<html><body>
The largest independent real estate company in Melbourne's inner west – Compton Green – has ventured into the social media world, but not to sell homes.
Compton Green has two offices, one in Williamstown and one in Yarraville.
At the start of the year their Facebook page had a mere 200 likes, but now it has nearly 700.
Their aim is to reach 1000 Facebook likes by the end of the year.
“We live in a digital world, one that’s evolving with newer, faster and smarter technology,” says director Adrian Butera.
“Now more than ever it is essential to create social media platforms which actively engages readers rather than informs.”
“For us, our aim has never been to sell homes through Facebook but to provide interesting content related to what is happening in the local area,” says Butera.
Compton Green hired Laura Meaney – who has a journalistic background – to drive their social media by interviewing personalities such as locals and high profile personalities, such as Tommy Hafey, a former Australian rules player and coach.
“All content must be informative, interesting and appealing, up-to-date, relevant to industry related issues or local community issues and never insulting to anyone including our competitors,” says Butera.
If you would like to engage with Compton Green, head to their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/comptongreen">Facebook page</a>.
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ntrotman-Et3xWpamVh

 Compton Green ventures into the social media world

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RP Data has released the most recent suburb rental yields.
Property Observer has a compiled a table of the top 40 yields for New South Wales.
Boggabri is out in front with a high 11.6% yield, followed by Broken Hill with a 9.5% yield.
 
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="325"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
SUBURB
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
POSTCODE
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
MEDIAN PRICE
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
GROSS RENTAL YIELD
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Boggabri</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2382
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$156,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
11.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Broken Hill</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2880
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$110,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
9.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Condobolin </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2877
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$131,500
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Cobar</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2835
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$200,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Batlow</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2730
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$111,250
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Bolton Point</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2283
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$250,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Narrabri </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2390
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$270,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Werris Creek </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2341
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$125,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Windale</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2306
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$222,500
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/south-grafton-shopping-centre-sells-with-1068-yield/2012102857482">South Grafton </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2460
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$191,750
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Tolland</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2650
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$190,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Cootamundra </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2590
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$172,500
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Blackett</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2770
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$230,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Cooma</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2630
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$184,500
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Deniliquin</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2710
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$156,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">North Albury </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2640
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$185,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Willmot</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2770
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$223,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Finley</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2713
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$120,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Lethbridge Park</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2770
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$232,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Narromine </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2821
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$179,750
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Whalan</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2770
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$245,500
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Buronga</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2739
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$187,500
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Tregear</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2770
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$235,500
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Weston</a> 
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2326
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$228,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Kandos</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2848
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$156,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Leeton </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2705
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$170,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Parkes</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2870
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$225,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">South Tamworth </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2340
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$216,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">West Tamworth</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2340
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$195,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Bellbird Heights</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2325
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$260,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Pelaw Main</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2327
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$237,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Westdale </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2340
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$245,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Gateshead </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2290
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$265,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Mount Austin </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2650
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$225,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">West Kempsey</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2440
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$200,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Maitland </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2320
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$266,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Cessnock </a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2325
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$250,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Woolloomooloo</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2011
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$717,500
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
6.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Branxton</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2335
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$335,000
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
5.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="98">
<a href="/news">Tarro</a>
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="78">
2322
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="85">
$287,750
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify;" valign="top" width="65">
5.8%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.myrp.com.au/">RP Data</a>
</body></html>

New South Wales top 40 highest rental yield suburbs: From Boggabri to Tarro via Lethbridge Park

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The Melbourne bayside suburb of Cheltenham is following in the footsteps of the inner-city market, developing a new apartment complex – to be known as No.9 – and a townhouse project named Central Park.
No.9 is the latest $18 million boutique project by Launch Corporation.
No.9 is currently 35% sold.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/no9.jpg">
Offering one- and two-bedroom apartments at 9 Chesterville Road, <a href="/news">Cheltenham</a>, it has been designed by Australian Design Group (ADG).
The aims is to achieve a seven-star energy rating.
The 38 apartments have open-plan layouts, plus outdoor terraces and balconies. 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/no93.jpg">
Austin Design Associates took the lead in designing the interior with landscaping by Zenith Concepts. 
The one-bedroom apartments with a car park start from $335,000 and a two-bedroom apartment start from $400,000.
Launch Corporation was established in 1999 and won the 2011 HIA Victorian Townhouses/Village Development Award and the BDAV Building Design Awards for a two-unit townhouse located in Fitzroy.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/no92.jpg">
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
The other development - Central Park - is a residential townhouse development centered around Cheltenham’s newest park.
Located at 100 Cavanagh Street, Cheltenham, Central Park (pictured below) offers a range of six different contemporary home styles, all named after flowers.
<img src="/images/stories/cheltcentralpark1.jpg">
The Ivy townhouse is three storeys high with two bedrooms and a modern warehouse-style study on the third floor. Released early November, Ivy is the cheapest townhouse, with a starting price of $499,500.
Jasmine is a two-bedroom, three-storey townhouse with a private courtyard and an open-plan kitchen living and dining area with a starting price of $535,000.
<img src="/images/stories/cheltcentralpark2.jpg">
The two-storey Magnolia starts from $595,000 and has three bedrooms. It includes a private courtyard.
Gardenia has three-bedrooms and starts from $657,500.
Camellia is also two-storeys high and has three-bedrooms but comes with a landscaped backyard and starts from $599,500.
Orchid is the biggest style, offering three bedrooms plus a study, double garage and multiple landscaped outdoor areas but is completely sold out.
Central Park has almost sold 100 townhouses from stages one and two, with 25 remaining. 
Stage three has recently been released.
Property developer R Corporation says that modern families are looking to upgrade from their apartments without the associated price tag of a traditional house.
According to RP Data, the median sale price for a unit in Cheltenham is $430,000, with a 36.9% rise in median price over the past five years.
The median house price is $600,000.
The median asking rent for Cheltenham is $450 with an indicative gross rental yield of 3.9%.
RP Data reported the supply and demand for Cheltenham was 31 people looking per house, with a population of 20,292.
“Due to strong growth in the more traditional and inner-market developments, apartment developments in Cheltenham have become more viable and profitable for developers to do,” says Shane Dargue of Colliers International.
“When the housing and development market was flying along a million miles an hour, there was enough growth in the market to think, maybe we can build high-density apartments in Cheltenham.”
“Buyers now have a choice, where as before with the strong market you didn’t have a choice. Predominately, you only have quarter-block housing.”
Dargue explains that investors who have acquired off-the-plan apartments that have been delivered in Cheltenham are going to find their investment quite safe. Due to the market slowing, Dargue says there is not likely to be any more projects in Cheltenham for a while.
Dargue says it was a “softening in the market” or a “correction in the market”.
“It is a correction the market needs every now and again to re-stabilise and provide a new base for the market to grow from,” Dargue says.
The No.9 display suite is located at 9 Chesterville Road, Cheltenham.
The display suite for Central Park is located at 100 Cavanagh Street, Cheltenham.
</body></html>

Cheltenham moving towards apartments and townhouses

<html><body>
The troubled Equititrust's Wirrina Cove in South Australia is on the market again under instructions from David Whyte of BDO.
The resort, conference centre and surrounding land on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, 75 minutes south of Adelaide.
The 485-hectare property includes 89 hotel rooms, a convention centre, a golf course and a caravan park.
Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, café and a swimming pool.
Karen Seeto of Ray White Commercial is coordinating the sale in conjunction with Ray White Hotels, Ray White Marines, Ray White Mt Barker and Century 21 Normanville.
“This is the first time the whole complex has been offered to the market in separate titles and at the same time on behalf of the mortgagee,” says Seeto.
Also on offer are 76 residential land lots with settlements of up to 12 months available.
Some 100 long-term sub-leases of up to 35 years are also available for the marina.
Wirrina Cove Resort is still acting as a conference centre, hosting a number of state government events during 2013.
“The situation at the resort is encouraging and continues to improve on an ongoing basis,” says Keeto.
Recent court proceedings indicated it was cost $35,000 a week to keep the resort open.
Wirrina Cove is being offered through expression of interest, and offers close December 19.
</body></html>

Equititrust's Wirrina Cove, South Australia, on the market under instructions

<html><body>
Investors wanting bang for their buck when remodeling their investment property ought to paint the place to get the cheapest of makeovers.

Interior painting of the walls and ceilings of a two-bedroom apartment come in at $1,500, according to the Australian Services Buyers Guide 2012.

The guide by ServiceSeeking.com.au gives customers an idea of how much money home renovation costs to possibly avoid overpriced quotes from tradespeople.

The guide offers pricing for the measured completion of tasks ranging from interior painting to plumbing, the most expensive of tasks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27406]

Exterior painting comes in first place for the cheapest trade service, with an average quote of $40 per hour including paint.

Interior painting is slightly more expensive than exterior painting, with an average quote of painting the walls and ceilings of a two-bedroom apartment being $1,500.

The walls of a small two-bedroom unit could cost as little as $430.

An average job for exterior painting includes the painting of a 24-square-metre deck and awning and has quote price of $1,200.

Interior painting could cost $4,700 for the painting of a four-bedroom townhouse with its exterior painting possibly costing $3,300.

According to the guide, NSW offers the best bang for a buck, with the cheapest quotes from painters. 

Victorians on average pay $400 more per task than their NSW counterparts, with prices starting at $1,700 for a one-bedroom apartment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3783]

The Sunshine Coast is the most expensive, with painting a one-bedroom apartment costing $1,870, however a job with three bedrooms will get you a better deal.

Quotes are generally consistent among states, however for a more precise quote, you simply need to write a job description and sit back and wait for the quotes to roll in.

Tiling ties with painting for the cheapest service, with customers paying an average of $40 per square metre excluding materials.

The minimum job quoted for tiling a small outdoor area of six square metres was $250.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3565]

The tiling of a 20-square-metre outdoor balcony area is listed as an average job with a likely quote of $500.

The tiling rates in New South Wales are 5% more than the national average of $40 per square metre, and Victorians can expect to pay $45, an increase of 12.5%.

However, the guide says that New South Wales and Victoria property owners pay less than Queenslanders when charged by task.

 

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The third cheapest service is plastering, with an average cost of $45 per hour.

The minimum plastering job quoted in the service guide was for the repair of a ceiling and cost $150.

A plastering job of two plasterboard walls and one ceiling could cost $500.

The plastering of walls and ceilings in two rooms comes with a $2,000 price tag.

Carpenters are the third most expensive, with an average price of $50 per hour, excluding materials.

A job of building and installing a linen cupboard could cost on average $700.

The second most expensive service is electrical, which has an average cost of $65 per hour.

The minimum quoted price was $65 for residential electrical wiring.

Four light fittings and the replacement of switches and power points could cost you on average $300.

The maximum quote recorded by ServiceSeeking.com.au was $1,200 and was for the installation of four fans, 12 lights and powerpoints.

Victorians pay 40% less when it comes to appliance installation.

The most expensive general trade service is plumbing, with an average of $70 per hour.

A minor bathroom shower tap job could start from $80.

The installation of a new stove with gas fitting could cost you $400.

A larger job of installing gas pipes for heating, hot water and an oven can cost up to $1,000, the average quoted price.

Victorians can expect to pay 10% more for a plumber, paying on average $77 an hour.

New South Wales and Queensland are 7.1% below the national average of $70 an hour.

According to the 2010 Australian Services Buyers Guide, the average hourly rate was $66 although the average job price has come back.

The inclusion of details and prices that were charged for some recent jobs give consumers an idea of how much they should be paying for similar work.

“Our Australian Services Buyer’s Guide 2012 saves Australian renovators from the risk of overpaying. It’s going to change the way people renovate their homes – they won’t want to commit to a quote without consulting the guide first,” says Jeremy Levitt, co-founder of ServiceSeeking.com.au.

ServiceSeeking.com.au has helped over 500,000 customers get quotes from 65,000 businesses.

The data in the guide is based on the analysis of over 700,000 quotes submitted by Australian local businesses through ServiceSeeking.com.au over the past year.

ServiceSeeking.com.au is Australia’s largest marketplace for local services, and allows people to post job descriptions that they need done on the website.

The Australian Services Buyer’s Guide 2012 is available for purchase on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Australian-Services-Buyers-Guide-ebook/dp/B008OOR1HO" target="_blank">Amazon</a> for $9.95.

Sections of the guide can also be viewed on <a href="https://www.serviceseeking.com.au/" target="_blank">ServiceSeeking.com.au’s</a> blog.
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For that lick of paint: Cost guide to give your investment property a makeover

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The rooftop of early apartment complexes were once home to a simple dreary washing line, but now what’s on the rooftop is almost as important as what is in the newly completed apartment.
All residents in many new high rises are entitled to access rooftops in a trend towards democratisation of the previously sealed off upper levels.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/11/centralsouth1.jpg">
Central South Yarra (pictured above) – a $220 million 30-storey development by Little Projects in South Yarra – is among four apartment complexes that incorporate resort-style resident rooftop access.
The large landscaped outdoor sky terrace is 30 storeys up, offering residents and their guests a 360-degree view across Melbourne.
The rooftop includes an inside dining room on a first-in, first served basis with a 10-seater dining table and kitchen. There's also a lounge, pool and a ‘wellbeing zone’ with fitness equipment.
Michael Fox, managing director of Little Property Group, says the rooftop trend stems from tenants, and their landlord investors, seeking low-maintenance recreational living options.
“They want to enjoy the outdoor scenario,” says Fox.
Fox says the additional recreation space adds to the value of all apartments, despite the loss of revenue from sale of the top floor or rooftop.
“Essentially, it’s an extension of their apartment. Residents are happy to live in smaller spaces but have other facilities at their fingertips so they can entertain their guests in an open and unique environment.”
“The philosophy behind it all is offering purchases lifestyle benefits,” says Fox.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/yarrahouse.jpg">
The nearby Yarra House (pictured above) in <a target="_blank" href="/news">South Yarra </a>is a boutique apartment development with a “members-only” 15-metre rooftop lap pool, gym and landscaped garden on level 26.
It offers views of the surrounds of the historic Melbourne High School, the city skyline and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/montrose.jpg">
Montrose (pictured above) in <a href="/news">North Sydney</a> comprises of 104 apartments over 10 levels with occupants having access to a rooftop cinema.
Curtis Field, director of project marketing at Colliers International, which is marking Montrose, tells Property Observer a rooftop cinema is fairly unusual for an apartment project in Sydney, with the trend starting in Melbourne's entertainment district retail terraces.
He says the cinema was included in the design to appeal to younger couples and singles who are expected to show interest in Montrose, and he says it will “add some vibrancy” to the project.
The cinema is made to feel like a home cinema and can be booked through the body corporate.
Field says apartments are getting smaller and therefore residents are use the rooftops as common areas for entertaining.
“It offers added value of views and amenities that they [residents] don’t have to pay for.”
Montrose is almost 50% sold.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Of course the common facilities not necessarily have to induce vertigo. 
In Sydney, Payce's Victoria Park project Platinum (pictured below)  has its has a 2,000-square-metre podium courtyard that is located one level above the street.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/platinum1.jpg">
The courtyard contains Asian-inspired black bamboo planting to create multi-storey green screens and a pathway to meander through the bamboo.
Intimate pavilions are built from timber and framed steel and are illuminated at night.
There is also an alfresco entertainment area with hanging gardens, storage and a kitchen.
Rooftop trees and plants can clear the air by absorbing toxins such as benzene from the atmosphere.
The landscaping can also intercept between 70% and 90% of incoming solar radiation to aid temperature control.
One mature tree potentially provides nearly as much cooling as five 3-kilowatt air-conditioners, while in winter it helps keep apartments insulated.
The rooftop trend comes as the health-giving benefits of parklands are being acknowledged.
The Western Australian Department of Environment and Conversation (DEC) has established the national “Healthy Parks, Healthy People” program.
The DEC believes parkland is fundamental to people’s health and reduces urban stress as well as boosting immunity to certain health issues.
Parkland and community spaces also allow for a more balanced lifestyle, providing opportunities to socialise and may boost immunity to certain health issues.
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Democratising the rooftops as high-rise penthouses become passé

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This week’s episode of Grand Designs Australia features a glass house in the Barossa Valley South Australia.
James and Helen build a 60-metre-long, one-room-wide house that is virtually all glass in the hope of capturing the Barossa Valley views.
The house follows the contour of the hill, a 2.5-metre step down over five separate levels.
At the top of hill, there are four north-facing bedrooms, which are all accessed off a continuous ramp corridor that runs down the side of the house.
This corridor flows into a large living and kitchen area, with a sunken lounge at the end of the house.
One continuous roof plane will run along the entire roof.
An existing 130,000-litre water tank will provide the property with all its water needs.
Grand Designs host Peter Maddison says the simple design and double-glazed windows offer the property lightness and transparency.
The Barossa Valley is a major wine-producing region and tourist destination in South Australia.
It is 60 kilometres northeast of Adelaide and has an approximate population of 20,0000 people.
Last week's episode featured a house in <a href="/news">Annandale </a>that was built on a small empty allotment overshadowed by two large buildings either side, one heritage listed.
The Barossa Valley Glass House episode will air on the Lifestyle channel on November 29 at 8.30pm.
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People in Barossa Valley glass houses on Grand Designs

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The trendy suburb of Brunswick is keeping up with Melbourne’s fast-paced property market with the refurbishment of its Barkly Square shopping precinct along with a new nearby apartment complex.
A brisk stroll from Barkly Square is the new apartment complex Albert Apartments (pictured below), by Grange Development Group.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/albertapt2.jpg">
Sitting opposite a 5,665-hectare park, the Albert Street complex will comprise 150 apartments, with nine of its own retail and commercial premises.
One-bedroom apartments are priced at $369,000 to $459,000.
Two-bedroom apartments are priced at $495,000 to $660,000, and three-bedroom apartments are priced at $759,000 to $839,000.
The site was previously owned by the Sires Menswear family since 1920 but was rezoned by the Moreland Council.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/albertapt1.jpg">
“We don’t build run-of-the-mill apartments. Our projects have a point of difference, which is apartments with large living spaces, 2.7-metre ceiling heights, plus quality fixtures and fittings,” says Grange Development Group director Daniel Casper.
“Together we have achieved apartments that are 10% larger than the average and also 10% cheaper than our competitors. It’s a great balance,” says Casper.
The demand for sustainable energy efficient developments means there are 110 solar panels on the roof, expecting to meet 50% of the estimated energy requirements.
Albert Apartments are designed by Carbott Holt Architects.
The Albert Apartments are being offered for sale off the plan through Knight Frank and Avion Properties.
Construction will commence in May 2013 with an expected completion date mid to late 2014.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
The first stage of the $17 million refurbishment of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Brunswick</a>’s Barkly Square (pictured below) is set to get underway this week.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/barklysquarepic.jpg">
Due for completion in April 2013, the refurbishment will include a full upgrade of internal and external appearances and amenities.
The first stage is focused on the fresh food market precinct and includes the upgrade of Kmart, Coles and Safeway.
Stage two is set to commence in April 2013 and will focus on the McDougal Lane dining precinct and the new JB Hi-Fi store.
The new Barkly Square – 14 kilometres north of Melbourne’s CBD – will comprise of 36 specialty shops.
Located at 90-106 Sydney Road and sitting on 17,544 square metres, it is the first time the shopping precinct has received a makeover since it’s opening in November 1983.
Barkley Square is owned by property investment group ISPT Pty Ltd and managed by Jones Lang LaSalle.
Architects Villa and Villa designed the new look.
The leasable shops range from 50 square metres to 400 square metres.
The new retail mix is hoping to build on Barkley Square’s strong fresh food heritage.
“We are thrilled to deliver a brand new, reinvigorated Barkly Square to the Brunswick community,” says Frances Dimech, Barkly Square's senior marketing manager.
“Stage one will showcase some exciting developments and we look forward to celebrating Barkly Square’s 30th birthday next year with the best present of all: a fantastic shopping experience and community hub that embraces the culturally diverse atmosphere this area is know for.”
ISPT chief executive Daryl Browning told the Moreland Leader the refurbishment would ensure Barkly Square was the centre of choice for fresh food and retail services.
“By refreshing Barkly Square’s retail mix, food outlets and amenities, we are creating a contemporary and vibrant shopping destination and meeting place for the Brunswick community who call Barkly Square their local shopping centre,” says Browning.
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Sires Brunswick East store set for retailoring as Albert Apartments 

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A landmark Victorian/Edwardian red brick residence in Ivanhoe East has been listed for sale with $6 million-plus expectations.
Located at <a href="https://www.kayburton.com.au/property/39-york-avenue-ivanhoe-east" target="_blank">39 York Avenue</a>, Rangeworthy was built in 1910.
The five-bedroom, two-bathroom <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ivanhoe East</a> home was built in the Rangeworthy Estate, an area subdivided in 1901 into 107 allotments by councillor and timber merchant William J. Brewer of Fairfield Park.
The allotments were sold for 25-40 shillings per foot.
According to the <a href="https://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/vhd/heritagevic/?timeout=yes#detail_places;31478" target="_blank">Victorian Heritage Database</a>, the 107 large allotments were created for a "fashionable suburb".
The house takes its name from a property that was formerly across York Avenue from heritage-listed <a href="https://www.onmydoorstep.com.au/heritage-listing/601/ravenswood" target="_self">Ravenswood</a> and to the north-east of the house.
Thomas James was the first owner (1910-20), followed by Wilfred Bromby (c.1925-35).
The house comprises of a formal dining room, an upstairs rumpus room, and a chef’s kitchen with a double oven, remote-control gates and a four-car garage.
The property is now owned by Rob Edgley, a former investment banker and now company director of EVZ Limited and Praemium Limited.
Scott Patterson and Nicole Gleeson from Kay &amp; Burton Hawthorn have listed Rangeworthy, with offers closing December 10.
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Ivanhoe East 1910 home Rangeworthy listed with $6 million-plus hopes

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The Melbourne apartment of the late businessman Alan Hamer and his late wife, Margaret, has been listed for December 8 auction through Marshall White.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/hamer2.jpg">
The apartment comes with views across Albert Park golf course and lake towards Port Phillip Bay.
There is a spacious living/dining room with surrounding balcony, well-equipped kitchen, plus three bedrooms including main with marble ensuite and second bathroom.
More than $1 million is tipped by Mary Dowling at Marshall White.
Located at <a href="https://www.10a-29queensroadmelbourne.com/home" target="_blank">10a/29 Queens Road Melbourne</a>, the apartment is in the Sky building.  
Another apartment on level 10 of the Sky building was listed for sale in 2007 for $725,000. It had three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Hamer, who passed away age 94 in July this year, met his wife, Margaret Angas, in 1947 while working in a chemical plant at Botany Bay. Margaret, the first woman in Australia to graduate as an aeronautical engineer, died seven weeks before him.
Alan Hamer, the brother of former premier Rupert Hamer, was a prominent <place><city>Melbourne</city></place> businessman, whose directorships included ICI, Tubemakers of Australia Ltd, and Reckitt and Colman Australia. He was also president of the Melbourne Club.
He also farmed cattle in Queensland and Victoria.
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The Hamer family's Queens Road, Melbourne, Sky apartment listed

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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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