hot_Spring_Resort_exterior_night_view.jpg" alt=""> Source: Wikimedia. 
</li>
<li>Cayan Tower, United Arab Emirates <img src="/images/2014/06/25/infinity-ex-10.jpg" alt=""> Source: Supplied. 
</li>
<li>One Central Park, Australia <img src="/images/2014/05/22/Fraser05.jpg" alt=""> Source: Supplied. 
</li>
<li>Flame Towers, Azerbaijan <img src="/images/2014/06/25/Baku_Towers_43.jpg" alt=""> Source: wikiarquitectura. 
</li>
<li>Mercury City, Russia <img src="/images/2014/06/25/mercury-city-ine.jpg" alt=""> Source: Supplied. 
</li>
<li>Ardmore Residence, Singapore <img src="/images/2014/06/25/gallery_home_01.jpg" alt=""> Source: Supplied. 
</li>
<li>AZ Tower, Czech Republic <img src="/images/2014/06/25/Brno_tice_Prakova_AZ_Tower_2013-05-21_03.jpg" alt=""> Source: Wikimedia. 
</li>
<li>EQUAL: Nanfung Commercial, Hospitality and Exhibition Complex, China &amp; Tour Carpe Diem, France <img src="/images/2014/06/25/guangzhou-june25-one.jpg" alt=""> Nanfung Commercial, Hospitality and Exhibition Complex, China. Source: Hong Kong Institute of Architects <img src="/images/2014/06/25/Cot_esplanade.jpg" alt=""> Tour Carpe Diem, France. Source: Vincent4617/<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
</li>
</ol>
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Sydney’s One Central Park named one of the world’s best new skyscrapers

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Despite being Australia’s most popular travel destination, houses in the Sydney CBD have an median yield of just 3.33%, according to <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/" target="_blank">finder.com.au</a>.
Meanwhile, units Darwin, which is at the bottom of <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice-Destinations" target="_blank">Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice 2014 Top 10 Destinations</a>, have a median yield of 6.82%.
The comparison website analysed the country’s top 10 tourist destinations to see how their investment potential stacked up against their popularity with visitors. With a median CBD house price of $1.75 million and median rent per week of $1,120, the city’s estimated yield of 3.33% is the second-lowest of any city on the list.
Michelle Hutchison, finder.com.au Money Expert, says that popular holiday destinations present widely varied returns for property.
“It’s always nice to imagine what it would be like to own an investment property at your favourite holiday spot, but our findings revealed there can be a big difference between the value of return you can receive for the most popular holiday destinations,” said Hutchison.
“For instance, out of the top 10 most popular holiday destinations in Australia, some yields were less than half of others on the list, with yields ranging from 2.41 to 6.31% for houses and 5.33 to 7.77% for units.
“By doing your research on the most popular destinations and making an informed decision, property investors could be making more than twice the amount of yield per year.”
New South Wales’ Cessnock had the lowest median house price of any of the top 10 destinations on the list, returning the highest yield for houses at 6.31%. Port Douglas had the highest yields for units, with 7.77%.
“While holiday homes may be a good option for investment property owners, not knowing the yield of your potential property may leave you funding someone else's holiday instead of your own,” said Hutchison.
“So make sure you do your homework, compare locations based on potential returns and not just their popularity, and research investment home loans to ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck,” she said. 
Finder.com.au's top investment holiday hotspots: Houses
<ol>
<li><a href="/news">Cessnock</a>, New South Wales Median house price: $255,500 Median weekly rent: $310 Yield: 6.31% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Byron Bay</a>, New South Wales Median house price: $705,000 Median weekly rent: $670 Yield: 4.94% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Hobart</a>, Tasmania Median house price: $468,000 Median weekly rent: $435 Yield: 4.38% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Darwin</a>, Northern Territory Median house price: $903,500 Median weekly rent: $750 Yield: 4.32% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Brisbane</a>, Queensland Median house price: $959,000 Median weekly rent: $770 Yield: 4.18%  </li>
<li><a href="/news">Port Douglas</a>, Queensland Median house price: $500,000 Median weekly rent: $380 Yield: 3.39% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Airlie Beach</a>, Queensland Median house price: $667,000 Median weekly rent: $435 Yield: 3.39% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Melbourne</a>, Victoria Median house price: $993,500 Median weekly rent: $605 Yield: 3.37% </li>
<li><a href="/news">Sydney</a>, New South Wales Median house price: $1,175,000 Median weekly rent: $1,120 Yield: 3.33% </li>
<li>Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Median house price: $2,150,000 Median weekly rent: $995 Yield: 2.41% </li>
</ol>
This article continues on the next page.
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 Some of the cities with the highest yields for houses had the lowest yields for units.
The top investment holiday hotspots: Units
<ol>
<li>
<a href="/news">Port Douglas</a>, Queensland Median unit price: $184,000 Median weekly rent: $275 Yield: 7.77% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Darwin</a>, Northern Territory Median unit price: $510,500 Median weekly rent: $670 Yield: 6.82% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Brisbane</a>, Queensland Median unit price: $455,000 Median weekly rent: $570 Yield: 6.51% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Sydney</a>, New South Wales Median unit price: $598,000 Median weekly rent: $720 Yield: 6.26% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Airlie Beach</a>, Queensland Median unit price: $338,500 Median weekly rent: $405 Yield: 6.01% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Byron Bay</a>, New South Wales  Median unit price: $441,500 Median weekly rent: $510 Yield: 6.01% 
</li>
<li>Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Median unit price: $450,500 Median weekly rent: $510 Yield: 5.89% </li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Melbourne</a>, Victoria Median unit price: $414,500 Median weekly rent: $465 Yield: 5.83% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Cessnock</a>, New South Wales Median unit price: $259,500 Median weekly rent: $290 Yield: 5.81% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Hobart</a>, Tasmania Median unit price: $424,000 Median weekly rent: $435 Yield: 5.33%</li>
</ol>
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The top 10 holiday hotspots: Finder.com.au

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An adviser who operated in Sydney for more than 25 years has been banned from providing financial services and engaging in credit activities.
The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) found that Nigel Keith Flowers, 49, of Coolangatta, Queensland, had engaged in dishonest conduct while acting as a financial adviser.
The veteran financial adviser who specialised in providing advice to the medical professionals was the director of Flowers Financial Group Pty Ltd, now in liquidation, and Flowers Financial Management Ptd Ltd, also in liquidation. Flowers Financial Management’s financial services license was cancelled in April last year.
Flowers raised $1.475 million in funds for a proposed initial public offering by Avior Australia Ltd from long term clients of Flowers Financial Management.
Between February 11 and March 2012, ASIC found that Flowers improperly paid out at least $720,332 from the trust account that held the funds, with at least $696,138 going to parties related to Flowers.
After the initial public offering was cancelled, Avior put $30,000 back into the trust account to be returned to investors. But Flowers again improperly disbursed funds, paying out at least $27,000 to parties related to him.
ASIC found that Flowers was not of good fame and character and not a fit and proper person to engage in credit activities.
ASIC Commissioner Greg Tanzer said that financial advisers were expected to act honestly.
“Dishonest conduct by financial advisers undermines confidence and trust in the financial services industry. ASIC regards these actions very seriously and will remove those who disregard the law” said Tanzer.
Flowers has the right to appeal the decision. 
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Financial advisor banned by ASIC after dishonest conduct

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Houses in Perth sold for a median price of $544,500 in the quarter to May, according to RP Data-Rismark.<a href="https://myrpdata.com" target="_blank"> </a>
Quarterly house prices dipped 0.8% from the month before.
Property Observer looks at recent sales in Perth to see what $544,500 will get you.
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-yanchep-116276255" target="_blank">39 LONGFIN VISTA, YANCHEP</a> <img src="/images/2014/06/23/a.jpg" alt=""> This house was sold through Ray White Sun City for $545,000. All four bedrooms come with built in or walk in robes. The home was built by Scott Park in the outer Perth suburb of <a href="/news">Yanchep</a>’s Lagoon Estate development. Sharing the 659 square metre block is a self-contained brick granny flat. Price: $545,000 Bedrooms: Four Drive to CBD: One hour 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-victoria+park-115057519" target="_blank">51 Sunbury Road, Victoria Park</a> <img src="/images/2014/06/23/b.jpg" alt="">
A three bedroom home on a 300 metre strata block sold for $539,000 through Terry McBratney and Associates <a href="/news">Victoria Park</a>, who advertised the home as “in need of a renovation”. The vendors made a loss on the home, which they purchased for $680,000 in 2008.
Price: $539,000
Bedrooms: Three
Drive to CBD: 14 minutes
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-greenwood-116679915" target="_blank">19 Damson Way, Greenwood</a>
<img src="/images/2014/06/23/c.jpg" alt="">
Sold through Force Real Estate Duncraig, this home secured $542,000 earlier this month. The three bedroom, one bathroom solid brick and tile house at <a href="/news">Greenwood</a> was built in 1975, and is set on a block with a backyard, double carport and shed. The vendors purchased the house for $315,000 in 2005.
Price: $542,000
Bedrooms: Three
Drive to CBD: 35 minutes
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-morley-116475643" target="_blank">17 Telstar Drive, Morley</a> <img src="/images/2014/06/23/d.jpg" alt="">
Another three bedroom, one bathroom house sold around city’s median price this month, with this <a href="/news">Morley </a>home securing $545,000. The house, sold through Sammut Rosh &amp; Associates is set on a 739 square metre block, with potential to develop on the substantial rear portion of the plot. The vendors more than tripled the $171,000 purchase price with this sale. They bought the home in 2002.
Price: $545,000
Bedrooms: Three
Drive to CBD: 29 minutes
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-success-114820315" target="_blank">3 Mariposa Gardens, Success</a>
<img src="/images/2014/06/23/e.jpg" alt="">
This three bedroom, two bathroom <a href="/news">Success </a>home was sold through De Freitas and Ryan Cockburn for $535,000. Prior to sale the house was rented out for $500 per week, giving the property a yield of 4.86%. In seven years, the vendors managed to secure more than double their purchase price – they bought the home for $219,000 in 2007.
Price: $535,000
Bedrooms: Three
Drive to CBD: 35 minutes
</li>
</ol>
To see what Perth's median asking rent will get you, click below.
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 Asking rents have softened across Perth since reaching highs in April last year, according to <a href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/graph_median_rent_weeks.php?region=wa%3A%3APerth&amp;type=c&amp;t=1" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">SQM Research</a>. 
The asking rent for a three bedroom house in the West Australian capital has dropped 7.4% in the last 12 months, though rents are up 6.8% on a three year basis. The median asking rent for a three bedroom house in the city is now $504.10 per week.
These three bedroom houses are all available to rent at around $500 per week:
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-mullaloo-405313114" target="_blank">12 Angle Place, Mullaloo</a> <img src="/images/2014/06/23/f.jpg" alt=""> This home in <a href="/news">Mullaloo</a> is available to rent through Primus Realty for $500 per week. Purchase price: $614,000 Yield: 4.22% 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-southern+river-413349739" target="_blank">69 Elkhorn Avenue, Southern River</a> <img src="/images/2014/06/23/g.jpg" alt=""> Located in the south eastern suburb of <a href="/news">Southern River</a>, this house is available to rent through Primus Realty for $500 per week. Purchase price: $232,000 Yield: 11.2%
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-manning-413313923" target="_blank">4A Welwyn Avenue, Manning</a>
<img src="/images/2014/06/23/h.jpg" alt="">
This house, 11 minutes drive from the CBD, is available to rent later this month for $500 per week, through Access Property Management South Perth.
Purchase price: $555,000
Yield: 4.68%.
</li>
</ol>
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What can you buy for Perth’s median house price?

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Wendy Moore has nominated her top five favourite items from this season’s renovations.
The House Rules judge and Home Beautiful magazine editor told The West Australian which design objects caught her eye.
<ol>
<li>
The Rita print from Candy and Ryan’s house. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/06/23/Rita-Vintage-Style-Canvas-189x139cm-Selected-Stores-Only.jpg" alt=""> The vintage style print from <a href="https://www.freedom.com.au/homewares/decorator-accents/wall-art/23397224/rita-vintage-style-canvas-189x139cm-selected-stores-only/" target="_blank">Freedom </a>was chosen by Carole and Russell, matching the yellow light shades over their kitchen. “It suited the house rules perfectly,” Moore told The West Australian. Carole and Russell won the highest score for their zone in Candy and Ryan’s house. 
</li>
<li>
The ant-cap lights from Bomber and Mel’s house. Brooke and Grant grabbed some ant-caps from Bomber’s shed to create new lamp shades in their lounge room. Moore called the ant-cap lights “a really clever concept.” 
</li>
<li>
The bedhead from Adam and Lisa’s house. <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2014/06/23/Capture.JPG" alt=""> The <a href="https://www.heatherlydesign.com.au/product/waldorf/" target="_blank">Warldorf bedhead by Heatherly Design</a> that Maddi and Lloyd was summed up in two words: “luxury and style” 
</li>
<li>
The blackwood bench from Brooke and Grant’s house. Halston Joinery made the custom blackwood bench in Brooke and Grant’s entrance, which had a pigeon hole for each of their seven children. 
</li>
<li>
The bath from Brooke and Grant’s house. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/06/23/bath-june-23-one.jpg" alt=""> Brooke and Grant were also given a freestanding bath. "The <a href="https://www.reece.com.au/bathrooms/products/kado-lure-1760-freestanding-oval-bath-white-9502377" target="_blank">Kado Classic freestanding bath</a> from Reece fits perfectly within a 100-year-old farmhouse," said Moore. "A great modern version of a classic look."</li>
</ol>
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Wendy Moore’s top five finds from House Rules

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Ongoing fees to financial advisors and brokers are costing Australians $3.367 billion a year, according to a cash back provision company.
In a report commissioned by YourShare, research and consultancy firm Rice Warner have calculated the total annual ongoing fees and commission paid to brokers for life insurance, mortgages, superannuation and pensions and managed funds.
According to their research, each Australian pays an average of $1,808 per year for ongoing financial services fees.
Australia’s ongoing fee and commission costs, per person, per year:
<ul>
<li>$688 on mortgages (based on an average size loan of $344,221)</li>
<li>$404 on life insurance (on an average annual policy premium of $2,019)</li>
<li>$546 on non-super managed funds (on an average investment of $136,612)</li>
<li>$170 on retail super (on an average account balance of $77,980).</li>
</ul>
YouShare’s chief executive Ron Hodge says that many consumers are not aware of the ongoing fees.
“These ongoing fees are hidden to many consumers because they were either not disclosed or they were buried deep in paperwork when you initially bought these products,” says Hodge.
 “$3.367 billion is an enormous amount for Australians to be paying out in annual, ongoing fees to advisers and brokers for the financial products that most of us have, especially if you are no longer being serviced by your adviser or broker,” he says.
Click to open in new window:
<a href="/images/2014/06/23/your-share-june-23-one.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/06/23/your-share-june-23-one.jpg" alt=""></a>
Source: YourShare. *the sum of commissions has been used to show the impact on Australians holding multiple products. ^average sums insured are $450,000 term, $490,000 TPD, $245,000 trauma and $5,800 per month income protection.
YouShare offers a service helping people get cash back for hidden fees.
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Australians paying more than $3 billion a year in ongoing fees: YourShare

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Mortgages can now be electronically processed in all major banks in Western Australia.
Land transaction documents can now be registered online through <a href="https://www.pexa.com.au/" target="_blank">Property Exchange Australia </a>(PEXA), the first national electronic lodgement platform. Western Australia has now joined the National Electronic Conveyancing System, which is expected to save $580 million from 2011 to 2028 nationally, with the state receiving a benefit of about $80 million.
The major banks can now electronically lodge mortgages, discharges and refinances. The state’s first online transaction was submitted by Westpac on Wednesday.
Lands Minister Terry Redman said the online technology will make the property transaction process more efficiency.
“The ability to electronically register land transaction documents through an online platform will revolutionise the WA property and conveyancing industry,” said Redman.
“The days of having to provide large amounts of paperwork to banks for a property transaction are now gone - electronic conveyancing will reduce timeframes, improve efficiencies and productivity and provide sound financial benefits to the State and industry.”
For now, e-conveyancing is only available to the major banks. Settlement agents and lawyers will have access to PEXA in May 2015, when full transfer and financial settlement functionality will be offered in the state.
“This will allow property lawyers to transact with banks and other financial institutions to perform lodgements and settlements online, including the payment of stamp duty and other third party disbursements,” said Redman.
Landgate will continue to provide current processing services for paper-based conveyancing.
Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland can all lodge mortgages through PEXA. The first stage of the system will be released in South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory in 2015.
PEXA’s second release was launched in Victoria earlier this week. Full transfer and financial settlement functionality will be rolled out in New South Wales and Victoria in late October, with PEXA supporting new mortgages, mortgage discharges, refinances, notices, caveats and transfers including online lodgement and financial settlement.
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Electronic property transactions now available in Western Australia

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Brad Beer is the managing director of <a href="https://www.bmtqs.com.au/" target="_blank">BMT Tax Depreciation</a>, a quantity surveying company specialising in tax depreciation schedules for investment, commercial and rental properties.
He's also a property investor with a focus on long-term, sustainable strategies. We sat down with Brad to hear about the lessons he's learned over 13 years as an investor. 
The beginning
I bought the first property in 2001. It was an old, very rough, four bedroom house in the Newcastle area, with a big shed out the back, which I still own. Then I went straight into a serious amount of renovation.
I’ve done a number of renovations over the years, and that was the first one. I was up at whatever hour of the night, after work, whenever possible on the weekends. It was pretty ugly to start with.
I did that on the first one, and I did that on the second one. Then I bought some land. At that time in my life I didn’t have much equity. So I bought, I renovated, I revalued. I pulled the equity back out so I could go again.
There was a lot of buying and renovating; manufacturing more equity out of the properties by going, “This is a two bedder but I can do this, this and this to make it a three bedder”.
The fact is I just didn’t have equity at the time; I didn’t have any money. Hindsight is a wonderful eye-opener, and one thing I might have done differently was to use Lenders Mortgage Insurance on my first property instead of saving 20%, allowing me to buy two properties at the same time. It would have been beneficial in this instance as there was a lot of growth in the New South Wales market in those first couple of years, and in hindsight I realised I missed a chunk of it because I was trying to do things the “right way”. But you learn from these things.
On any renovation you budget a certain amount to do works, and even as a quantity surveyor, you live in a dream land.
There have been mistakes along the way, but did I make any major mistakes and completely ruin anything? The answer’s “no”.
Did I find bigger problems than I expected once I pulled the walls off? Yes. You’ve just got to allow for those sorts of things.
There are properties I own now that I wouldn’t have bought if I had my time again. That’s because I know more about investing properties now than I did back then.
I bought land at a time when I shouldn’t have. We had the GFC a couple of years later, around the time that I settled. It wasn’t the right time in my portfolio to buy land, based on the cash flow (or lack thereof) it was going to generate. I was speculating and purchased the property on its growth potential, and I had to settle when the GFC hit, which I was financially able to do at the time, but it did tie up equity in something I shouldn’t have bought.
Fundamentally, a lot of things I believe about investment haven’t changed. I would probably buy a lot of similar properties to what I have bought, even though hindsight can change things considerably, of course.
I don’t have the physical time or the want to go and renovate at the moment, especially not personally. So that changes the cost of things considerably.
My position is more comfortable now from an equity perspective and from an available cash perspective. The fact is, one of the keys to investing in property is learning to manage financing properly and having control of cash. I have control of more cash now through my property investing.
Renovation: A case study
 <img src="/images/2014/06/18/Before%20Reno%208.JPG" alt="">
Brad purchased this Newcastle home for $262,500. 
<img src="/images/2014/06/18/After%20Reno%205.jpg" alt="">
The home is now valued at $460,000.
<ul>
<li>Property in Newcastle area</li>
<li>Purchased in 2006 for $262,500</li>
<li>Two bedrooms</li>
<li>One bathroom</li>
<li>Spent $25,000 on renovations</li>
<li>Bank valuation after renovations $360,000</li>
<li>Rent after renovations $310 per week</li>
<li>Current rent $430 per week</li>
<li>Current valuation $460,000</li>
</ul>
<img src="/images/2014/06/18/Before%20Reno%204.JPG" alt="">
The house's kitchen, before (above) and after (below) renovations.
<img src="/images/2014/06/18/After%20Reno%204.jpg" alt="">
Article continues on next page. Please click below. 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 I’m not a “put it all on everything” kind of guy.
I haven’t really got any properties in mining towns. There’s a risk associated with that. I have the kind of portfolio where I could take some risk now, but I’ve just been too busy to find one. And I think properties in mining towns should not be an early part of your investing, they should be part of your portfolio when you have the ability to take some risk. They certainly have risk attached, but then they have high returns attached as well.
You need to learn a lot of things about investing in property before you invest in property. You need to learn how to structure your finance in a way which provides flexibility with cash, as well as control of your own journey or property investing “destiny”.
One of my main mistakes was not investing in property earlier, based on my risk profile at the time, due to lack of knowledge.
It’s all about gaining as much knowledge as possible as early as possible, learning how to manage financing, understanding what type of property, based on your risk profile, you should be buying and also what you can reasonably afford. I also did a bit of research into property markets, tax and that sort of thing during my university studies. So I understood that is a part of it too.
I learned by hanging around the property industry, going to property events to talk about depreciation, reading books and actually learning about the fundamentals. I’ve continued to do that over time.
Long-term investment
Unfortunately Australia, like any other country, can sometimes assume a herd mentality – especially with property investment. Buying in areas that have hot growth but which lack fundamental reasons for that growth to continue is not something that you should do. But we do it in Australia.
It’s why we have cycles in property values in this country. I believe in long-term investment – I haven’t sold a thing since starting out.
I want ways to create equity through property, including buying, renovating, getting extra bedrooms out of houses so I can increase rent and valuation, and getting involved in small developments. I’m in a bit of a construction phase through the course of this year. I’ve bought properties where I have the ability to subdivide blocks and build additional houses on those blocks.
I’m not operating as a developer who’s required to develop. I’m operating as an investor, with the ability to develop properties, should I so choose to. That’s taken the risk out of my developments.
If you’re a budding investor, make sure you’re not staking it all on being a property developer. You should have a fall-back position where if you can’t develop right away, you can do X. To develop you need a lot more money and a lot more equity. It’s not as simple as it sounds sometimes. Like a renovation, there are hidden costs.
You’ve always got to compare the development feasibility to the potential sale price of that property at the time you do the development. My fall-back position is always, “Do I like the property as an investment by itself?”
That means I end up doing small developments of course, but that’s okay.
I firmly believe in investing in property now, and in the future. I’m actively keen to continue to do that. A lot of my investments are in New South Wales, however I haven’t spread to wider areas as much as I’d like to.
In the future I will be investing in more property in different states and would like to practice what I preach: not following the herd mentality, buying in areas where I’m not sure whether things will turn around in six months or six years – because I’m here for 10 or 15.
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Investor story: Quantity surveyor and tax depreciation specialist Brad Beer

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No Brisbane municipalities escaped losses for property sales during the March quarter, according to the latest <a href="https://www.myrpdata.com/" target="_blank">RP Data</a> Pain and Gain report.
All eight Brisbane council regions saw some loss making sales in the quarter.
Ipswich had the highest volume of loss-taking, with 19.2% of properties sold in the quarter securing less than their purchase price. In Ipswich, the median loss was $21,000. The proportion of losses was second highest in Moreton Bay, where the median loss was $25,000. 
The biggest losses were taken in Somerset, with a median $33,750 drop.
Profits outweighed losses in all Brisbane municipalities. The biggest typical profits were seen in the Scenic Rim region, with a median profit of $170,000, and the Brisbane municipality, with a $140,000 gain. 
Some 10.9% of Brisbane homes which re-sold over the March 2014 quarter sold at a loss, down from 16.6% at the same time last year. The proportion of loss-making re-sales is at the lowest level since the quarter to May 2011. 
Click to open in new window:
<a href="/images/2014/06/19/brisbane-june-19-chart.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/06/19/brisbane-june-19-chart.jpg" alt=""></a>
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Losses seen in all Brisbane regions for March quarter, with Ipswich the biggest loser 

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Joel Robinson

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 52-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 52-storey tower, which has just shy of 250 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <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> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Jessie Richardson

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