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Auction clearance rates have improved substantially in many markets this year, John McGrath has recently noted.
"The clearance rate is up by about 20% on last year and hit a peak of 81% last week, acording to Australian Property Monitors.
"That’s a very strong rate of sale and reflects an increasing urgency among buyers to secure their next property before the market really takes off," he said.  John McGrath saud when there was an urgency in the marketplace, "it’s not uncommon to see buyers making offers on properties in the first week of the campaign."
He suggests with many buyers having been sitting on the sidelines for years, "they’re more than ready to get a deal done now that the bottom of the market has passed."  "We have been noticing a lot of pre-auction sales occurring in today’s market," he said.
"In a rising market, it’s to your advantage to secure the property without the competition of others.
"But if there’s a lot of interest in the property and market conditions are strong, the vendor will probably be more inclined to go through to auction.
"So if you want to buy prior, you need to play your cards right to entice the vendor to sell early," he advised on his blog.  Here are his top tips for buying prior to auction:
<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/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberonejuly11.jpg" alt="numberonejuly11" width="30" height="38">Tell the agent you’re interested and ask if the vendor is willing to sell privately. If the agent gets a flood of offers after the first open and you haven’t made yourself known to them as a serious buyer, you might not get the chance to make an offer.
 <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/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbertwojuly11.jpg" alt="numbertwojuly11" width="30" height="35">Let the agent know you have pre-approved finance. This is a very important signal that you’re a serious buyer.
 <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/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberthreejuly11.jpg" alt="numberthreejuly11" width="30" height="39">Offer a price that is close to your walk-away figure. Vendors will only entertain the idea of selling prior if a premium price is put forward. As with all negotiations, the vendors will assume your first offer isn’t your best so leave some wiggle room.
 <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/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfourjuly11.jpg" alt="numberfourjuly11" width="30" height="39">Waive your right to a cooling off period to show you’re a serious buyer.
 <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/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numberfivejuly11.jpg" alt="numberfivejuly11" width="30" height="33">Do more than a verbal offer. The best way of showing you’re serious is by signing the contract and attaching a cheque for the deposit. Alternatively, put your offer in writing and mention you have your finance approved.
 <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/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbersixjuly11.jpg" alt="numbersixjuly11" width="30" height="35">Offering odd amounts is a great tactic especially after making a couple of lower offers. For example, rather than offering $460,000 or $465,000, offer $463,500.  An odd amount suggests there’s some logic to your offer and it also implies that you’re at your financial limit.
 <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/stories/2013/07/NUMBERS/numbersevenjuly11.jpg" alt="numbersevenjuly11" width="30" height="36">Be prepared for a situation where you and another buyer are at the same price, so it will come down to a race to exchange. If neither of you are willing to offer more, it will be a matter of who can get themselves organised and in a position to sign the contract first.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

John McGrath's seven tips for buying before auction

Ric Herbert, best known for his acting work in the 2005 movie, King Kong and before that the 1995 movie, &nbsp;Babe, has asked&nbsp;Monica Shor from Ray White Unlimited to sell 18 Roe Street, North Bondi. There are $1.7 million plus hopes.

Its a <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/nsw/north-bondi/1000621/#.UedcexZT8_M" target="_blank">three bedroom, two bathroom&nbsp;Californian bungalow</a> with a dramatic cathedral-style extension on a level 350 square metre block in a quiet family friendly street a few minutes to the beach, will go to auction on August 14.

The family paid $1.62 million for the property in 2008.

The street&#39;s most recent sale was $1,525,000 for a modernised four bedroom house on 215 square metres, while prices on the street hit $3.53 million in 2010.

Last year there were three sales starting at $1.1 million. A $1,581,000 sale took place of a refurbished 1925 cottage on 432 square metres and there was another at $1,585,000 for a four bedroom 175 square metre living space, two storey refurbished house on 209 square metres. Last year&#39;s highest sale was $2,606,000 for a five bedroom house on 512 square metres.

<a href="https://richerbert.com" target="_blank">Ric Herbert, the frontman for local band, Get RicH</a>, returns shortly for his third season as the voice behind the X-factor. He played a&nbsp;sleazy producer in the Peter Jackson production of King Kong.

&nbsp;{qtube vid:=Z2lmS5vXyJY}

North Bondi's Ric Herbert Californian trophy bungalow

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A Perth civil engineer, Riccardo Rizzi has snapped up the largest unfinished mansion on the Gold Coast's The Sovereign Islands for $5.3 million at its weekend mortgagee auction.
There were 20 interested buyers for the mega-mansion at 26-32 Knightsbridge Parade East which sits on land that cost $9.44 million in 2005 followed by a suggested $12 million building cost.
After buying what was once billed as the most expensive house in Queensland, Riccardo Rizzi gave local entrepreneurial kids selling lemonade outside the onsite auction, $100 for a celebratory cup.
The house comes with an estimated 3500 square metres of living space so he told awaiting press from the local paper, The Gold Coast Bulletin he no idea how much it would cost to finish.
Professionals Paradise Point agents David Vertullo and Chris Moyer suggested "in the current climate it represents a good result, especially since the house is unfinished.''
Possibly not the best result for the ANZ Bank which took possession of the house after court action in Australia and Singapore to evict the registered owner Clare Marks and her husband Scott Tyne around Christmas 2012.
The Sovereign Islands' biggest and most notorious mega-mansion was repossessed after a chequered history and nearly a decade of stop-start construction.
The unfinished European-style home across four blocks of land on Knightsbridge Parade East is one of the Gold Coast’s longest-running property sagas; when construction began in 2007 <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/trophy-homes/sovereign-island-trophy-mega-mansion-for-mortgagee-sale/2013061362203" target="_blank">the finished product was estimated to be worth up to $40 million</a>.
Property Observer wrote last month that recent low sales along Knightsbridge Parade conservatively placed the unimproved land value significantly lower, somewhere between $4 million and $5 million.
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Sovereign Islands mortgagee trophy mansion sells for $5.3 million to Perth  civil engineeer

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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has taken the family's Canberra home off the market.
The Mueller Street, Yarralumla house was listed with a $2,250,000 price tag in May.
''It's off the market for the time being,'' Peter Blackshaw agent Shane Killalea said.
But the agent did not provide further comments to the local paper as to why the home had been taken off the market.
The Rudd family vacated the house in late 2011 following son Marcus' school completion and it had been leased out until about May this year.
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Kevin Rudd withdraws Canberra house from the sales market 

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<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/elizabethstjuly17one.jpg" alt="elizabethstjuly17one" width="470" height="250">
At 24 levels high above Sydney's Hyde Park there could be two remarkable penthouse apartments soon boasting panoramic views towards St Marys Cathedral and Sydney Harbour from their amazing infinity pool.
Comprising three generous bedrooms each, the 520 square metre two level penthouse apartments with 63 square metre rooftop entertaining and BBQ area crown the luxury 114 apartment residential tower designed by PTW Architects at 227 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.
There's yet to been Sydney City Council approval for the probable conversion of the existing office building to residential. And the 1976 office block is currently for sale with the mooted conversion a key selling point through Jones Lang LaSalle agents Rob Sewell and Ben Hunter.
Vacant possession is likely to occur between April 2015 and June 2016 for the building which sits on Elizabeth Street with boundaries on Bathurst and Castlereagh streets.
PTW architect Andrew Andersons says the site enjoys the benefit of three street frontages as well as a 25 metre wide sunken garden to the north.
Built as the Aetna Life tower, the building’s design architect was Sir Roy Grounds, Australia’s most celebrated architect of the mid-20th century, best known for his National Gallery of Victoria and Victorian Performing Arts Centre in Melbourne and the Academy of Science in Canberra.
The existing building has an unusual concept designed to maximize the views over Hyde Park and to minimize late-afternoon heat load. 
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/07/july19elizabeth]}
Its floor plate of  1,070 square metres is said to subdivide comfortably into seven apartments per floor, ranging from two to three bedrooms.
Structural engineering advice has confirmed that new penetrations can be made in the load bearing precast concrete walls and that the floor plate can be easily extended to create balconies and winter gardens.
Andrew Andersons says the aesthetic concept of the adaptive re-use scheme is based on the interaction of a transparent glazed skin of frameless glass louvres floating in front of the sculptural concrete mass of the existing building.
"The resultant composition creates a compelling image encompassing five decades of architectural history engendering a sense of authenticity at the “cutting edge”.
"The 3.4 metre floor to floor heights will give generosity of scale to the interiors, rare in new buildings."
And as the building exceeds the height allowed by the Hyde Park solar access plane, the upper levels of the building will enjoy an outlook that can never be repeated.
The existing building comprises a freestanding tower over 24 levels, comprising two levels of basement parking, one level of plant, a two level retail arcade with three street frontages and 19 upper levels of quality office accommodation.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/elizabethstjuly17verticle.jpg" alt="elizabethstjuly17verticle" width="470" height="576" style="font-size: 0.8em;">
Its net lettable area is office 15,730 square metres and retail 1,522 square metres,plus 70 car spaces. It has a passing rental profile ($/pa)
for the office $11,087,219 and retail $1,036,809 plus car park income of $457,875. It potential net income fully leased is given as $10,424,935.
<a href="https://rca.joneslanglasalle.com.au/property-offices-nsw-sydney-500763983" target="_blank">Offers close with JLL on August 8</a>.
It last sold for $113 million in 2007.
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Nothing grounded about the mooted 227 Elizabeth Street, Sydney penthouse infinity pools

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It was during the 1850s Victorian gold rush that a tent city known as Canvas Town was established in what's now known as South Melbourne.
The area was home to tens of thousands of migrants, particularly from Ireland and China, who having disembarked were soon off to seek their fortunes in the central Victoria goldfields.
Some 160 years on, it's property speculators who are homing in on the five South Melbourne luxury apartments from the hit Channel 9 reality television show The Block Sky High 2013.
"They are an underlying investor’s goldmine," according to BMT Tax Depreciation boss Bradley Beer.
"The units will obtain maximum depreciation potential within the first 5 years of ownership," he said.
BMT has identified significant deductions available to property investors bidding at the July 27 auctions where prices are tipped to be $1.2 million plus.
All listing agents are likely to be using the BMT reports in their pitch to convince investors to be among the buyers.
The depreciation reports have been prepared by BMT Tax Depreciation Quantity Surveyors, which have inspected the former motel premises – now renovated – and estimated what a buyer could claim in deductions in his or her tax returns.
<img height="377" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/titletattlejuly19chart1.jpg" alt="titletattlejuly19chart1">
<img height="377" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/titletattlejuly19chart2.jpg" alt="titletattlejuly19chart2">
The tax depreciation schedule for apartment 301/142 Park Sreet - Bec and George's apartment listed through Gerald Betts at RT Edgar - advises purchasers could claim over $38,000 in deductions during the first full year leading to a cumulative total of $165,000 in the first five years of ownership.
But research shows that 80% of property investors fail to take full advantage of property depreciation, Beer says.
“They are missing out on thousands of dollars in their pockets,” he says, as the Australian Taxation Office allows property owners to claim depreciation over items that wear out as a tax deduction.
<img height="379" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/titletattlejuly19chart3.jpg" alt="titletattlejuly19chart3">
<img height="380" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/titletattlejuly19chart4.jpg" alt="titletattlejuly19chart4">
Depreciation can only be obtained by property owners who obtain income from their property.  The BMT report has been based on very preliminary documentation, and the figures provided serve as a guide only.
The Block's Bec and George have listed their three-bedroom South Melbourne apartment through an agent who is well versed in reality TV listings.
RT Edgar agent Gerald Betts oversaw the listing of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/auctions/rootop-study-v-bar-four-bedrooms-v-three-dorcas-street-block-floorplans-indicate-the-auction-battlelines/2012060154945">407 Dorcas Street terrace</a> in South Melbourne (pictured below) that was the final offering to hit the market from the 2012 season of The Block. It was the offering of Dan and Dani and sold for $1,440,000.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2012/05/june1block]}
This time around, he is marketing Bec and George's apartment on the premise that its charms will outlast its Block fame.
"The profile of The Block is prominent, but temporary. The appeal of this exceptional apartment is permanent," the marketing says.
The <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.rtedgar.com.au/?pagecall=property&amp;propertyID=2418224&amp;agentID=3193&amp;realestate=142_Park_Street_SOUTH_MELBOURNE_VIC_3205&amp;showGoBack=true">Park Street apartment</a> (pictured below) features Spotted Gum tectonic flooring and a large living area with a surround sound cinema entertainment system.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/07/july19southmelbourne]}
The kitchen has stone surfaces, a large island bench, European appliances, walk-in pantry and bar with beer and wine fridges.
The four Dorcas Street, South Melbourne terrraces from the hit Channel 9 reality television show The Block 2012  had BMT tax depreciation schedule advising investor purchasers they could claim over $30,000 in deductions during the first full year leading to a cumulative total of $140,000 in the first five years of ownership.

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Depreciation tax deduction opportunity for investors as The Block Sky High reality television series turns serious

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Casa Casuarina, the ornately decorated South Beach Miami mansion built for the late fashion designer Gianni Versace, has been listed for September 17 auction having failed to sell last year when listed with US$125 million (A$126.5 million) hopes.
<a href="https://www.fisherauction.com/upcoming-auctions/all-auctions/auction-detail/?id=208372" target="_blank">Its now listed for bankruptcy auction</a>.
<img style="max-width: 480px;" src="/images/stories/2012/06/casa1.jpg">
The iconic Mediterranean-style estate has 10 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms – all Versace’s design – with the style kept by its current vendor, the telecommunications entrepreneur Peter Loftin.
<img style="max-width: 480px;" src="/images/stories/2012/06/casa2.jpg">
The mansion was built in 1930 by architect Alden Freeman, an heir to the Standard Oil fortune, in tribute to the Alcazar de Colon, Christopher Columbus's family home in the Dominican Republic.
<img style="max-width: 480px;" src="/images/stories/2012/06/casa3.jpg">
The Italian designer was gunned down on the steps of his home in 1997 by Andrew Cunanan.
<img style="max-width: 480px;" src="/images/stories/2012/06/casa4.jpg">
He’d purchased the 1930s property in 1992 for US$2.05 million and spent around US$33 million to renovated and extend it into a residence of over 2,140 square metres after his 1993 purchase of the now-demolished Revere Hotel for $3.7 million.
<img style="max-width: 480px;" src="/images/stories/2012/06/casa5.jpg">
It was listed last year by Jill Hertzberg and Jill Eber of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, who operate as The Jills. Now its through Fisher Auction Company.
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Miami's infamous Versace mansion listed for September 17 bankruptcy auction

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The former Westpac executive Pat Handley has listed Shandon, his immaculately restored 19th-century Robertson homestead amid rolling pastures in the NSW Southern Highlands.
Set on the 17 hectare estate, the newly-renovated historic five-bedroom residence includes an open-plan kitchen and living area with french doors opening to a garden terrace covered by an ironwood pergola.
<a href="https://www.drewlindsay.com.au/property/shandon-circa-1860-new/" target="_blank">Drew Lindsay of Drew Lindsay Real Estate has the listing</a> with $5.5 million hopes.
The former Westpac chief financial officer and his wife, Dianne, spent $4 million in 2004.
With Yorkstone flagging in terraced gardens overlooking the escarpment above Kangaroo Valley, the property last traded when bought from the Tilley clan.
The Pearsons Lane house, 20 minutes from Bowral, incorporates the original 1860s stone residence built for the Pearson family.
The Tilley's had the old silo adjacent to the house converted by architect Kathy Barnsley into self-contained guest accommodation, topped off by a glass lookout.
Title Tattle gather's the Handley's are upgrading their home in the US state of Montana, and will keep Palm Beach as their main Australian base.
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Pat Handley's historic Shandon at Robertson listed at $5.5 million

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<div>
The popular Sunday night television show, A Place to Call Home will have a second season.
</div>
The Channel 7 drama has averaged around 1.2 million viewers nationally per episode since its April premiere.
It stars Noni Hazlehurst, who plays the matriarch Elizabeth and Marta Dusseldorp, who plays Sarah Adams in the 1950s period epic.
Preproduction on season two is already under way.
A Place to Call Home is the brainchild of Packed to the Rafters and Winners and Losers creator Bevan Lee.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/trophy-homes/camelot-at-camden-is-captivating-as-a-place-to-call-home-location-on-channel-7-s-new-1950s-drama-series/2013042860795" target="_blank">Camelot, the grandest house near Camden on Sydney's outskirts, was the location for much of the filming</a>.
Set among rolling green pastures with well-established cottage-style gardens, and a winding, tree-lined drive from gates originally from Yaralla, Concord, the historic Narellan mansion was built in 1888 for the White pastoralist family.
The 55-room fairytale-like, Camelot (pictured below) and its gardens have clearly been stunningly restored by the owners, Brendan and Rachel Powers. 
<img src="/images/stories/2013/05/placetocallhomemay9one.jpg" alt="placetocallhomemay9one" width="470" height="307">
 
 
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A Place to Call Home gets second series with Camelot's star billing on Channel 7 

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The median house price in Greater Geelong has recorded a slight increase of 0.6% to $392,500 in June, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. It is 1.9% higher than a year ago.

The largest increase in house price was in Bannockburn, which increased by 5.5%t to $382,500, followed by Barwon Heads, increasing by 3.4% to $755,000 and Geelong West, increasing by 3.3% to $427,500.
The median house price in the Surf Coast Shire fell slightly by 0.8% to $605,000 but remains 2.5% above a year ago. The largest increase was in Jan Juc which rose 1.9% to $588,750.
Within the Borough of Queenscliffe, the median house price remained stable at $700,000 in June, reflecting a 1.4% increase from a year ago.
Regarding units, prices remained stable in both the City of Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast Shire at $310,000 and $432,500 respectively in June.
The median unit price in the Borough of Queenscliffe, however, fell by 4.1% to $467,500.
The rental vacancy rate in the Geelong and Barwon region fell from 6.7% in May to 5.5% in June in line with a tightening across regional Victoria.
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Geelong prices holding up despite those unemployment fears

Buying into a masterplanned community often means committing to a vision still years from taking shape. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>, that vision is already visible.

Residents have moved into the completed first stage, landscaped spaces are established, and the next chapter is now underway. Stage 1 has been completed and settled, with Stage 2 now selling off-the-plan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> combines attainable apartment living with sustainability initiatives rarely seen at this price point, including rooftop solar, battery storage and a resident EV-sharing program.

<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/6RNt3AvtBpI?si=JUhuCV2ZRXsYaoJZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Located on Schofi​elds Road, just moments from Tal​lawong Metro Station and Schof​ields Train Station, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been designed to appeal to a broad mix of buyers, from first-home purchasers looking for a foothold in Sy​dney's property market to downsizers seeking a connected, low-maintenance lifestyle.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been conceived as a thoughtfully planned masterplanned community that will evolve over multiple stages, with buyers now able to secure one, two and three-bedroom apartments within a neighbourhood that is already beginning to establish its identity.

One of the project's defining features is its focus on sustainability. Solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure have been incorporated throughout the development, reflecting a long-term approach to both environmental performance and everyday convenience.

Sustainability sits at the centre of the development's vision, with solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure integrated throughout the community.

That emphasis on future-ready living extends beyond the technology. Landscaped communal gardens, outdoor gathering spaces and plans for a future retail precinct aim to create a neighbourhood where residents can access daily conveniences without travelling far from home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351027]

The apartments themselves have been designed with liveability front of mind. Rather than chasing maximum density, the focus has been placed on creating practical homes with generous natural light, usable layouts and strong connections to outdoor space.

Importantly, these design principles have been applied consistently across the one, two and three-bedroom apartment offerings.

The appeal of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> is also closely linked to its location within Syd​ney's rapidly evolving north-west growth corridor. Over the past decade, major infrastructure investment has transformed the area, with new transport links, business precincts and community facilities reshaping suburbs like Talla​wong and Schofiel​ds.

The agent says buyers are increasingly recognising the area's long-term potential.

"Typical buyers that we're finding across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> especially are your first-home buyers, your investors, your upsizers as well as your downsizers," Hawes says.

Connectivity remains one of the project's strongest drawcards. Residents have access to both Tallaw​ong Metro Station and Schofi​elds Train Station, providing links to the Sydn​ey CBD, Norw​est Business Park, Macquari​e Park and other major employment hubs. Retail centres including Rous​e Hill Town Centre and Sch​ofields Village are also nearby, alongside schools, parks and future healthcare infrastructure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351031]

For Stage 1 resident Roji, it is the balance between convenience and comfort that has defined the experience of living at Kew.

"For me, it's a balance of quality and convenience," she says. "Everything I need is right here."

"If I wanted to catch the train, Scho​fields Station is just around the corner. Tallaw​ong Metro connects me to the city."

More importantly, she says, the development has delivered something that cannot be measured in floorplans or specifications.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> feels like home."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351024]

As Stage 2 enters the market, that lived experience may be one of the project's strongest selling points. Buyers are not purchasing into an untested concept or a future promise. They are joining a community that is already taking shape.

Ongoing investment in transport, retail, healthcare and public open space continues to strengthen the appeal of Syd​ney's north-west growth corridor, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>'s established first stage provides buyers with a tangible sense of the community's future direction.

For a limited time, buyer can secure a new home at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> with just a $10,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149637]

Joel Robinson

Kew Tallawong: A growing community taking shape in Sydney's north-west

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/freecity">Freecity</a> has received development approval for its 51-storey mixed-use tower at 153-157 Walker Street, North Sydney, set to be one of the tallest mixed-use residential-led buildings in one of Sydney’s most sought-after commercial and residential addresses.

Lodged as a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) through the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway and approved by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure following a comprehensive public exhibition and submissions process, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/153-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">the project</a> will deliver 296 apartments, alongside a 170-room, luxury hotel, activated retail and significant public domain improvements.

Situated just 200 metres from Victoria Cross Metro Station, on one of the largest developable sites in North Sydney, the development will rise to 234 metres, making it one of the tallest buildings in the suburb. With an end value of approximately $1.5 billion, the project responds directly to the NSW Government’s mandate to accelerate housing delivery in well-located, transit-connected areas.

<img alt="Freecity gets green light for mixed-use residential and hotel tower in North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="192ec455-94bf-4e01-83ef-922b1b269d67" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Freecity%20-%20Walker%20Street%20North%20Sydney%201%20RESIZED%20.jpg?VersionId=Bzqp0SBHCDvLAHjA4QXkjuGoOEIh73Jl" />

The apartment mix will cater to a broad range of buyers, with 65 studio and one-bedroom apartments, 139 two-bedroom residences, 35 three-bedroom apartments, 48 four-bedroom homes, and nine penthouses. Residents will have access to a dedicated amenity level on Level 33, featuring a swimming pool with views towards the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and North Sydney CBD, as well as a gym, library, shared kitchen, lounge and outdoor entertaining areas.

The hotel will occupy the lower six levels of the building and include meeting and function spaces, a wellness centre with gym, yoga studio, swimming pool and sauna, further strengthening North Sydney's growing hospitality offering.

At ground level, the development has been designed to improve pedestrian connections through the precinct. More than 700 sqm of retail space will activate the street frontage, while a landscaped through-site link connecting Walker Street, Little Walker Street and Doris Fitton Park will provide new public open space with seating, paving and extensive native landscaping.

Freecity Group Co-Founder and Joint CEO Tony Sun said the project represents one of the most significant development opportunities currently available in North Sydney.

"This is one of the most significant development sites in North Sydney and it comes at a pivotal moment for the precinct," Sun said.

"North Sydney is undergoing a genuine transformation, and this project will contribute housing the city urgently needs while creating a landmark destination."

Executive Director of Development Michael Romano said demand for both residential and hotel accommodation would continue to strengthen as the Metro precinct matures.

"The structural demand for high-quality housing and hotel accommodation in North Sydney is compelling, and will only grow as the precinct continues to evolve around the new Metro station," Romano said.

Architectus has designed the tower, orientating the apartments to maximise views towards Sydney Harbour while introducing a sculpted façade intended to respond to light, wind and the surrounding skyline.

Architectus Principal Marko Damic said the design sought to create a tower that contributes to the public realm as much as the skyline.

"We wanted to design a tower that doesn't just sit in the skyline but actively participates and contributes to city life," Damic said.

First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a> have celebrated the topping out of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf,</a> marking a significant milestone in the delivery of one of Syd​ney's most anticipated waterfront communities.

Located on Sydney's harbourfront at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/putney-nsw-2112">Putney</a>, the project has now reached its highest structural point, with construction progressing strongly towards completion in 2027. 
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The milestone was celebrated on-site with project partners Phoenix Property Investors, Mitsubishi Estate Asia, Versatile Construction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, consultants and stakeholders, to recognise the collective effort behind the transformation of the historic waterfront site into a vibrant new residential, marina and lifestyle destination.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will deliver a mix of waterfront residences and terraces, complemented by a private 36-berth marina, waterfront dining opportunities and a revitalised foreshore designed to reconnect the community with the river's edge. 
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Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said the project represented a rare opportunity to create the next chapter in Sydn​ey's long history of successful waterfront precincts. 
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"Throughout Sydney, some of the city's most sought-after addresses have emerged from carefully considered waterfront precincts such as Woolloom​ooloo Wharf, Walsh Bay and Breakfast Point," Brown said.

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"What makes these places so successful is that they become much more than residential developments," Brown said.

"They bring together homes, hospitality, marina facilities, public spaces and a strong sense of community in locations where future supply is incredibly limited."

Brown has long described absolute waterfront land in Sy​dney as "finite."

"Once these opportunities are developed, they are rarely replicated. That's why Syd​ney's waterfront precincts have consistently demonstrated strong demand and long-term value growth over many decades. 
&nbsp; 
"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is one of the few remaining opportunities to secure a residence within a masterplanned waterfront community that combines direct water access, marina ownership opportunities and a genuine village lifestyle just moments from the Sy​dney CBD."

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PERIFA Founder and Managing Director Fabrizio Perilli said the project reflected a shared commitment to delivering exceptional places that create long-term value for residents and the broader community. 
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"The topping out milestone is a significant achievement for the Versatile Group and a testament to the collaboration between all project partners, consultants and contractors involved," Perilli said. 
&nbsp; 
"Beyond the residences themselves, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will establish a new waterfront destination that celebrates the history, character and lifestyle of this unique location while creating a lasting legacy for future generations."

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Construction is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile">Versatile Construction</a>, with structural works now substantially complete across the precinct. Attention will progressively shift to the construction of the waterview terraces, apartment façades, services and interior fit-out works over the coming months. 
&nbsp; 
With limited residences and marina berths remaining, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> continues to attract strong interest from owner occupiers and downsizers seeking a premium waterfront lifestyle within close proximity to Putne​y Village, Rh​odes, Top Ry​de and the Syd​ney CBD. 
&nbsp; 
As one of the last opportunities to secure a residence within a new masterplanned waterfront community on Sy​dney Harbour, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is expected to remain a highly sought-after address for years to come.

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Abadeen, PERIFA, top out Putney Wharf harbourfront precinct

Kew has long been regarded as one of Melbourne's premier residential suburbs. It's a location defined by its grand period homes, leafy streets and some of the city's most prestigious schools, yet it has often sat just outside the spotlight cast on neighbouring Hawthorn and Camberwell.

Increasingly, however, buyers are recognising that Kew offers much of what draws people to those suburbs, with a quieter residential setting, exceptional amenity and long-term owner-occupier appeal.

Within a few minutes' walk, residents can access Kew Junction, one of Melbourne's most established village centres. Cafés, bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, boutique retailers and everyday services are all on the doorstep, with local favourites including Centonove, Adeney Milk Bar Cafe, and Frank &amp; Harri creating the type of walkable lifestyle that has become increasingly difficult to find in Melbourne's inner east. Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, Glenferrie Road's renowned shopping and dining precinct in Hawthorn and the retail, dining and entertainment offerings of Camberwell Junction are both just a short drive or tram ride away.

The suburb is equally well connected. Tram routes 48 and 109 provide direct access to the CBD, while High Street and Cotham Road connect residents to the wider inner east.&nbsp;Nearby access to the Eastern Freeway also places the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne Airport within easy reach, adding another layer of convenience for weekend travel.&nbsp;It's a rare combination of connectivity and tranquillity, where quiet residential streets sit just moments from some of Melbourne's most established shopping and lifestyle precincts.

For families, Kew remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held addresses. Carey Baptist Grammar School, Xavier College, Methodist Ladies' College, Trinity Grammar, Ruyton Girls' School and Genazzano FCJ College are all nearby, while the Yarra River parklands, walking trails and sporting clubs provide another layer of lifestyle appeal.

It's within this established pocket that developer Ricdanic is delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wimba-ave-kew-9-11-wimba-avenue-kew-vic-3101">Wimba Ave</a>, a boutique collection of just 13 residences across two buildings named after its location on the tree-lined Wimba Avenue,&nbsp;within one of Kew's most prestigious pockets where homes have been known to sell up to and above $8 million.

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The residences prioritise the space that buyers are increasingly searching for but struggling to find in established suburbs. Living areas extend beyond five metres in width, ceiling heights range from three to five metres, and apartments open onto private gardens averaging around 125 sqm. Selected residences also feature balconies of approximately 60 sqm, while premium inclusions include Miele appliances, double-glazed windows, EV readiness, fully electric systems and a 7.2 NatHERS energy rating.

Architect Chris Idle says opportunities to deliver homes of this scale within established suburbs have become increasingly uncommon.

"There are very few opportunities to do these kinds of developments in leafy, established suburbs," he says. "To get this level of amenity, natural light, and architectural freedom in such a setting is extremely rare."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366267]

The architecture draws on Kew's established character through the use of handmade Krause bricks, while landscaping by John Patrick introduces 23 plant species, including nine native varieties, creating an environment which focuses just as much on nature as it does the building.

Construction on Wimba Ave is well underway by renowned high-end builder Sinjen, with completion expected in late 2027. Prices start from $2.22 million.

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The enduring appeal of Kew's tree-lined streets and village lifestyle

"For me, it's the location." That was the first thing Chris pointed to when reflecting on why he and his wife Marita decided to purchase at Candela Ivanhoe, the under-construction new apartment development by Salter Brothers in the heart of the north-eastern M​elb​ourne​ suburb. ​

"We've lived here before… everything is here," Chris said.

"Our doctor is around the corner, there's dentists, pilates, everything we need, restaurants, fast food places, two train stations, Ivanhoe and Darebin, both in walking distance. You don't need anything else."

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Just 10 kilometres from Melbo​urn​e's CBD, Ivanhoe combines direct city connectivity with the amenity of an established village community. Residents have access to highly regarded schools, expansive parklands, public transport, and a thriving retail and hospitality precinct centred around Upper Heidelberg Road, all within a neighbourhood that has retained its leafy character despite its proximity to the city.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a> sits within the heart of this established landscape, positioned just moments from Ivanhoe Village and within walking distance of many of the suburb's most sought-after amenities.

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From Candela, residents can access cafés, grocers, wine bars, restaurants and essential services on foot, while Ivanhoe Station and Darebin Station provide direct connectivity across Mel​bour​ne. The development is also surrounded by some of the suburb's best-known lifestyle destinations, including Pinkie, Laurent, Enni, Docasa and Woodfire Pizza e Cucina, alongside Ivanhoe Plaza, Woolworths, pharmacies and specialty retailers.

Green space is another defining feature of the suburb. Darebin Parklands, Ivanhoe Park, Nellie Ibbot Park and the Yarra River trail network provide extensive opportunities for recreation, while Ivanhoe Golf Course and Ivanhoe Tennis Club continue to underpin the area's long-established lifestyle appeal.

The suburb's education offering further strengthens demand. Ivanhoe Grammar School, Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School, Mary Immaculate Primary School and Ivanhoe Primary School have helped establish the area as one of Melbou​​rne's most sought-after schooling precincts, attracting families and downsizers alike who want to remain connected to the area.

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While location was the priority for Marita and Chris, the project itself also needed to meet their expectations.

"Whilst location was paramount, I was also looking at design of the environment and Candela ticked every box," Marita said.

"We're just thrilled with our choice."

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Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>, Candela Ivanhoe has been designed to complement its village setting, with an emphasis on generous floorplans, natural light and practical everyday living.

Residents will have access to a range of shared amenities, including a communal rooftop garden and dedicated residential lounge, complemented by a ground-floor café and lifestyle wellbeing centre, helping foster the sense of community already emerging among future owners.

That approach has resonated strongly with the market. More than 90 per cent of purchasers at Candela Ivanhoe are owner-occupiers, with buyers ranging from downsizers and second-home buyers to young families and first home buyers, creating a genuinely multi-generational community of grandparents, parents and children. It reflects a broader shift across Melbo​​urne's apartment market, where buyers are increasingly prioritising neighbourhood quality, lifestyle amenity and long-term liveability.

Currently under construction by Ironside, Candela Ivanhoe comprises 58 apartments. Candela Ivanhoe is scheduled for completion in the coming months, and residents can move in from September. One to four bedroom residences, prices from $649,000 and limited opportunities remaining.

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Jonathan Chancellor

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