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Most communication involves negotiation. Aside from ‘splitting-the-difference’ most people don’t know a lot about negotiating. They are not very good at getting very good deals for themselves.
One of the most important things to remember when negotiating is to ask lots of questions. Very often, you need to ask questions of yourself. Why do you want to buy? How much do you want to pay? When do you want to have it? Try and remember what the writer Rudyard Kipling once said: ‘I keep six honest servants; they’ve taught me all I know. Their names are what, why and who. And when and where and how.’
Most people make the mistake of thinking that negotiation is a complex science. It’s not. It’s usually just two people both trying to get the best deal for themselves: the person who is selling and the person who is buying. And there is no honest reason why both sides can’t reach a price which makes both of them happy. Here are 10 of my favourite points about negotiation.
1. FAIRNESS
First, don’t even consider ripping off the other person. If you’ve got a good product that’s priced higher than it can be bought elsewhere, then you’d better have a very good reason to justify your higher price. What are you offering that the other seller is not offering? If nothing, then all you’ve got to offer is price. If you are in a price war – as so often happens today, especially with cars and white goods – there’s only one way you can be sure of winning. Guarantee the best price.
That’s right; don’t just say that your price is best. Guarantee it. If they buy from you and later (within, say, 30 days), they see it advertised cheaper with someone else, then say you’ll refund the difference. I love honest guarantees in negotiation. They instantly move you closer to closing the transaction and they make you feel good. You don’t go away with that nagging feeling that maybe you could have got it even cheaper elsewhere. So this sort of negotiation is simple. If you’re the seller, offer the best price possible. If you’re the buyer, do some research and get to know the prices.
There is, however, one wonderful seven-word question which you should ask the other party, regardless of whether you are buying or selling. That question is: ‘Is that the best you can do?’ You’ll be astounded how many times this soft little question saves you a stack of dollars. One final tip on this question: Ask it a second time with one more word added. Once you’ve got what you are told is ‘the best’ that can be done, ask this eight-word question: ‘Is that REALLY the best you can do?’
I estimate that the first time you ask this question, you’ll get a better deal at least 50% of the time. The second time you ask the question – with the word ‘really’ added – you’ll get a better deal (in total) about 75 per cent of the time.
 Finally, the most important word in negotiation is ‘fairness’. It’s the first and final rule.
 
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2. VARIABLES
Second, look for variables – something you can add in as an extra if you’re selling or something that you can take out if you’re buying. For example, a home may have some expensive light fittings. If the buyer makes an offer which seems too low, the seller can say, ‘We accept the offer but we need to exclude the light fittings.’ There are a whole host of other extra things you can include or remove if you are selling or buying a house. During tight times in real estate, some property developers offer a ‘free car’ if you buy one of their properties. With such a large inclusion, though, it’s hard not to think that the price of the car has been added to the price of the property. Once again, do your own research.
3. RESEARCH
Third, become a superb researcher. You know who always gets the deal from a negotiation? The person who’s the best informed. Depending upon what you are selling or buying, the more research you do, the more knowledge you’ll acquire. With negotiation, knowledge is power.
Here’s an example. There’s another home for sale in my street. It’s just been built. It’s a gorgeous looking home but it’s located in the middle of a bend coming down a hill. As you drive down the hill, it’s easy to imagine a car losing control, failing to take the bend and ploughing into this house. This is a valid concern which can be used by buyers to secure a lower price. But if the sellers have done their research, they’d be able to tell the buyers that the council is going to close the street at the top of the hill. Cars will only be able to go one way – up the hill. Presto, knowledge has saved the sellers from having to give a hefty discount.
4. TIME
Fourth, be careful of time. The longer you spend in a negotiation, the more likely you’ll capitulate. When you invest a lot of time with people, you think: Well, we’d better do a deal now or else we’ve wasted all these hours/days/weeks. A car salesman once told me that some buyers will point to a car in the middle of many cars and ask the salesperson for a test drive. The poor salesperson may spend 20 minutes shifting cars around. He expects to make a sale. He has invested time and whoever invests the most time is the one most likely to surrender conditions. Some car buyers get salespeople to bring cars to the buyers’ homes. All the buyers do is sit at home and wait. The car salesperson uses up a heap of time, especially if they have to go back and forth to the buyers’ home with several types of cars.
So be careful. The longer the negotiation goes for, the less chance one side will have of getting the best deal. Make sure it’s not your side that’s invested huge chunks of time.
5. TERMS
Fifth, consider terms. Often, negotiation involves a financial focal point. For example, the price asked for a home may be one million dollars. Buyers are only offering $900,000. The sellers reduce their price to $980,000. The buyers increase to $920,000. Stalemate. Sixty thousand dollars short. The buyers say they have run out of money. With their savings, they have reached the maximum that the bank will lend them. The sale is about to fall over. But, suddenly, the sellers offer to ‘lend’ the buyers the $60,000 shortfall. The sellers may say, ‘Okay, we are $60,000 short, but we’ll let you pay us $12,000 per year for six years.’ If the buyer agrees, which they often do, the sale is saved. There are a myriad of combinations that can be used with financial terms.
6. STEADY
Sixth, be careful how you say ‘yes’. Let’s say you like something that has an asking price of one thousand dollars. You may offer eight hundred dollars. The seller gives you a big smile and says, ‘Yes, I accept,’ and out comes the proffered hand to shake. What’s your first thought? Yes, it was all too easy; maybe you should have offered less.
If you are the seller and someone makes you any offer that you want to accept, never look delighted. Take it steady. Maintain a stern, almost worried look. Ask for a few minutes alone with your partner. If you decide to accept the offer, always try to get the other side to make one more, final, concession. Here’s what you would go back and say: ‘Look, it’s not what we are hoping for, but we have decided to accept if you will pay for postage and packing [or whatever concession you seek].’
 
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7. CONTRA
Seventh, if you give something, make sure you receive something in return. That’s right, every time you agree to some point or condition in the negotiation, the other side, in return, should agree to compensate you for that. Don’t ever give anything away without getting something  in return. A contra arrangement. For example, you might increase your offer by $10,000 if they agree to leave their ride-on lawnmower and all the gardening implements.
8. QUESTIONS
Eighth, ask questions instead of making statements. Let’s face it, almost no one feels comfortable looking another person in the face and saying, ‘I want to give you $10,000 less than you are asking.’ 
So instead of making such ‘in-your-face’ statements, try asking a few soft questions.
For example, you can look at the asking price and then look puzzled before you ask, ‘Why are you asking this price?’ Amazingly, rather than try to justify why they are asking a certain price, many people will immediately reduce the price. It’s easier for them to reduce than defend their price.
And let’s say you are checking in to a hotel. All hotels have a series of set rates they charge. All hotels are flexible on their rates, no matter what they tell you. After all, they can’t sell the previous night’s empty room at any price. The worst rate that hotels have – and the one they’ll try to get you to pay – is what’s called their ‘rack’ rate. If you know what you are doing you will never pay the rack rate. So all you do is ask the desk clerk, ‘What special deals do you have on at the moment?’ If they say there are no deals and then they quote you a rate, you should immediately say, ‘Yes, but that’s your rack rate!’ (Say it as if only mugs would pay a rack rate.) All hotels also have a corporate rate, which is anywhere from 10 to 30 per cent cheaper than the rack rate. So you should ask, ‘What’s your corporate rate?’ When they tell you, then say – almost grudgingly – ‘Okay, I’ll take that then.’
But you’re not finished yet. Have you got one of their premier rooms or just one of their mediocre standard rooms? It costs a hotel nothing to give you one of their better rooms. To get a better room, just politely say, ‘Could you please give us a nice room?’ You’ll be surprised how often hotels will upgrade you at no extra cost. And what about breakfast? Ask the question in a positive manner and you’re more likely to get a positive result. For example, ‘This includes breakfast, doesn’t it?’ 
And finally, don’t forget to get a late check-out. Conrad Hilton was the man who got the masses to check out of his hotels on time. People used to be told that ‘check-out time’ was 11 am. But hardly anyone took any notice. He was having terrible trouble. And then he decided to post signs at the reception desk and in the rooms, saying ‘Check-out time strictly 11 am’. Suddenly, because it was in writing, everyone obeyed.
So be careful. Don’t ever let written words intimidate you to do what the written words want you to do. With negotiation, just about everything is negotiable – except your integrity, of course. Never do, or even hint at doing, anything unethical.
Recently I was at one of the big city car parks. I couldn’t find my car so I asked one of the attendants to help me. He was not only helpful with directions, he also took my money which saved me going to the cashier. It wasn’t until after I drove out that I realised what had happened. He had acted nervously and he moved behind a large concrete post when he looked at my ticket and got my money (I later realised to hide from the security camera). He took two 20-dollar notes from me which, at the time, I thought was quite reasonable, considering I had been parked there for most of the day. When he took the money, he said: ‘That’ll do.’ I thought he had given me a special rate. But he had actually given me the thief’s discount because he kept the money for himself. The real rate was around 70 dollars. As I joined the mass of city peak hour traffic, I slowly began to work out what had happened. He had pocketed my money. I fumed. I felt like going to his employers and setting him up in a hidden camera sting. I hate dishonesty, wherever it’s found or however it’s perpetrated. And, as in this case, I hated being almost a partner in this crook’s crime. I drove home feeling guilty myself. I couldn’t stand it and so the next day I rang the large car park company. To my shock, they weren’t interested. Perhaps they were all doing it all the time. Who knows?
 
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9. ODD
Ninth, don’t negotiate in even numbers, particularly near the end of the negotiation. Have you ever noticed that when people tell you their highest or lowest price, it almost always ends in a round number? Such as $10,000 or $12,000. But seldom $10,277. If people really were stretched to their limits, they’d be offering an odd amount – a sign that they had virtually emptied their purse.
Often, when you offer an odd amount, the other side will say something such as, ‘Why are you offering me $10,277?’ You then reply: ‘Because that’s all I can afford. I just can’t go any higher. If that’s not enough for you, then, I’m sorry, I’ll have to let it go.’ Again, you’ll be surprised how many times people will accept a price with an odd number, even if they may have refused a higher price with an even number!
10. EXPERTS
The 10th point is: consider using experts. I have done a lot of negotiation in my life but never felt comfortable negotiating for myself. I can get great deals for the sellers of real estate but when it comes to myself, I often end up feeling sorry for the buyers. I sold my last family home for almost $20,000 less than an earlier price I had been offered. Yes, I had two buyers. Instead of taking the buyer with the higher amount, I took the offer from the mother with a mentally disabled daughter. The agent introduced me to the lady. She was lovely and my heart melted.
It has been a different story, though, whenever I have been buying real estate. On the last three occasions that I or a close family member have bought property, we have always used the services of a Buyers’ Agent. In every case, we have saved more money than the amount we paid the expert. So, if you don’t feel 100 per cent comfortable doing the negotiating yourself (on big items only, such as houses or cars), I recommend that you hire a skilled negotiator.
Neil Jenman is a property commentator, consumer advocate and <a href="https://www.jenman.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">investigative writer. </a>
<a href="https://www.successtakescharacter.com/" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/12/jenmanbook.jpg" width="150" height="204" alt="jenmanbook" style="margin: 6px; float: left;"></a>
This is an excerpt of his book <a href="https://www.successtakescharacter.com/" target="_blank">Success Takes Character: Winning and Losing in the Game of Life</a>
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The 10 ways to negotiate a better deal in property: Neil Jenman

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Here's a confident prediction: Hundreds (probably thousands) of Australian investors are going to lose millions of dollars in the American property market.
Right now, it seems to be all the rage, the latest fad. Buy real estate in the United States. It's easy. Prices for American homes are so low and our dollar is so high that an investment in “the home of the brave and the land of the free” seems like a really good idea.
Unfortunately, it's not a good idea. For the average mum-and-dad Australian investor, buying real estate in America is a very bad idea. Never mind what the Aussie spruikers tell you, never mind how good it sounds, it really is too good to be true.
These days, a number of Australian spruikers have set up companies and are selling real estate in America to Aussies. Some of the men behind these companies are the same villains who were once ripping off investors with over-priced property deals in Australia. As any police officer will tell you, once a crook, always a crook.
Yes, I know it sounds wonderful. The numbers are enticing. You'll be told that you can buy a house for as little as $50,000 and rent it out for about $200 a week. That's a 20% return. It seems like a no-brainer. In reality, it's an investment for people who don't have the brains to spot a scam. And while I don't mean to be rude, I do mean to protect you from getting stung.
If you really want to check out the American real estate market, do it properly. Buy a ticket to the United States and check out the market for yourself. Under no circumstances should you buy property on the advice of an Australian company alone. Do the real research.
If you do the research, guess what you'll find. The American real estate market is not as good as it appears from a distance. Up close, it's an entirely different market to the Australian market. There are some places in America where homes cannot be sold at any price. That's right, they can't even give them away!
A lot of smart people – those with plenty of experience in property dealing – have checked out the American property market. They have come back with a simple message – don't touch it. In one case, a lawyer was flown to the United States by one of his clients. He was required to give his opinion on a large number of condominiums in Texas. "We are going to be rich," said his client. "We can buy these properties for as little as $2,000 each." The wise lawyer checked out the properties, checked out the local market and gave his judgement. Don't touch them.
Ask yourself an obvious question. If these American properties are such a good deal, how come the locals aren't buying them?
Right now, interest rates on home loans in America are very low (around 4% for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages). That means an American family can borrow $50,000 and pay just $2,000 in interest each year! Why, then, would that same family pay rent of $200 per week when they can buy the property for a far lower payment? Something just doesn't seem right, does it?
I can introduce you to Australians who have bought houses in the United States for $50,000 and cannot re-sell those houses for $25,000.
Here's a question you must always ask yourself before you buy any property in any strange area, especially a foreign country: What price are the locals paying for similar properties? If the locals are not buying the properties, then you shouldn't touch them either.
If you don't believe me, go to the United States for yourself. You'll see that some areas are ghettoes that resemble war zones. As one American agent reportedly said, "You need an armoured Humvee and a bullet-proof vest to collect the rent in this area." Well, in some areas there is no rent because the properties are abandoned. They are left vacant. And that's how they remain until some Aussie spruikers come along and realise that they can sell these properties to Aussie investors.
Well, be warned. America is now full of groups of people who are known as “flippers”. These are wheeler-dealers who buy properties at cheap prices and immediately on-sell them to unsuspecting out-of-towners at high prices which seem like low prices.
Yes, I agree – $50,000 sounds like a cheap price for a home. But there are very good reasons why so many of these American homes are so cheap. They are the white elephants. They aren't worth anything.
So, be warned Aussie investors. The latest rip-off is American real estate. In the years ahead, we will look back on the last few years and realise that this was when we got ripped off by buying American real estate.
Don't be one of them.
Neil Jenman is a property commentator, consumer advocate and investigative writer. This article first appeared on his website, <a href="https://www.jenman.com.au">www.jenman.com.au</a>
 
 
 
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Aussies will lose millions of dollars on US residential investment: Neil Jenman

Too often, heritage buildings become the podium for a contemporary tower. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/623-collins-607-623-collins-street-melbourne-vic-3000">623 Collins</a>, <a>Sterling Global</a> challenged its design team to reverse that process.

The brief to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> was deliberately simple: "Don't design around the heritage. Design from it." It became the philosophy behind a project that draws inspiration not only from two landmark heritage buildings, but from Collins Street itself, a street layered with architectural history and civic significance.

That philosophy has shaped one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a> CBD's most considered residential projects, where the 1924 State Savings Bank and neighbouring Batman's Hill Hotel have become the architectural foundation for 623 Collins rather than remnants preserved beneath a new development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=372749]

Rather than approaching the site as a blank canvas, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sterling-global">Sterling Global</a> saw the existing buildings as the beginning of the story.

"Sites like this rarely become available," the developer said.

"623 Collins wasn't simply an opportunity to develop a prominent CBD site. It was an opportunity to restore and reimagine one of Melbourne's important heritage landmarks while contributing to the continued evolution of Collins Street. For us, the existing buildings weren't constraints. They were the beginning of the story."

Instead of mimicking the ornate heritage architecture, Plus Studio studied the proportions, rhythm and craftsmanship of the original buildings before translating those characteristics into a contemporary 42-storey tower.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145324 project_image_fid=372748]

"The brief challenged us to create a contemporary landmark that respected Melbourne's architectural history without becoming nostalgic," Plus Studio said.

"Rather than mimicking heritage, we sought to understand its proportions, rhythm and material language before translating those qualities into a distinctly contemporary architectural expression."

The practice says the State Savings Bank and Batman's Hill Hotel became the project's primary source of inspiration, allowing the heritage buildings and contemporary architecture to exist "in conversation rather than contrast." Generous planted terraces further soften the transition between old and new, creating elevated green spaces while reinforcing the dialogue between the restored podium and the contemporary tower.

That dialogue continues throughout the interiors, where Melbourne designer Fiona Lynch developed a material palette inspired by the idea of alchemy, balancing contrasting materials that reference both the Neo-Grec detailing of the original bank and contemporary urban living. The result is a series of spaces that feel timeless rather than trend-driven.

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The project will deliver 316 residences across four collections, Heirloom, Signature, Reserve and the Penthouse Collection, with each responding differently to its position within the building, from the restored heritage podium through to the upper levels of the tower. The Heirloom Residences retain defining heritage elements including original heritage windows, generous proportions and high ceilings, while the tower introduces contemporary homes with expansive layouts and elevated views.

Amenities have likewise been designed to support long-term city living rather than short-stay convenience. Residents will have access to concierge services, wellness facilities including a pool, cold plunge, sauna, steam room and gym, alongside private lounges, entertaining spaces and dedicated resident clubs.

Sterling Global says that approach is resonating with buyers seeking permanence rather than novelty.

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According to the sales team, purchasers are looking for enduring architecture, generous floorplans, heritage character and long-term value, with many commenting that 623 Collins "doesn't feel like another apartment development" because of the way the architecture has been curated around the site's history.

Situated on the prominent corner of Collins and Spencer streets, the project occupies one of Melbourne's most recognisable gateway sites, marking the western entrance to the city's best-known street. For Sterling Global, it also reflects a broader shift in city-making.

"Rather than maximising development yield, the project embraces adaptive reuse as a design philosophy, allowing heritage to inform architecture, interiors and the overall resident experience," the developer said.

"The result is a building that feels uniquely connected to Melbourne."

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Joel Robinson

How Sterling Global designed 623 Collins from Melbourne's history

Avant Townhomes is adding to Ivanhoe’s family-sized housing options with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/three-82-ivanhoe-382-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Three 82</a>, a collection of just 16 four-bedroom townhomes on Upper Heidelberg Road.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/intrapac-property">Intrapac Property</a> townhome division has taken a contemporary approach to the traditional family home, pairing larger floorplans with the lower-maintenance format of a townhouse.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/arcadia-studio">Arcadia</a>, with landscaping by Landsite, the homes feature generous open-plan living and dining areas that connect directly to outdoor spaces, with layouts also designed to maximise natural light and privacy.

Natural stone is used throughout the interiors, including in kitchens that pair stone surfaces with bespoke cabinetry, considered storage and SMEG appliances.

The four-bedroom layouts include built-in wardrobes and a main bedroom with its own ensuite, while family bathrooms service the additional bedrooms. Each home also includes a lock-up double garage and intercom entry.

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Energy efficiency has been incorporated into the design through solar panels, double glazing and reverse-cycle heating and cooling, with the homes targeting 7-star energy ratings.

Rather than incorporating extensive communal facilities, Three 82 has been conceived around private residential amenity, with the 16-home scale keeping the focus on individual homes and their own indoor and outdoor spaces.

The development is located at 382 Upper Heidelberg Road, around one kilometre from Ivanhoe Village's cafés and retail and a short drive from Eaglemont Station and Ivanhoe Station.

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Several of Ivanhoe's established schools are also nearby, including Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar and Ivanhoe Grammar School. The address also provides access to the suburb's parklands and the wider Yarra River corridor.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/nelson-alexander">Nelson Alexander</a> has been appointed to handle sales.

Construction is underway and progressing well, with Three 82 currently tracking toward completion in Q2 2027.

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Three 82 brings boutique four-bedroom townhome collection to Ivanhoe

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">Graya</a> has secured a prime Newstead site from fellow developer Fraser, subsequently lodging plans for The Silo, a major mixed-use residential project in Newstead designed around a new public laneway linking the James Street precinct with the wider Gasworks and Newstead neighbourhood.

Proposed for the corner of Chester and Morse streets, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau^Proberts</a>-designed project places its strongest emphasis at ground level, where retail, landscaping and a new cobblestone pedestrian connection would open the site to the surrounding neighbourhood. The design team describes The Silo as “more than a residential building”, positioning the development as an extension of Newstead’s public realm rather than a standalone apartment tower.

“A new cobblestone laneway and landscaped connection between James Street and Gasworks unlock a missing pedestrian link, improving walkability and stitching together two of Brisbane’s significant urban destinations,” Bureau Proberts said in its Urban Design Report.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ea1b06a-75f5-40a5-b2c5-33c97bc86052" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/silo%20bldg.png?VersionId=KmjsAtNePu57_B31EM_DJ5T6KPJHtcmo" />

The Silo is planned as a mixed-use development incorporating apartments alongside a bar and centre activities including food and drink outlets, indoor sport and recreation, office and retail uses.

Architecturally, Bureau Proberts has conceived the building as a collection of vertically expressed, stepping forms rather than a single uniform tower. The composition rises from an articulated podium before being broken by a triple-height landscaped recreation level, with the upper section becoming more compact before terminating in a landscaped rooftop garden.

The project's name and architectural language draw directly from Newstead's industrial history. Patterned off-form concrete is proposed as the principal façade material, complemented by slender metal rod balustrades and extensive planting. The cylindrical and vertically ribbed elements give the building its silo-like expression, while curved balconies and planted edges introduce a softer subtropical layer.

“The Silo reinterprets its robust forms, scale and materiality through a contemporary subtropical architectural expression, creating a building that acknowledges its industrial legacy, while responding to the way the precinct is occupied today,” Bureau^Proberts said.

The recreation level is one of the defining breaks in the tower. Plans include a lap pool, mature subtropical planting and shared resident facilities within an elevated communal garden. Landscaping continues through the podium and onto the rooftop, where a further garden forms what the architects describe as a “subtropical crown” to the building.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8451036-35a4-49a9-8d88-2ef4438eba3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Silo%20Lane.png?VersionId=h8N31_rYmCEqoNrpt4kbYVQhJGZn60LH" />

At street level, the development has been designed to establish a more permeable block. Retail and hospitality tenancies address the public realm, while landscaped pedestrian spaces lead into the new laneway connection. Renders in the design report show the proposed “Silo Lane” as a substantial opening through the podium, framed by cylindrical concrete forms with cascading planting above.

The Silo continues Graya's move into larger apartment developments after building its reputation across high-end residential projects in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Graya buys Frasers Newstead site, plans The Silo between James Street and Gasworks precincts

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wickton">Wickton</a>’s completed Linacre Rise development in Hampton is giving Bayside downsizers the opportunity to move into a spacious apartment near the beach, with the developer covering stamp duty for a limited time.

The 27-residence development has been designed for buyers who want to simplify their living arrangements without giving up the space, warmth and quality associated with a long-term family home. Most apartments have already been secured by Bayside locals, leaving a select collection of two and three-bedroom residences and penthouses available.

Two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1.275 million, three-bedroom residences from $2.25 million and penthouses from $3.375 million, with the completed homes available to inspect and move into now.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/linacre-rise-hampton-8-10-linacre-road-hampton-vic-3188">Linacre Rise</a> occupies an elevated position on one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a>’s quiet, tree-lined streets, around 250 metres from the bay and 500 metres from Hampton’s village centre. Its setting gives residents access to the beach, local cafés, shops and Hampton Train Station while retaining the feel of an established residential neighbourhood.

Architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a> draw on the warmth and permanence of traditional brickwork, with the building integrated into terraced landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>. Ground-floor apartments are elevated above the street and include private garden courtyards, while several upper-level residences have generous balconies and outlooks toward the bay.

Inside, the residences favour natural materials and generous proportions. Herringbone-pattern European oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, premium joinery and Swiss V-ZUG appliances are among the key inclusions, while integrated storage has been incorporated across kitchens, bathrooms, studies and living areas.

The kitchens have been planned as practical spaces for both everyday use and entertaining, with substantial island benches, detailed cabinetry and adjoining dining and living zones. Full-height wardrobes, plush bedroom carpeting and carefully considered lighting reinforce the residential character Wickton sought to retain for buyers moving from larger homes.

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A Linacre Rise purchaser said the completed apartment had delivered the space, outlook and construction quality they had been seeking.

“The unit is very light, has views to die for over the bay, all construction materials and fittings are premium quality, we have secure parking for three cars, EV charging at very competitive rates, the neighbours are friendly and there is just a lovely ambiance about the place,” the purchaser said.

Environmental features include solar panels, shared electric vehicle charging stations, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, double-glazed windows and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366762]

The development was built by Balmain &amp; Co, with Wickton managing the broader development process through its in-house team.

For downsizers, the project’s completed status removes much of the uncertainty associated with buying off the plan. Purchasers can inspect the finished apartments, understand their outlook and proportions, and move in without waiting for construction to conclude.

The remaining selection includes north-oriented balconies, corner configurations and penthouses with elevated bay views. The developer-paid stamp duty initiative is available for a limited time, with potential savings of up to $200,000 depending on the residence purchased.

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Limited-time stamp duty offer at completed Linacre Rise apartments in Hampton

Luxury apartment buyers have long prioritised design, space and finishes, but increasingly they're placing equal importance on something less tangible: how easily they can live without relying on a car.

At <a>Richmond Square</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> believes that convenience begins beyond the apartment itself, with the mixed-use precinct earning a near-perfect Walk Score of 99.

The development has been planned around the idea that some of the most valuable amenities aren't contained within a building, they're the restaurants, cafés, parks, transport connections and daily conveniences that can all be reached on foot.

Located just behind Swan Street and Church Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/richmond-square-1-wiltshire-street-richmond-vic-3121">Richmond Square</a> places residents within one of Melbo​u​rne's most established lifestyle precincts while offering a quieter residential setting removed from the busiest thoroughfares. East Richmond Station is moments away, trams run along both Swan and Church Streets, and the MCG, Melb​​ourne Park, Yarra River trails and the CBD are all within walking distance. At the same time, the precinct itself will introduce a curated mix of dining, retail, hospitality and wellness offerings, creating a destination that extends well beyond its residential buildings.

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For Fortis, that combination of location and scale was what made the site unique.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a> is one of Melb​o​urne's most established and distinctive inner-city neighbourhoods, with a rare combination of dining, culture, recreation, public transport and proximity to the CBD," the developer said.

"The opportunity at Wiltshire Street was particularly compelling because the site sits slightly removed from the activity of Swan and Church Streets while remaining only moments from everything that makes the area desirable."

Rather than developing a standalone apartment building, Fortis consolidated 15 individual properties to create one of the larger development parcels assembled on Mel​b​ourne's city fringe in recent years. That allowed the team to deliver a genuine mixed-use precinct comprising 107 residences across Wiltshire House and Carmine House, premium office space, hospitality venues, retail, wellness offerings and a future 57-room hotel.

"The scale of the site allowed Fortis to think beyond a standalone apartment building," the developer said.

"Richmond Square could be planned as a complete lifestyle precinct, bringing homes, workplaces, dining, retail, hospitality and wellness together around a series of activated public spaces. The aim was to create a destination that feels connected to Richmond rather than separate from it."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348533]

The emphasis on walkability has also resonated with buyers.

Interest has been strongest from established owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers from Richmond and Melb​ourne's inner east who want to remain close to familiar restaurants, workplaces, family and social networks while moving into a more secure, lower-maintenance home. The project is also attracting Mornington Peninsula and interstate buyers seeking a Melb​ourne residence they can lock up and leave between visits.

Many are looking for generous living spaces, room to entertain, quality finishes and confidence in the project team, but location remains one of the biggest deciding factors.

"For many buyers, Richmond Square provides a way to simplify the practical side of home ownership without reducing the quality of their lifestyle," the sales team said.

"Location is also a major driver of interest. Buyers can remain connected to the CBD, major sporting events, the arts centres, local restaurants, cafes and bars and their family while living in a private and secure residence that is easy to lock up and leave for weekends or longer periods away."

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The residences themselves have been designed with that buyer in mind. Award-winning architecture practice SJB and interior designers Hecker Guthrie have created spacious two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses that prioritise generous living areas, natural light, bespoke joinery and private terraces. Above, a rooftop sanctuary by Acre includes landscaped lawns, bookable dining rooms, barbecue facilities, wellness spaces and panoramic views across the CBD, the MCG and Port Phillip Bay.

Fortis believes Richmond Square reflects a broader evolution in apartment living, where the surrounding neighbourhood becomes just as important as the residence itself.

"Richmond Square introduces a different proposition: generously proportioned residences within a genuinely mixed-use, hospitality-led destination," the developer said.

"The project's location and Walk Score of 99 further support a lifestyle where residents can complete many everyday journeys without relying on a car."

Fortis has assembled an experienced team that includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/hecker-guthrie">Hecker Guthrie</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a> and builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hacer-group">Hacer Group</a>, reflecting the developer's commitment to creating projects with enduring design quality and meaningful connections to the communities in which they sit.&nbsp;

Richmond Square is an expression of that philosophy, bringing together homes, workplaces, hospitality and wellness within one of Me​lb​ourne's most walkable neighbourhoods.&nbsp;

Construction is now almost complete, providing purchasers with growing confidence ahead of its expected September 2026 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13181]

Neil Jenman

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