<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> has lodged plans for a $750 million, three-tower mixed-use precinct that would complete the long-running redevelopment of Carlton's former Carlton United Breweries site.

The proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/185-195-queensberry-street-carlton-vic-3053">46-78 Bouverie Street and 185-195 Queensberry Street</a> spans a 6,468 sqm site, the last remaining undeveloped parcels within the former brewery's 2007 masterplan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the development will comprise two purpose-built student accommodation towers and a third build-to-sell apartment tower above a shared commercial podium and basement.

Across the three towers, SP Setia is proposing 606 build-to-sell apartments and 1,499 student accommodation units containing 2,009 beds.

The apartments will sit in the tallest tower, which will rise nearly 200m and 55 storeys. It will become&nbsp;one of the more substantial new build-to-sell apartment projects at the northern edge of Melbourne's CBD.

The apartment mix is weighted toward smaller inner-city product, with 188 studios, 206 one-bedroom apartments, 192 two-bedroom apartments and 20 three-bedroom apartments

<img alt="First look: SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8271bc87-1b0a-41b7-ac73-a425ee375261" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/3_2.png?VersionId=G4lw23o90B1boX4k4dj7rdz2ZEajS9wy" />

Part of the precinct will be a large-scale&nbsp;3,684 sqm supermarket and a further 2,198 sqm of speciality retail, creating close to 5,900 sqm of new commercial space within the precinct.

But one of the biggest components of the proposal is what sits between the buildings.

Around 4,650 sqm, or roughly 72 per cent of the site, will be publicly accessible open space, incorporating plazas, pedestrian connections, landscaped laneways and retail spill-out areas.

The ground plane is intended to finally complete pedestrian connections envisaged when the CUB masterplan was first approved nearly two decades ago, stitching together Victoria Street, Queensberry Street, Bouverie Street and Swanston Street through the former brewery precinct.

Urbis said the development would "complete the CUB precinct", with the public realm providing important north-south and east-west connections through what is currently the final undeveloped portion of the masterplanned site.

SP Setia is also exploring a new linear park within the Bouverie Street road reserve, with the concept to be developed further with the City of Melbourne through the planning process.

The proposal is being pursued through the Victorian Government's Development Facilitation Program under Clause 53.23 for significant residential development with affordable housing.

The planning report acknowledges the proposed heights exceed those contemplated under the original Comprehensive Development Plan and masterplan, but argues the built-form context has changed considerably over the past two decades.

Urbis said the three towers would instead create a stepped transition between Carlton and the Hoddle Grid, rising progressively from the 94.1-metre Tower One along the Queensberry Street edge to the 199.44-metre Tower Three closer to the established CBD-scale buildings to the south.

<img alt="SP Setia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e885a07a-592c-40fc-bf82-e6dbaf32da54" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.52.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7s_ErUkSKAdY1mAWp3GRZgMNCGtwhk5m" />

SP Setia plans to deliver the development across three stages.

Stage One would deliver the basement, podium and retail areas for the entire precinct alongside the first student tower. Tower Two would follow in Stage Two, before the 606-apartment Tower Three is delivered as the final stage.

If approved and delivered, the project would close out a redevelopment process that has been underway since the former brewery masterplan was approved in 2007, adding more than 2,600 student beds and apartments to a precinct already home to Swanston Central, the Barak Building, RMIT Design Hub and several large student accommodation developments.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

SP Setia plans three-tower finale for Carlton’s former CUB precinct

Melbourne developer Lowe Living is seeking to add to its growing bayside apartment pipeline, filing plans for a boutique eight-residence development in tightly held Middle Park.

Lowe Living, which has built much of its development portfolio across Melbourne's affluent bayside and south-east suburbs, is behind the plans for the 730 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/123-125-erskine-street-middle-park-vic-3206">123-125 Erskine Street</a>, just off Armstrong Street and within the Armstrong Street Neighbourhood Activity Centre.

The developer is seeking approval for a five-storey residential building above two basement levels, with just eight large-format apartments and 18 car spaces.

“This is a deliberately very different proposition for us,"&nbsp;Tim Lowe, Co-Founder of Lowe Living, said.

"Eight residences is exceptionally boutique, but that's precisely what this site calls for.

“There is a strong community in Middle Park and the surrounding suburbs who have spent decades building a life here. They no longer want the maintenance of a large period home, but they aren't prepared to compromise on space, quality or location. We think there is a real opportunity to capture that hyper local market. A site like this rarely comes to market.”

<img alt="Lowe " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="875fe572-0f14-4d90-9e11-55b28dd07731" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.42.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GDNQRv9BfpR9r1zkZ5UDyUM4ZvpIksut" />

The low-density proposal has been designed by Cera Stribley and is being progressed through the Victorian Government's Great Design Fast Track pathway, having already secured eligibility from the Minister for Planning.

The Office of the Victorian Government Architect supported its eligibility after finding the proposal demonstrated consistency with the program's seven design principles, while the project's financial feasibility has also been independently confirmed by Invest Victoria.

The project is targeting the downsizer market, with the planning documents describing the homes as larger-format residences and noting the two penthouses could otherwise have been configured as four separate apartments.

<img alt="Lowe 2" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="60ab0987-2da6-4175-adac-315dcf6053c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.15%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=bOCPH0B2MFwlmaRW.TTCF9TzyifgVoQI" />

The site has dual frontage to Erskine Street and Canterbury Place and currently comprises a collection of commercial buildings used as offices, including a former heritage bakehouse, a former stable, a later gabled addition and a central courtyard.

It sits within the Commercial 1 Zone and the Armstrong Street Commercial Precinct heritage overlay, with the existing property classified as a contributory heritage place.

Heritage has subsequently played a significant role in Cera Stribley's design.

The front section of the former bakehouse facing Erskine Street will be retained, including its return walls, street-facing hipped roof and chimneys, while the Erskine Street façade and part of the western return wall of the former stable will also be incorporated into the new development.

Levels four and five will be set back five metres from the retained stable façade, while bricks removed through demolition are proposed to be salvaged and reused within the new building where possible.

<img alt="Lowe 3" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e97927a9-a2de-4a0f-83b6-65451238abfa" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-21%20at%208.43.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VR44AChLrX9q1XPB9GvVQV.ALXXbe4gC" />

Rather than presenting as a single five-storey building to Erskine Street, Cera Stribley has broken the development into a series of distinct forms.

A three-storey infill element will sit between the retained bakehouse and stable façades, with the upper levels recessed behind the heritage fabric. Canterbury Place will similarly feature two three-storey podium forms, separated by a central pedestrian accessway, before the upper two levels step back from the street.

A pedestrian through-link will run through the centre of the project between Erskine Street and Canterbury Place, creating entrances from both sides of the site and introducing landscaping and communal areas through the ground plane.

Landscape architect Acre has designed planting across the ground level, private terraces and upper levels, including a feature canopy tree at level three and integrated planting and arbours across the level four terraces. Five existing Erskine Street trees are proposed to be retained.

Sustainability is also a significant component of the Great Design Fast Track application. The apartments are targeting an average eight-star NatHERS rating, with no residence below 6.5 stars, while the project has achieved a 75 per cent BESS score. Seven of the eight apartments are designed for cross-ventilation, with the remaining residence using mechanically assisted natural ventilation.

The plans also incorporate an 8kWp rooftop solar system, a 5,000-litre rainwater tank and infrastructure allowing future electric vehicle charging for every residence.

Lowe has a strong portfolio across Melbourne's blue-chip suburbs. They recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House by Lowe Living</a> in Camberwell, their first development in the Stonnington LGA.

Lowe Living unveils Middle Park apartment development

Article summary

<ul data-end="888" data-start="289">
	<li data-end="442" data-section-id="8tsh6o" data-start="289">DVB Projects is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway at 137 Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach.</li>
	<li data-end="573" data-section-id="1nyxl3e" data-start="443">The 34-level tower will comprise just 49 ultra-luxury residences, including half-floor, full-floor and penthouse apartments.</li>
	<li data-end="717" data-section-id="oiyimj" data-start="574">The launch follows strong demand at DVB's nearby Sea Glass project, which is more than 50 per cent sold and currently under construction.</li>
	<li data-end="888" data-section-id="epk9o9" data-start="718">The development adds to the transformation of Old Burleigh Road, with premium beachfront apartment projects continuing to reshape the tightly held Broadbeach strip.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/dvb-projects">DVB Projects</a> is preparing to launch its second Gold Coast apartment development, with demolition now underway on the Broadbeach site as the Sydney developer moves closer to bringing the ultra-luxury project to market.

The 34-level tower at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/137-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach-qld-4218">137 Old Burleigh Road</a> will comprise just 49 residences, ranging from half-floor apartments through to full-floor homes and a penthouse. The launch follows the strong sales performance of DVB's nearby Sea Glass development. More than half of the apartments at Sea Glass, on the other side of Broadbeach, have been snapped up, well ahead of its late 2027 completion

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2944b4be-c84e-4b54-8dc1-c712e76704c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E02_Exterior_Street%20Level%20Entrance.jpg?VersionId=YoNig7pRdrE3HCue7sUj78LzJteeQf3H" />

The start of demolition at 137 Old Burleigh Road signals DVB Projects’ underlying confidence in the Gold Coast’s luxury beachside apartment sector.

“We see the Gold Coast as one of the most compelling lifestyle markets in Australia, particularly at the premium end where demand continues to deepen,” said Dean Brown, Managing Director of DVB.&nbsp;

“This project has been carefully designed to respond to that demand - delivering large-format residences with a level of quality, privacy and amenity that is still relatively rare in the apartment market on the beachside."

Brown says the site itself is "exceptional."

"Old Burleigh Road is one of the most tightly held beachfront strips, and opportunities to deliver a project of this scale and calibre in this location are extremely limited.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="398f377a-c037-455e-9250-0c5e0d84c35b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/I12_FF%20Balcony.jpg?VersionId=NwOiRWGMubR1c8wthuEfggklcja7al9." />

The project will comprise 40 half-floor residences of approximately 260 sqm, alongside eight full-floor residences spanning around 524 sqm.

A single penthouse will crown the building, featuring a private pool, barbecue area, indoor gym and dedicated entertaining spaces.

Residents will have access to a resort-style suite of amenities, including a 20-metre pool with daybeds, a gymnasium, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and private residents’ lounge and dining facilities.

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1642bb0-9a66-4427-a022-dfc0988c6287" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/A02_Pool%20to%20View.jpg?VersionId=c0IXPyn_Gp_Kn3XCwzMrqIVkAdCEwVXP" />

Sales agent Todd Matheson, of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/pezet-matheson">Pezet Matheson</a>, which is marketing both 137 Old Burleigh Road and Sea Glass, said 137 Old Burleigh Road would address a clear gap in the market for genuine luxury products.

“There are very few opportunities on the Gold Coast where buyers can secure a residence of this size and quality in a new building,” Matheson said.

“What we’re seeing is a growing cohort of downsizers and interstate buyers who still want space - they’re not willing to compromise on living area, entertaining or finishes.

“This project has been designed with that buyer in mind. It offers the scale of a home, combined with the convenience and security of apartment living, in one of the coast’s most desirable positions.”

<img alt="DVB Projects to commence demolition on $320m Broadbeach luxury tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59aae0ca-5639-4320-8aca-d0bf60f48e43" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/E01_Exterior%20Hero.jpg?VersionId=DS8Zfy2WtgUEtdfe0TEUuf1W1GfcZq8S" />

Located on a 1,156 sqm site one block from the beachfront, the development will replace an ageing walk-up building and is expected to contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Old Burleigh Road strip into one of the Gold Coast’s most prestigious residential corridors.

With the development moving into the delivery phase, 137 Old Burleigh Road is slated to hit the market later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145141]

DVB Projects to launch second Broadbeach apartment tower as demolition commences

<a data-end="327" data-is-only-node="" data-start="250" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/norus-projects" rel="noopener" target="_new">Norus Developments</a> has lodged plans for a new apartment development in Clayton that would add further momentum to the suburb's emerging Green Street corridor.

Plans have been lodged for the consolidated site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1359-1365-centre-road-clayton-vic-3168">1359-1365 Centre Road</a>, where Norus is seeking approval for 218 apartments across a 12-storey apartment building designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/life-architecture-and-urban-design">Life Architecture</a>.

The proposal sits within the Clayton Major Activity Centre at the threshold of the planned Green Street corridor, a landscaped pedestrian connection intended to improve links through the precinct towards Clayton Railway Station.

The development would replace the site's existing collection of low-scale residential and commercial buildings with a single consolidated building, introducing significantly greater housing density to this part of Centre Road.

A retail tenancy is proposed at ground level to activate the Centre Road frontage, accompanied by transparent street interfaces and landscaping intended to create a more pedestrian-focused edge to the development.

<img alt="First look: Norus Developments plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a5a763a-d9e9-4253-af2f-88008de27ebf" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Clayton%20a.png?VersionId=S2WJJbat1XVkZwB9SnYtygirXgWHiklX" />

The building has been designed with stepped massing and upper-level setbacks to manage its transition towards surrounding residential properties. The planning report describes the approach as one that integrates the building into the landscape rather than treating landscaping as a secondary element.

"A strong landscape and public realm strategy underpins the proposal," Urbis states in the planning report.

"Public benefits include an affordable housing contribution, a new pocket park, generous landscaped setbacks, deep soil planting and integrated Water Sensitive Urban Design."

The report adds that these elements are intended to create "a permeable, pedestrian-focused ground plane that enhances walkability, supports urban cooling and reinforces the emerging Green Street character."

Biophilic and passive design principles extend through the residential levels, with planting, daylight, natural ventilation and views towards landscaped areas forming part of the amenity strategy.

Parking would be concentrated away from the public realm, with 145 car spaces proposed from the rear laneway rather than dominating the Centre Road frontage.

The proposal follows an extensive pre-application process with the City of Monash. Three formal meetings were held between the project team and Council from December 2025 to March 2026, with the scheme evolving through several concept iterations before the current design was lodged.

The project arrives as Clayton prepares for substantial change around its established activity centre and the wider Suburban Rail Loop precinct. Its position on Centre Road places the development within an existing concentration of shops, services and public transport, while the Green Street connection is intended to strengthen pedestrian access towards Clayton Railway Station.

First look: Norus plans landscape-led apartment project for Clayton’s emerging Green Street

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a> has officially commenced construction on Bronze on Chevron, celebrating the sod turning of its first-ever Gold Coast development and marking a significant milestone in the company's continued expansion across South East Queensland.&nbsp;

Following the successful delivery of premium residential developments throughout Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-chevron-island-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> represents Gardner Vaughan Group's entry into the Gold Coast market. Bronze will deliver 119 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments above two ground-level retail tenancies.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367193]

The recent sod turning ceremony was attended by Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel, President of the Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club, Cassandra Sedgman, project consultants, purchasers, project partners and invited guests to celebrate the commencement of construction.&nbsp;

Gardner Vaughan Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge said Bronze on Chevron represented an exciting new chapter for the business.&nbsp;

"We've spent almost four decades building homes that respond to the way people want to live, and we're excited to bring that experience to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/chevron-island-qld-4217">Chevron Island</a>," Betteridge said.

"Bronze on Chevron is particularly significant because it marks Gardner Vaughan Group's first development on the Gold Coast following many successful projects across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107520 project_image_fid=367183]

Betteridge said the ground breaking is a proud moment for the&nbsp;team and their purchasers, who can now see their future homes beginning to take shape.&nbsp;

"As both developer and builder, we're able to oversee every aspect of the project from design through to construction, ensuring the quality and attention to detail Gardner Vaughan Group has become renowned for."&nbsp;

Designed by acclaimed architectural practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, Bronze on Chevron has been thoughtfully designed to complement Chevron Island's evolving streetscape while embracing its relaxed coastal lifestyle.

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=107520]

The development will offer generous residences with refined interiors, premium finishes and resort-style amenities, with completion anticipated in early 2029

Gardner Vaughan Group breaks ground on first Gold Coast development, Bronze on Chevron

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

Want to find out more? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UrbanAustralia?utm_source=YouTube&amp;utm_medium=Video&amp;utm_campaign=Subscribe&amp;utm_id=Subscribe">Subscribe to our YouTube channel</a> for more property videos.

Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

For most Australians, buying an apartment is one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make

The location, floorplan and price are often the first considerations, but in recent years another question has become increasingly important: who is actually delivering the project?

A series of high-profile builder collapses, construction delays and defect concerns have fundamentally changed how many Victorians approach buying off the plan. The collapse of Porter Davis in 2023, which reportedly left around 1,700 homes unfinished, became one of the most visible examples of the risks that can emerge when a construction company fails. <a href="https://www.equifax.com.au/sites/default/files/lpassets/pdf/Final-Business-Market-Pulse-June-Sector-Deep-Dive-Report-2.pdf">Similar challenges across the broader construction sector</a> have left buyers asking more questions before signing a contract.

As Victoria continues encouraging higher-density housing to address supply shortages, transparency is becoming just as important as location or price.

One tool increasingly entering the conversation is the <a href="https://icirt.com/">Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT)</a>, an independent assessment framework designed to help buyers better understand the developer or builder behind a project. Originally developed by Equifax in consultation with government and industry as part of NSW's Construct NSW reforms, the system has since expanded nationally.

<h2 data-end="1519" data-section-id="7nmx3" data-start="1492">What is an iCIRT rating?</h2>

Most Australians are familiar with independent ratings in everyday life.

We compare ANCAP safety ratings before buying a car. We look at Health Star Ratings in supermarkets. Banks rely on credit assessments when lending money.

Until recently, however, there has been very little independent information available to help apartment buyers assess the business responsible for delivering a residential project.

That gap is what iCIRT was designed to address.

Builders, developers and other construction professionals with an iCIRT rating have demonstrated high-trust characteristics through an independent, evidence-based assessment across six criteria: Character, Capability, Conduct, Capacity, Capital and Counterparties. This involves a rigorous review of financial health, past project track record, and ethical conduct. Crucially, an iCIRT rating could help provide property buyers with confidence that they are working with a professional who has demonstrated the capability, capacity, and willingness to return and rectify issues.

Importantly, iCIRT is not a recommendation to purchase a particular property, nor is it a traditional credit rating. It is an independent assessment framework designed to provide objective information about a construction business using a <a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Methodology-Issue1-May-2021.pdf">published methodology</a>.

The system has been widely adopted in New South Wales, where more than one-third of medium and large residential builders and developers now hold an iCIRT rating, representing over two-thirds of the state's residential building market by value as of 2025/26.

<h2 data-end="3126" data-section-id="h6ohtj" data-start="3084">Why buyers are doing more due diligence</h2>

For many buyers, particularly those purchasing off the plan, the biggest risk isn't whether they'll like the kitchen finishes.

It's whether the project will be delivered on time, to the expected quality, and by a company capable of completing the development.

<a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/iCIRT%202025%20Consumer%20Survey%20Report%20v05.pdf">Consumer research commissioned by iCIRT</a> found more than half of respondents believed current protections do not adequately safeguard buyers from builder insolvencies or defective projects. Other research found 88 per cent of prospective buyers would seek independent ratings or due diligence before purchasing, while 90 per cent said trust in construction professionals is essential.

That doesn't mean buyers should rely on a single rating alone.

Independent legal advice, understanding the contract, and seeking financial advice all remain important parts of the due diligence process.

However, an independent assessment can provide another source of information alongside those traditional checks.

<h2 data-end="4138" data-section-id="pquzxc" data-start="4094">Trust is becoming a competitive advantage</h2>

The conversation isn't only changing for buyers.

Developers are also recognising that trust has become an increasingly important part of the sales process.

Five years ago, purchasers typically asked about floorplans, finishes and settlement dates.

Today, sales teams are increasingly being asked about the developer's experience, financial stability, previous projects and construction partners.

For companies with strong governance and established delivery records, an independent iCIRT rating provides another way to demonstrate those credentials before buyers even visit a display suite.

According to Equifax, the assessment can also help businesses drive sales and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/icirt-rating-helps-scion-secure-high-value-projects">secure high-value projects</a>, as well as identify operational improvements and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/mirvac-reinforces-brand-trust-and-quality-independent-icirt-rating">attract top talent</a>.

<h2 data-end="4962" data-section-id="1j54ng5" data-start="4912">Beyond buyers: lenders are paying attention too</h2>

The influence of independent construction ratings is also extending beyond consumers.

According to Stamford Capital's Real Estate Debt Capital Markets Survey, an increasing number of lenders now incorporate iCIRT ratings into their due diligence processes when assessing residential development finance applications.

The survey found lender adoption has continued to rise, with many respondents saying independent assessments provide additional insight into governance, counterparties and delivery capability beyond traditional financial analysis. Some lenders also reported declining funding applications where businesses had poor or no ratings.

As construction costs remain elevated and access to development finance becomes more selective, demonstrating credibility is becoming increasingly valuable.

<h2 data-end="5801" data-section-id="1qazuxs" data-start="5772">What it means for Victoria</h2>

Victoria's apartment market is entering a new phase.

The state is seeking to accelerate higher-density housing while simultaneously introducing reforms aimed at improving confidence in residential construction.

For buyers, that means there are more tools available than ever before to research the businesses behind a project.

For developers, it signals that transparency is becoming another point of differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.

Buyers are asking more questions than ever before and increasingly expecting independent information, not just marketing material, before making one of the biggest financial commitments of their lives.

Find out how to get iCIRT rated <a href="https://www.icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Infographic-Assessment-Process-Final.pdf">here</a>.

<hr data-end="6469" data-start="6466" />
The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal, financial, legal or tax advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances before acting on it and, where appropriate, seek independent professional advice.

This article contains links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. Equifax Australia does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of external sites.

Copyright © 2026 Equifax Australia Information Services and Solutions Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Buying off-the-plan in Melbourne? How independent iCIRT ratings are set to change Victorian property

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Australian Property Monitors (APM) has released a list of results from 338 auctions in Melbourne for the weekend of March 24. <a style="font-size: 14px; text-align: left;" href="https://www.homepriceguide.com.au/saturday_auction_results/Melbourne.pdf" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the auction results, and click on each street address to see the property's marketing.
 
 
 
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APM's 338 Melbourne auction results 

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The auction clearance rate improved slightly in both Sydney and Melbourne over the weekend ahead of next weekend’s pre-Easter super Saturday weekend.
Melbourne achieved a clearance rate of 61% over the weekend, compared with 59% last weekend and 59% over the same weekend in 2011.
“The level of demand this weekend is consistent with the performance of the market over the last two months and provides an indication about how it will perform over the winter months,” says Enzo Raimondo, CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. “From the perspective of auction volumes this fortnight marks the high point for the market this year, with around 1,870 homes expected to be offered for sale,” he says.
Next weekend 1,050 auctions are expected in Melbourne. The following weekend has only 40 auctions scheduled due to the Easter holiday.
St Kilda, the busiest suburb this past weekend with 17 auctions came close to matching the Melbourne average, with a 59% clearance rate. Eight properties sold at auction and two sold ahead of auction, with the most expensive being a four-bedroom unit on Marine Parade that sold for $625,000.
There were fewer buyers willing to meet the reserve price in Richmond, the second busiest Melbourne suburb of the weekend. It managed a clearance rate of just 43%, with six sold and eight passed in. The most expensive property was a four-bedroom house on Griffiths Street that sold for $1.08 million through Biggins Scott.
Kieran Whaley, director of Barry Plant Ivanhoe and Rosanna, tweeted that his team had sold four out of five properties on Saturday, with “all smashing reserves”.
The Melbourne property market performed dependably for yet another week, notes WBP Property Advisory.

“These results are consistent with recent weeks where quality real estate continues to transact because of strong demand and average properties demonstrate difficulty in attracting buyers, resulting in increased pressure on vendors to reduce asking prices. “This provides a level of predictability and greater certainty regarding price expectations for buyers and sellers,” WBP’s Greville Pabst says.
Sydney’s auction clearance rate improved to 60.3% over the weekend, with 205 properties sold out of 302 auctions. This is up from 56.4% last weekend and slightly up on the 59.6% achieved for the same weekend last year.
The top sale of the weekend was a four-bedroom house on Goodhope Street in Paddington that sold for $4.9 million through McGrath Edgecliff.
The median auction price for houses was $845,000 and $580,000 for units.
Cooley Auctions managed a 52% success rate in Sydney, with 26 out of 50 properties selling over the weekend.
Cooley’s most notable sale was a one-bedroom apartment in Circular Quay with “breathtaking views over Sydney Harbour Bridge” that sold for $1.5 million through Morton &amp; Morton.
Stephen Nell, chief executive of Ray White NSW, tweeted the success of Ray White Castle Hill, which sold three out of a five properties.
 
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Auction clearance rate picks up in Sydney and Melbourne ahead of pre-Easter super Saturday

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There's now a website, <a href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/" target="_blank">www.propertytycoon.com.au</a>, where punters can guess auction results in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with no outlay. It's mostly about testing your market knowledge with a small cash prize as a sweetener.
Although the Brisbane auction market has been showing signs of life in recent weeks, this week all five properties featured on auction tipping competition Property Tycoon were passed in.
“The clear message coming from the Brisbane market is the auction system is not being used to sell property under the hammer but to flush out a buyer and negotiate afterwards,” says Mark Armstrong of Property Tycoon.
The Melbourne property in the competition featured on Property Observer last week, 14 Airlie Avenue, Prahran (pictured below) fared better.
<img src="/images/stories/airlie.jpg">
“A large crowd of around 100 turned out for the auction at 14 Airlie Avenue, Prahran, but although many parties had shown interest in the property only two were prepared to put up their hand when the auction started,” Armstrong says.
“One bidder was very strong and clearly wanted the property. It was passed in to him at $2.5 million and after a short negotiation it sold for $2.65 million.
<img src="/images/stories/wycombe.jpg">
But the Sydney unit at 1/95 Wycombe Road, Neutral Bay was passed in on a vendor bid of $1.55 million.
 
 
 
 
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cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Brisbane market struggles to maintain momentum, with all five Property Tycoon properties passed in

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Australia today is missing a hidden key ingredient in identifying just why our productivity remains in a spiralling decline. As a real estate agent, I speak with many purchasers on a daily basis, and a common theme keeps resonating through – yes, we are experiencing a mining boom. But on the other hand we are clearly right in the middle of a “white-collar” recession, which clearly identifies a conservative economic holding pattern while weathering this storm.
It is an unknown of whether this storm will pass with minimal damage or inflict massive destruction of cyclonic proportions. Personally, I lean towards a holding pattern that will deliver minimal growth with households continuing to suppress expenditure.
Many businesses are facing savage headwinds in the form of a strong Australian dollar and consumers reducing their household spending while focusing on being actively employed until our markets start performing again – which, in all probability, could be until the next federal election in 18 months.
Productivity growth has been weak in recent years, which has lowered Australia’s potential growth rate. Our estimates suggest potential growth was 3.5% to 3.75% per annum for 2000 to 2005, but it is closer to 2.5% to 2.75% now. Without a pick-up in productivity, Australia will probably have to accept lower GDP growth, higher unemployment and higher interest rates.
Construction for new home starts in the December quarter came in at 33,700, which is equivalent to the number of starts recorded in the early 1970s. Reserve Bank of Australia deputy governor Philip Lowe recently noted that the GFC has brought about a consumer mood swing, and the days of inflating earnings by relying on capital gains in assets are no longer. Households are now experiencing life after an unprecedented two decades of economic growth.
GDP growth has been below 3% since 2008, inflation sits around the RBA mid-point of 2.5%, unemployment remains static with a possibility it may start spiking upwards, and house prices, just like share prices, indicate clearly we have asset price deflation. RP Data announced that in the December quarter 2011 that 6.4% of homes were in negative equity, up from 4.9% in the previous quarter.
This statistic identifies why I am against first-home buyer’s grants given we are not building enough properties to meet demand – hence upward spiralling rents. These grants are much like throwing lollies on to a highway – resulting in huge road toll.
The Gillard government is abolishing the popular living away from home allowance (LAFHA) from July 2012 – Treasurer Wayne Swan said “the tax exemption for living away from home was being rorted by highly paid executives and foreign workers”. So at a time when we have a severe skills shortage within Australia from July, Australia won’t be able to attract any overseas employees? This will then place Australian businesses under greater pressures given these 457 visa holders will now seek employment elsewhere outside Australia. The government will save approximately $350 million based on a $7 billion shortfall in tax revenues in 2011-12.
This decision will have a huge impact on rental markets as 457 visa holders leave our shores – this will definitely impact our rental markets (especially houses.) The LAFHA will significantly impact many businesses, as this was previously used to entice overseas staff to Australian businesses due to our skills shortage. The result will be that Australian businesses will be faced with higher costs, which in turn will result in lower productivity given that they will remove this facility from their business models.
This decision comes at a time when finally NSW is out-performing all the other non-mining states for the first time in over a decade. Analysis of the national accounts identifies that for the 11 years before June 2011, NSW’s annualised demand growth was a percentage point lower than all the other non-mining states.
The O’Farrell NSW government is finally looking at reducing its exorbitant payroll tax rate, which currently stands at 5.45%. This is hardly completive with Victoria at 4.9% and Queensland at 4.75%.
Given the Gillard government’s decision to scrap the LAFHA, NSW urgently needs to assist business by enticing employees to what was once considered Australia’s greatest state. I refused to use “premier state” given the previous premiers helped destroy it.
Look no further than last weekend’s Queensland election to see how an unhappy electorate can destroy a once strong and proud political party. Queensland Labor, just like NSW Labor, will in all probability never recover.
It all comes down to taking care of business – they pay the bills and the taxes (as do their employees).
Not since the recession of the early 1990s has Australia seen such a “white-collar” economic malfunction, The RBA needs to act immediately and shave aggressively 125 basis points from the cash rate.
If the RBA is independent, why does the elected federal government appoint all the board members?
 
Robert Simeon is a director of <a title="RWM" target="_blank" href="https://www.rwm.com.au/">Richardson  Wrench Mosman and Neutral Bay </a>and has been selling residential real estate in Sydney since 1985. He has also been writing real estate blog <a title="Virtual Realty News" target="_blank" href="https://www.rwm.com.au/news/">Virtual Realty News</a> since 2000. The RWM real estate model has sold in excess of $1 billion in database sales globally.
 
 
 
 
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robertsimeon-hRNTwJyXkQ

Government changes and interest rate cuts needed to fight Australia’s white-collar recession

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If you want to take the pulse of the Aussie spirit, have a look at how we approach business. We love it – we have 2.5 million registered businesses in this country and one of the highest rates of business start-ups in the world, running at around 15% of the business population each year.
We’re a nation of entrepreneurs – a settler economy opened up by waves of migrants happy for stability and freedom and willing to work hard for a better life.
Yet we don’t really tell ourselves this story in the way that Americans do.
In my experience the entrepreneur’s journey starts with concepts such as change, difference and improvement. Entrepreneurs look at how they can bring a different approach or product to the market. Or they see a chance to improve on what’s being offered already or they see an opportunity to change the consumer’s experience.
In many respects, the entrepreneur is the consumer’s friend. We see the world from what the buyer really wants, if only she were offered it.
But an entrepreneur is not only an “ideas person”; she must also be a business builder. They need the intellectual curiosity and a dogged dedication to hard work.
Entrepreneurs have to be up for a fight. You need that toughness because the most successful entrepreneurs are “disrupters” – people who see industries protected by high barriers of entry and decide to take them on, with a point of difference.
And these large industries – banking, airlines, phones companies etc. – will do what they can to stop newcomers competing with them.
So some of the highest-profile entrepreneurs are as famous for never giving up as they are for their business acumen. Think of Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin brand, which took on music production and retailing, airlines and banking; or John Ilhan, the Australian who built Crazy John’s phone retailing and ended up in a long fight with Telstra.
True entrepreneurs find it hard to give up. We don’t like being discouraged or intimidated.
I founded both Wizard Home Loans and Yellow Brick Road on a point of difference: a mortgage at a better price and a full-service financial services firm with advice at affordable rates.
I’m involved in a company called TZ – it replaces existing technology with something smarter and more efficient.
They all started with intellectual curiosity. But they were built by doing long days and staying focused when mistakes were made and major fights loomed.
However, those who want to be entrepreneurs should not be confused between toughness and arrogance.
Toughness allows you to keep going with a positive attitude.
But arrogance is another form of delusion.
Arrogance takes away your greatest tool as an entrepreneur: failure.
All the best entrepreneurs have stumbled and fallen in their careers. But they don’t crumble: they use their mistakes to learn, to reorganise, to make a better mousetrap, to come back bigger and better than before.
I have made many mistakes in my journey and all of them contributed to the successes.
But arrogance will not let you see your mistakes.
Lastly, fear. Everyone who tries to build a business will experience fear at some point. The stakes get high, and success or failure seems to hinge on a single decision. It can be gruelling.
The worst thing about fear is that it either stuns you into doing nothing, or it clouds your judgement, making irrational actions seem acceptable.
To avoid this, make yourself see fear objectively, as another obstacle but not an insurmountable one. Put it on your to-do list, as an item. But whatever you do, don’t let fear run the show.
There is no template for being an entrepreneur: do your homework, have a plan, get good people around you. Everyone will tell you this. But the real test of the entrepreneur is that you want to build something and nothing will stop you.
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of <a href="https://www.ybr.com.au/" target="_blank">Yellow Brick Road</a>, a financial services company offering home loans, financial planning, accounting and tax, and insurance.
 
 
 
 
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mbouris-tauSvXGAM2

Entrepreneurs must know the difference between toughness and arrogance: Mark Bouris

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Locations as diverse as inner-Sydney’s Leichhardt, the Northern Territory’s Humpty Doo, home to the Big Boxing Crocodile, and well-to-do Victorian country towns like Kyenton head an exclusive list of just 25 suburbs that have managed average annual price growth of at least 10% since 2009, the end of the GFC.
The 25 suburbs are culled from the Smart Investor magazine’s top 601 suburbs list and include only those that also managed median dwelling growth of at least 10% growth during 2011.
The hotspot list is based on those suburbs where dwelling prices appreciated the greatest over the 12 months to December 2011.
The list is made up of nine suburbs in Sydney, nine locations in Victoria, three in the Northern Territory, two mining towns in Queensland (Moranbah and Blackwater) and one mining town each in South Australia (Ceduna) and Western Australia (South Hedland).
It includes the curious-sounding Humpty Doo, a small Northern Territory town that is home to the eight-metre-high Big Boxing Crocodile and perhaps less well known as housing hotspot.
Humpty Doo house prices have risen by 24.8% on average annually over the past three years, assisted by its close proximity (40 kilometres) to resource boom beneficiary Darwin. However, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Humpty Doo is also on RP Data's list of the slowest-selling localities in the Northern Territory</a>.
The standout performer in the past year is also in the Northern Territory – Tennant Creek, where median house prices increased by 24% over 2011 to a median of $230,000 and have risen by an average of 20.3% annually over the past three years.
The latest figures from RP Data show Tennant Creek house prices up 34.4% over the past 12 months with a median weekly rent of $357 and a median of $215,000 equating to a yield of around 8.6%.
Tennant Creek is one of two 2012 mining hotspots picked by Hotspotting.com.au’s Terry Ryder because of its “cattle properties, tourist attractions and mining sites”. Hotspotting.com.au forecasts annual long-term capital growth of 14% in Tennant Creek.
In Sydney, the inner-west suburb of Leichhardt is the standout performer, while the list is also notable for the inclusion of previously unfashionable locations such as the outlying suburb of Cabramatta, famous for its Vietnamese food and cheap Asian shops.
The Victoria list is notable for its lack of any Melbourne suburbs and inclusion of country towns along the Macedon Ranges route to Bendigo such as Hillside, Kyenton and Gisborne. The Victoria list also includes the Bendigo suburb of Strathdale and the Ballarat suburb of Soldiers Hill.
NSW
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
Median price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12 month growth in median price to Dec 2011
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Average annual growth over three years to Dec 2011
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Leichhardt units
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$617,500
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
22.3%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
16.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Canley Vale
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$443,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
16.6%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Hillsdale units
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$413,750
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
14.9%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Cabramatta units
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$258,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12.1%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
14.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Summer Hill units
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$499,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.6%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
11.7%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Ashfield units
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$478,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.4%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
11.5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Condell Park houses
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$536,250
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.4%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Belfield houses
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$700,500
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.4%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Paddington units
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$600,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.1%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Victoria
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
Median house price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12 month growth in median price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Average annual growth over three years
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
McCrae houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$632,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
19.2%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.6%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
Drysdale houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$400,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
15.9%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
13.3%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
Kyneton houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$380,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12.8%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
15%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
White Hills houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$380,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12.8%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
15%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
Portarlington houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$415,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.3%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
11.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
Castlemaine houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$325,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.2%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
9.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
Gisborne houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$450,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
9.8%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
11.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
Strathdale houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$360,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
9.7%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
Soldiers Hill houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$285,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
9.6%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12.2%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 NT
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
Median house price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12 month growth in median price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Average annual growth over three years
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Tenant Creek houses
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$230,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
24.3%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
20.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Roseberry units
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$433,500
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
11.2%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.1%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Humpty Doo houses
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$525,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
8.8%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
24.8%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Queensland
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
Median house price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12 month growth in median price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Average annual growth over three years
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
Moranbah houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$615,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
25%+
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
16.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
Blackwater houses
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$365,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
16.7%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
10.6%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 South Australia
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
Median house price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12 month growth in median price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Average annual growth over three years
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="140" valign="top">
Ceduna houses
</td>
<td width="107" valign="top">
$265,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12.8%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
16.5%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Western Australia
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
Median house price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
12 month growth in median price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Average annual growth over three years
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="130" valign="top">
South Hedland
</td>
<td width="116" valign="top">
$750,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
7.9%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
13.7%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</body></html>

Humpty Doo, home of the Big Boxing Crocodile, among eclectic mix of 25 post-GFC hotspot kings

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The prestige suburb of Mosman on Sydney’s lower north shore will have the most auctions in the city this weekend, with 11 auctions scheduled out of a total of 420, according to Australian Property Monitors (APM). 
Earlier this week, Property Observer reported that prominent <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/bankers-are-supposedly-bailing-but-mosmans-mandolong-house-reputedly-sells-for-bullish-%2418-million/2012031853893" target="_blank">Goldman Sachs Sydney stockbroker Richard Coppleson</a> had advised his clients that he'd  heard stories that Mosman was in a "huge state of distress" as bankers bailed from the prestige property market. 
The other Sydney suburb with a flurry of auction activity this weekend is Maroubra in the eastern suburbs, where eight auctions are scheduled. 
This weekend’s Sydney auction volumes are 20% higher than the same weekend last year. 
In total, APM has 752 auctions listed in Sydney for the March 31 “super Saturday” weekend, 28% more than the same time last year. 
Melbourne is also building to a 1,000-plus super Saturday weekend. 
According to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) there are 820 auctions scheduled in Melbourne this weekend, with 17 scheduled in St Kilda and 14 in Richmond. 
This is slightly below the 872 auctions recorded for the same weekend last year, which had a clearance rate of 59%. 
The REIV expects about 1,070 auctions in Melbourne for the March 31 weekend, the first time since the December 11, 2010 weekend that auction numbers will tip over 1,000.
Last year there were five weekends with more than 950 auctions.
The year-to-date clearance rate in Melbourne is 62% from 3,625 auctions. At the same time last year the clearance rate was 67% and in 2010 a much higher 87%.
 
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Mosman in Sydney and St Kilda in Melbourne to have most auctions this weekend in lead-up to pre-Easter super Saturday 

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12/46 Kingsville Street, Kingsville, VIC, 3102
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; max-width: 480px;" src="/images/stories/kingsville.jpg"> 
This one-bedroom ground-floor apartment is currently leased for $200 per week, and Barry Plant agent Peter Nichols says this is slightly under market rent. The tenants are on an expired lease, and Nichols says the property could probably rent for $220 per week. The property has parking onsite and is within walking distance of shops. 
Nichols <a target="_blank" href="https://www.barryplant.com.au/property.cfm?propertyID=1985566&amp;realestate=46_Kingsville_st_KINGSVILLE_VIC_3012&amp;menuItemID=41628">is marketing the property</a> with price hopes of $200,000 plus, and if it sells for $200,000 that would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 5.2% at its current rent or 5.7% if it were rented for $220 per week. Both are significantly higher than the indicative gross rental yield for Kingsville units of 4.2%, according to RP Data. 
<a href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT" target="_blank">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $3,000 and over five years to be $6,000.
The median unit price in Kingsville went up by 2.5% in the past year, according to RP Data.
The property will be open for inspection on Saturday, March 24 at noon and will go to auction on Saturday, March 31 at 10.30am.
For more about prices and yields in Kingsville, see the <a target="_blank" href="/news">RP Data suburb page.</a>
For another investment prospect open for inspection this weekend, see page 2.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
104 Stella Street, Fairfield Heights, NSW, 2165
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; max-width: 480px;" src="/images/stories/stellast.jpg"> 
The tenant in this three-bedroom house is paying $380 per week and is on an expired lease. Pretti Real Estate agent Stephen Jurinic says this is below market rent, and the property could be leased for between $400 and $420 per week. The house has timber floors, a timber kitchen and a detatched room that could make a good home office.
Jurinic is marketing the property with price hopes of $480,000 plus, and if it sells at that price it would secure an investor a gross rental yield of 4.2% at its current rent. If it were rented for $420 per week, that would secure a gross rental yield of 4.6%, below the indicative gross rental yield for Fairfield houses of 5.1%, according to RP Data. The gross rental yield does not consider the costs of maintaining the property, including council rates and other fees such as water bills and managing agent fees.
<a href="https://calc.washingtonbrown.com.au/wbdcalculator/calculator.aspx?RID=HPCAZOPTTT" target="_blank">Washington Brown</a> estimates the first-year tax depreciation deduction to be $10,000 and over five years to be $28,000.
The median house price in Fairfield Heights rose by 7.2% in the past year, according to RP Data.
The property will be open for inspection on Saturday, March 24 at noon and will go to auction on Saturday, March 31 at 2pm.
For more about prices and yields in Fairfield Heights, see the RP Data suburb page.
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Friday form guide: Yields of up to 5.7% in Kingsville

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I met with Danielle this week for a coffee.   Danielle is a part-time town planner and mum to three kids.  I’d met Danielle when she’d asked me about helping her with a medium-density development.
Then, through some unfortunate circumstances Danielle found herself a single mum.  She couldn’t finance a larger development.  But she used her experience and prowess in understanding the planning process to make herself a cool $70,000 profit from a simple two lot subdivision.
Danielle purchased a large lot in a new release of a big, well-known development in the Hunter region of NSW.  My first reaction was, “You can’t buy a lot in a new release and then subdivide it, as there are restrictions under the 88B Instrument in the contract”.  A Section 88B Instrument is the part of a deposited plan that upon registration can put certain restrictions on the land.
You would assume a large developer would protect the right for someone to come in and then subdivide its lots, especially in a new, upmarket release.  But Danielle went through the massive contract with a fine-tooth comb, and with her ability to read the local environment plan and development control play and understand what the council would allow, and what she was legally permitted to do, she went for it.
There was one hiccup when the town planner managing her development application started to question it.  But as she’d had no opposition from the vendor, the original developer or her neighbours, she was able to talk her way around this.  Once approved, she paid for the necessary works and then soon sold off both smaller lots and made her profit.  Go girl!  So I thought I’d explain to you more detail about subdivision. Because although it worked out well for Danielle, it can be costly and not so rewarding if not managed the right way.
Subdivision is one of the many strategies you can use to develop property.  It involves converting one piece of land or existing dwellings into several.
Raw land subdivision entails legally and physically converting raw, undeveloped land into developed land so that one or more buildings – residential, commercial or industrial – can be constructed.  As you will be changing the land’s usage and appearance, for example perhaps from a rural rezoned paddock into a residential land subdivision, you’ll also be building the infrastructure required such as roads, paths, drainage systems, water, sewerage and perhaps even public utilities such as a park.
You can also subdivide developed land (much more easily) by simply splitting a block in half.
Subdivision of existing buildings is the conversion of a single title to multiple titles. For instance, a block of 10 units on a single title –often referred to as units “in one line” – can be converted into individual titles such a strata title. This is a great way to add value to the properties and allows you to sell them off individually.
Subdivision is a great development strategy for the current market conditions.  It gives you flexibility to play is safe and sell off a newly created piece of land to reduce your loan, or to hold and add value to the property by registering the new lots and holding or further developing them.
The objective here is to have a creative outlook while searching for potential subdivision sites, as it is this creativity that can determine the success of the development.
So when would you subdivide?
An investor might buy a dwelling that is on a large piece of land, where he or she can renovate a house and then subdivide, or perhaps a home owner living on a potential development site where subdivision may be permissible. The site will, however, need to meet council regulations.  The first question you need to ask the council is, “What is the minimum lot size?”  You can find this out from your council’s Development Control Plan for Subdivision and their guidelines.  The minimum lot size will vary from council to council and from different zonings. For instance, the residential minimum lot size will be smaller than the rural zoned land size.  One council I work with has a residential minimum lot size is 450 square metres.  So we can subdivide a 900sqm corner block into two lots. However, if we had a 900-square-metre piece of land that was not on a corner, then we could not subdivide this, as we also need to allow for a driveway to access the back lot and the area needed for the driveway is in addition to the minimum 450 square metres.  So we would need a block of land approximately 1,100 square metres in size to be able to subdivide and allow for our access handle.   Another type of property to look for is land with two street frontages, so if it is 900 square metres in size and the minimum lot size is 450 square metres you can literally cut it in half and each lot will have its own street frontage.
Different types of subdivision
When looking to develop with subdivision, it’s important you understand the different types of subdivisions. Getting professional advice will help you to make the best decision for your site and also which potential purchase will make the process through council the smoothest.
Strata subdivision – Dividing a property into separate units, apartments or villas.  Strata is land title based on the horizontal division of air space and may involve common areas shared by each title holder and usually managed by a strata manager.
Torrens subdivision – Dividing one land lot into two or more separate land titles. This form of subdivision gives the owner complete autonomy with their land as they don’t have to answer to the strata manager or adhere to certain strata rules and regulations.
Community subdivision – A development with common property such as roads may be used by all residents.
The figures
When budgeting for your subdivision you’ll need to start with a realistic target for how much the completed development will be worth, and then subtract costs to calculate profitability. It’s important to run a feasibility analysis on the subdivision (<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/how-to-determine-if-a-site-is-feasible-for-development/2012031453848">covered in detail in last week’s article</a>) including possible costs for stamp duty, legal fees, surveyor services, council application and developer charges, civil works and service connections such as gas electricity and water.
Make sure you also discuss your subdivision strategy with an accountant and understand the possible tax and GST implications if you are planning to sell.  You will also need to estimate your holding costs such as interest on your loan and rates.  This can be a real drain on finances if the process drags out and you are not getting any income from the land to help offset your holding costs, so time is money in this type of development.  Try negotiating long settlement periods with permission to lodge a DA from the vendor or buy under an option.
Location
Getting the location right can either make or break your development success. Research is important here to ensure you are building a property where people in that area want to live. You have to totally remove yourself from the development, as you won’t be living in it, your target market will be.
Inner cities are limited with the availability of land, so in this case strata division is being created through developments.  Looking up to two hours outside the city allows you to be more creative in your development, plus you can usually create a Torrens subdivision. There may also be more room for growth in the outskirts, especially if there is some infrastructure taking place in that area.
Choosing the right property
<ul>
<li>The first item you need to properly assess a potential subdivision site is a survey. It’s amazing how many sales contracts I review that do not have a survey.  So you may need to pay for this before exchanging as you need to be sure of the land size and whether there are any easements affecting it. </li>
<li>The next item I always ask for is the sewer diagram. You need to know where the sewer is located and if it is actually feasible based on the slope of the land, to cost effectively extend it to service a new lot. </li>
<li>You need to check the slope of the site for drainage issues.</li>
<li>Check the aspect of the site and think ahead of where any new dwellings will sit to take advantage of the aspect.</li>
<li>Research the zoning regulations and read council’s subdivision guidelines.</li>
<li>Compare market value – is vacant land in demand?</li>
<li>Check service connections – is there sewer available in the area, is there an electricity source close by?</li>
<li>Corner blocks are good for your first subdivision </li>
<li>Structure of property – this is important if you are developing a strata division as the building will need to be structurally sound to handle the requirements such as firewalls between units.</li>
<li>Have your solicitor check for restrictive covenants or easements. You may find land in a new estate has a covenant over it that does not allow for further subdivision.</li>
</ul>
 
DA approval 
Getting a surveyor to manage your subdivision DA can save you a lot of time.  If you’re researching a new area, the first place to start would be the local surveyor. They can give you advice on the subdivision process and cost indications. You need to use a surveyor to prepare your subdivision plan.
Once you have abided by the council’s regulations, it is then the residents you may need to win over. Generally if the land you’re subdividing meets zoning requirements and you comply with the subdivision development control plan then there should be little your neighbours can do about your subdivision, however it is always a nice gesture to talk to them personally about your plans.
I always look at the best way to subdivide as part of our development process, the way that will be most cost effective and not hold up the development process, and we have found in many instances it may not be the most obvious way.  What may look like a simple subdivision can turn into months and months of complicated work.  The service connections, plumbing and civil works alone can really blow out a budget, so it’s important to understand the entire process before you embark on your first subdivision.  I’d recommend you start with a simple two-lot subdivision.
There are many more things to consider when planning a land or building subdivision, so make sure you engage professionals to assist you if you’re a beginner.  A development project manager will be able to work with you on every stage of the process and you’ll be amazed at how much you learn along the way and like Danielle, you could find yourself making a nice profit for your efforts.
Jo Chivers is director of <a title="Property Bloom" target="_blank" href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/">Property Bloom</a>, which manages property development.
 
 
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jochivers-wq5Bp59R5a

Subdivision can make you money, but there is a lot of potential for costly mistakes

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Before determining whether to sell your home privately or at auction, you need to consider the specifics of your property, the neighbourhood and what’s happening on the property market. All of these will determine the most appropriate way of selling your home so here’s a list of things to consider when making your decision:
<ul>
<li>
What is the norm in your area? </li>
</ul>
Unless your property is very distinctive or unusual, you’re unlikely to get much interest and enthusiasm from a crowd of potential buyers if auctions just aren’t the done thing in your area. Consider how other properties are sold in your area and how that might work for you. However, in some suburbs, if you don’t hold an auction you may be risking the perception that there is an issue with your home that makes it unsuitable for sale in that way.
<ul>
<li>
Is your property of a kind that is in high demand? </li>
</ul>
If your house has unique or special qualities such as features or location that buyers would be prepared to compete for, auction may be an ideal way of taking advantage. However, if this is not the case, you may struggle to draw a crowd that would give an auction the momentum it needs.
<ul>
<li>
Is the property market in your area booming? </li>
</ul>
When prices are going up and up in your area, buyers are keen to buy even quite ordinary homes because they’re fearful of missing out and having to pay more at another time. This anxiety encourages buyers to bid higher than others in order to secure your property. The thrust and parry of an auction is the perfect setting for this. However, if there is not a great deal of excitement and demand from buyers for properties in your area, an auction may fall flat and you may not get a bid at a price you’re happy with.
<ul>
<li>
How quickly do you need to sell your property? </li>
</ul>
If you need to sell your home in a particular time frame, an auction may be best because even if your property passes in on the day, it will usually sell within the next week or so. If you have more time and want to sell your property in a more relaxed way, a private treaty sale might work as a property can sit on the market for several weeks – you will also have more time to consider offers.
<ul>
<li>
Can you handle the marketing, inspection and sales processes yourself? </li>
</ul>
If you find it a chore and it falls outside your comfort zone, an auction could be the best way to go. Auctions have specific and intense marketing periods running for around four weeks and, if you’re lucky, it then culminates in ten minutes or less of bidding on a specific day and then it’s over.
<img width="100" style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/sellingdummies.jpg">
Karin Derkley is a the former deputy editor of Personal Investor magazine, and continues to write for The Age and AFR Smart Investor. She has also lived through the pleasures and pitfalls of purchasing and renovating her own home. She is the author of <a href="https://au.dummies.com/store/product/Selling-Your-Home-For-Dummies-Australian-Edition.productCd-0730377156" target="_blank">Selling Your Home for Dummies</a>, published by <a href="https://au.wiley.com/WileyCDA/" target="_blank">Wiley</a>. The <a href="https://www.dummies.com/Section/index" target="_blank">Dummies brand</a> is celebrating its 21st anniversary in Australia in March. This is an excerpt from Selling Your Home for Dummies.
 
 
For more advice on auction vs private treaty, download our <a target="_blank" href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/propertyobserver-auction-vs-private-treaty/">free eBook</a>.
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