Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul style="color:#222222; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:small; font-style:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-weight:400; text-align:start; white-space:normal; background-color:#ffffff; text-decoration-thickness:initial; text-decoration-style:initial; text-decoration-color:initial">
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li style="margin-left:15px; font-family:Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:12pt; color:#000000">Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

Joel Robinson

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

First Look: Apartment development pitched for Bellevue Hill, Double Bay fringe

South Brisbane's apartment pipeline continues to build momentum, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/trk-property-group">TRK Property Group</a> lodging plans for a 161-apartment tower on Montague Road as developers accelerate investment across the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

The proposal for 176–186 Montague Road would replace an existing office building with a 20-storey residential tower designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, adding to a growing pipeline of high-density projects reshaping one of Brisbane's fastest-evolving inner-city precincts.

The project has been conceived as a "living building", featuring a flowing tower form, extensive vertical landscaping, and generous communal spaces that respond to the evolving Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct.

TRK Property Group Development Director Matt Kan said the project reflected the confidence developers have in South Brisbane's long-term future.

"South Brisbane is entering an incredibly exciting period, and we see Montague Road sitting right at the heart of that evolution," Kan said.

"With the former Visy site directly opposite us and significant investment planned throughout the broader Kurilpa precinct, there is a real sense of momentum around this part of the city and what it will become over the coming years.

"For TRK, this is an opportunity to be part of that next chapter and deliver a project that responds to where the precinct is heading, while contributing to the continued evolution of Brisbane's river edge."

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="590fe1ad-f892-4446-a679-80e33a16d029" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20tower%20facade.png?VersionId=uOJStrcKpyHFcPE1w6_9SMAFzVMCcZll" />

The scheme includes a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, incorporating multi-purpose rooms in selected residences to provide additional flexibility for home offices or expanded living areas. The proposed mix comprises 15 one-bedroom, 13 one-bedroom plus MPR, 73 two-bedroom, 26 two-bedroom plus MPR, 30 three-bedroom, and four four-bedroom apartments.

Rather than adopting a conventional rectilinear tower, COX Architecture has developed a sculpted form inspired by the movement of the Brisbane River.

"The proposal has been designed by COX Architecture as a 'living building' that responds to the site's riverine setting, floodplain history and evolving urban context within the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct," the planning report states.

"The architectural form draws from the fluid nature of the Brisbane River, with a curved and undulating tower form that creates a varied architectural edge and avoids a conventional rectilinear tower expression."

The podium has also been designed as an architectural feature rather than a conventional parking structure, with cascading planting, screening and natural-toned materials softening its appearance. Resident parking is elevated above ground level to address the site's flood constraints, while habitable apartments sit above flood planning levels. Upper-level communal facilities are designed to accommodate shelter-in-place arrangements during major flood events.

<img alt="First look: TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01fa15d0-90df-46c7-9555-7941fc45373c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/TRK%20podium.png?VersionId=mHyua.w1pHGBt9qEdWzrlsv.leztUCwO" />

Communal amenity is a major focus of the proposal. Around 1,815 sqm of shared resident space is proposed across the ground floor, level 19 and the rooftop, including co-working areas, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, wellness facilities, dining and gathering areas, lawn spaces, a rooftop pool and spa, and extensive landscaping. At street level, a landscaped forecourt and approximately 345 sqm of publicly accessible open space along Montague Road are intended to improve the pedestrian experience while activating the building's frontage.

The development will provide 163 car spaces, including 152 resident bays and 11 visitor spaces, together with 144 bicycle spaces incorporating resident storage, visitor parking, bicycle maintenance facilities and e-mobility charging infrastructure.

The site sits within one of Brisbane's fastest-changing inner-city precincts, less than two kilometres from the CBD and within easy reach of South Bank, West End, the Queensland Cultural Centre and extensive public transport connections. The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning framework is encouraging higher-density residential development to help meet Brisbane's housing supply targets while supporting walkable, transit-oriented neighbourhoods.

TRK Property joins South Brisbane apartment surge with Montague Road tower plans

Article summary

<ul data-end="785" data-start="311">
	<li data-end="459" data-section-id="5hbcyr" data-start="311">Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at Skye Kangaroo Point, headlined by a two-storey sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm.</li>
	<li data-end="561" data-section-id="1p7lq8n" data-start="460">Early buyer interest suggests the residences could set a new Queensland apartment price record.</li>
	<li data-end="667" data-section-id="1y70z0l" data-start="562">The collection includes four move-in ready penthouses and the highly customised Skye One residence.</li>
	<li data-end="785" data-section-id="yvm0y1" data-start="668">The release caps one of Bri​sbane's most ambitious luxury apartment developments overlooking the Brisbane River.</li>
</ul>

<hr data-end="790" data-start="787" />
Pikos Group has released the five-penthouse collection at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/skye-residences-by-pikos-kangaroo-point-8-river-terrace-kangaroo-point-qld-4169">Skye by Pikos</a> development in Kangaroo Point, with early buyer interest indicating the flagship residences could eclipse every apartment sale previously recorded in Queensland.

The collection crowns the luxury riverfront development with five residences, including four completed penthouses and Skye One, a two-level sky home spanning more than 1,000 sqm that will be tailored to its eventual owner.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374075]

Wanting to offer a fully customisable home, Pikos is offering Skye One as a blank canvas, allowing the buyer to work alongside the developer's design team to customise the home's layout, finishes and internal spaces.

The residence will feature a 247 sqm private rooftop terrace with its own swimming pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor kitchen and multiple entertaining areas overlooking the Brisbane River and CBD skyline.

The remaining four penthouses have been completed and are ready for immediate occupation, each offering four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas, soaring ceilings and private lift access.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374059]

One of the defining features throughout the project is its use of Roman Classic Travertine, with more than 20,000 sqm of the natural stone imported from Italy after being personally selected by Pikos Group Founder and Executive Director Pedro Pikos, interior designer Julie Williamson and third-generation stone specialist Mario Caucci.

Pikos said the penthouse collection represented the culmination of the company's long-term vision for Skye.

"True legacy isn't measured by what we build today, but by what endures tomorrow," Pikos said.

"Our ambition is to create places that become more valuable with time, enrich the lives of generations, and stand as timeless landmarks long after we've stepped away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90059 project_image_fid=374060]

Williamson said the interiors were inspired by the natural character of Kangaroo Point and the Brisbane River rather than international design trends.

"Materiality tells the story of a place," Williamson said.

"We looked to the movement of the Brisbane River, the texture of the cliff face and the warmth of the surrounding landscape to create interiors that feel understated, enduring and unmistakably Brisbane."

Positioned above the Kangaroo Point cliffs, Skye places residents within walking distance of Howard Smith Wharves, South Bank and James Street while offering uninterrupted river and city views.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=90059]

Brisbane's next apartment price record? Pikos unveils Skye's exclusive penthouse collection

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?

When buying an apartment, most people compare the big-ticket items first. Floorplans. Kitchens. Balcony size. Natural light. The view.

But there's one everyday consideration that often doesn't come up until after moving in: how parcels are delivered.

As online shopping has become part of everyday life, parcel deliveries have shifted from an occasional event to a regular occurrence. Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally.

For apartment residents, that can present a challenge.

If nobody is home to accept a delivery, parcels may be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in a building lobby or common area, or require building management to step in. In higher-density buildings, where dozens or even hundreds of residents may receive deliveries each day, parcel management has become an increasingly important part of everyday living.

That can create a range of frustrations. A missed delivery often means making time to collect a parcel elsewhere, while packages left unattended in foyers or mail areas can create clutter and increase the risk of theft. What seems like a minor inconvenience can quickly become a recurring issue for residents who shop online regularly.

It's one of those details that rarely features in a display suite but can have a noticeable impact once residents move in.

As a result, buyers are beginning to look beyond traditional apartment features and consider how a building supports day-to-day convenience, including whether there are secure options for receiving deliveries.

Australia Post's Parcel Lockers provide one solution.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CkF2oKmlACg?si=C50sDaoUUn2nuLmq" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than having a parcel delivered directly to an apartment, eligible deliveries can be sent to a nominated Parcel Locker. Once the parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN at a time that suits them.

The Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with installations at Post Offices, shopping centres, transport hubs and an increasing number of residential developments. By providing a secure collection point, Parcel Lockers help reduce missed deliveries and avoid parcels being left unattended in common areas.

For developers, parcel infrastructure is becoming another way to improve the resident experience. Rather than relying on concierge staff or leaving parcels in communal spaces, secure collection points help streamline deliveries while preserving the presentation and functionality of shared areas.

For buyers, it's a reminder that the best apartment features aren't always the most obvious.

A generous floorplan or quality finishes might help narrow the shortlist, but the conveniences that simplify everyday life, whether that's EV charging, secure bike storage or reliable parcel delivery, often become the features residents appreciate most once they're living there.

The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Concerns about FHBs misguided as Gen Ys turn to investing: 1300HomeLoan

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The property developer Crown Group launches Sydney by Crown this Saturday, 22 November.   The new $250-million tower will be built <a href="https://sydneybycrown.com.au" target="_blank">at 161 Clarence Street</a> in the Sydney CBD.
There will be same-day launch events in Sydney, Jakarta and Singapore for apartments in the 220-apartment tower overseen by Crown Group director of sales and marketing Adam Sparkes.
Designed by Koichi Takada Architects, the 25-storey building will feature heritage-inspired lower levels transitioning to a modern glass-and-steel tower, capped with dozens of steel arches.
These are a reference to the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, forming a striking addition to Sydney’s skyline, Crown Group CEO Iwan Sunito told Property Observer.
Sydney by Crown will also be home to a collection of Crown Suites serviced apartments which draws on Crown Group’s 18 years’ experience.
Crown Group was flooded with enquiries after Sydney by Crown registrations of interest opened earlier this year.
The apartment sizes (approx) are:
Studio 44-55sqm  1 bedroom Plus study 50-59sqm  2 bedroom 64-76sqm  2 bedroom Plus study 82-89sqm  3 bedroom 94-104sqm  Penthouse 120- 130sqm   Founded in Sydney in 1996, Crown Group has completed major developments in Sydney’s locations including Bondi, Bondi Junction, Parramatta, Ashfield, Epping, Homebush, Newington, Pennant Hills and Rhodes.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Steel arches atop Sydney by Crown as Koichi Takada takes inspiration from Sydney icons

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In the aftermath of the Block Glasshouse auctions, theories about why some contestants made as little as $10,000 profit were abundant.
Just one season before, in <a href="/news">Albert Park's</a> Fans v Faves, all four teams received profits in excess of $500,000.
Most pointed to a particularly shallow buyer pool, thanks to what Property Observer called a <a href="/expert-insights/buying/not-enough-bidding-baby-boomer-buyers-to-boost-b-grade-location-in-the-block-glasshouse-2014-auction-results">"B-grade" location</a>, with little appeal to the cashed-up boomers that usually buy Block properties.
"For Sydneysiders it would be like flogging prestige apartments on Parramatta Road, Annandale, which has very nice houses away from its busy thoroughfare, though without the trams," wrote editor at large Jonathan Chancellor.
According to Michael Townsend, director of Hodges Real Estate St Kilda, an apartment's location on a main road may rule out certain buyers.
"I suppose when we look at apartments, there is definitely certain concessions placed on main road property locations," said Townsend.
"Definitely those on major thoroughfares, with noise and pollution."
<a href="/news">Prahran</a>'s High Street, where The Block Glasshouse apartments are located, has four lanes of traffic, with trams. Down the street is a hybrid car wash-burger diner; across the roads sits a Swinburne University campus.
While a main road location doesn't necessarily cut out buyers, Townsend explained, it will appeal to certain markets more than others.
"When we look at the apartment market as a whole, there are obviously price points and sub price points within that market place," said Townsend.
"There are buyers who definitely graduate towards main hubs and busy areas with cafe cultures and bars and restaurant areas," he said, with younger buyers and investors perhaps more interested in living among Prahran's busier strips.
But for buyers who are willing to spend the prices seen on Fans v Faves (as much as $2.47 million), a main street might not cut it.
"If someone's spending within $2 million on an apartment, they usually have very strict criteria," said Townsend.
"Avoid main roads if you can, avoid busy streets, avoid places with no outdoor space."
Upgraders with $2 million to spend are likely to have lived in areas with considerable room and amenity, Townsend said.
"Premium buyers – owner occupiers – are often coming out of a substantial home on a leafy backstreet," he explained.
"The might ask: 'Why would I sell out of leafy Hawthorn or Brighton or St kilda property? Why would i want to move out to a busy thoroughfare?'"
Those buyers, Townsend said, are more likely to move to a character home in suburbs like Albert Park, rather than an apartment complex in Prahran.
It seems there are certainly those who would pay to live amid the noise and activity of a main road – just not quite enough to make up for the money and time poured into The Block Glasshouse's renovated apartments.
You might also want to read:
<a href="/expert-insights/building/renovation-rumble-showdown-with-the-block-contestants-v-house-rules-contestants">Renovation rumble showdown with The Block contestants v House Rules contestants?</a>
<a href="/expert-insights/building/former-block-contestants-craft-new-careers-in-renovation">Former Block contestants craft new careers in renovation</a>
 
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Do apartments on main roads sell? Lessons from The Block

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The conversation around a potential Docklands oversupply has been going for some years.
Adjacent to Melbourne's CBD, Docklands is conveniently located and Places Victoria has big plans for the suburb.
With construction starting in 1997, and a 25 year time frame, we're right in the latter half of the development process. Teething problems have, almost inevitably, been highly scrutinised.
Last year, we reported that <a href="/news/vic/docklands-finding-its-feet-after-a-difficult-conception">Docklands was beginning to find its feet after a difficult conception</a>. However, there were <a href="/news/water-usage-reveals-high-vacancy-rates-in-southbank-and-docklands">still reports in late-2013 that water usage was revealing high vacancy rates</a> in the area of around 11%.
The 2014 <a href="/news/vic/over-64-000-melbourne-properties-sit-vacant-prosper-australia">Prosper Australia report found that this had not improved this year</a>. In fact, in terms of water usage, Docklands has potentially the highest number of vacant properties in Melbourne.
With a median unit price of $600,000 currently, Docklands offers a gross rental yield of 4.51% with a median weekly advertised rent of $520, according to RP Data. They note the average hold period for a Docklands apartment is seven years, and while a -1.64% dip has been seen in the median price over the past three months, the 12 month growth is at 6.57% with annual average growth of 2.38%.
Glenn Lucas, managing director of Lucas Real Estate, is a resident in Docklands. He began selling real estate in the area in 2000 before establishing Lucas Real Estate in 2004. It is now the largest independent agent in the area and this year secured the Real Estate Institute of Victoria's Residential Property Manager of the Year title.
He doesn’t believe that the vacancy rate is a huge issue.
SQM Research records the vacancy rate at 4.4% at present, down from  a 2013 peak above 9%, with regular swings prior to this.
His agency’s vacancy rate sits at around 2%, and he’s quick to note that changing vacancy rates, or cyclical results, are a normal transitional part of any new market.
“Real estate goes through cycles and when a developer puts a tower to the market it’s when the market is at its highest. Then it takes a couple of years to build the tower. It takes time for the buyers to settle,” explains Lucas.
“There’s a good demand for [existing] properties, rentals are not dropping at all,” he says.
Renters come in many forms in Docklands. He points to the professional couples and singles that like the convenience of apartment living in the area, but also says a number of downsizers are also active in the area. Some students in budget apartments also make up a portion of the market.
“There is a market for one bedroom rentals, but it’s the two bedrooms that have done very well,” he says. These rent for between $450 and $650 per week.
While success in the short term may not have occurred for everyone, Lucas has seen some of the first Dockland properties that sold off the plan for $450,000 now achieving $650,000.
He shared four of their recent sales highlights:
<ul>
<li>1401/20 Rakaia Way, Docklands VIC 3008 - $915,000</li>
<li>2504/90 Lorimer Street, Docklands VIC 3008 - $1,310,000</li>
<li>1902/5 Caravel Lane, Docklands VIC 3008 - $900,000</li>
<li>2301/1 Point Park Crescent, Docklands VIC 3008 - $1,160,000</li>
</ul>
Property Observer looked through the latest RP Data to see what sales we could find.
When looking at the sales record from September 1 to today, with 72 sales, it appears gains and losses are in a strong mix. Those who held the property since 2002 or prior, particularly those with larger apartments, seem to have done well with strong gains.
However, those purchasing for the short term – as well as a pain period in 2003 where it seems a number of investors overspent – have realised losses upon selling in the past two and a half months.
Refining the search to those in even more recent days, from 1 November to today, we found the following sales:
<ul>
<li>Two bedroom, one bathroom apartment sold for $467,000 in 2008 and was listed as non-disclosed on the recent sale. It was advertised at $405,000 to $435,000.</li>
<li>Two bedroom, two bathroom apartment was bought for $677,500 in 2001 and listed non-disclosed on sale. It was advertised at $759,000 plus.</li>
<li>Two bedroom, one bathroom apartment bought in 2003 for $532,600 (after 2002 construction), it then sold in 2007 for $495,000, before selling again this month for $550,000.</li>
<li>Two bedroom, one bathroom apartment sold in 2002 for $430,000 before being purchasing in 2011 for $505,000. It sold again for $505,000 less than two weeks ago.</li>
<li>One bedroom, one bathroom apartment was listed as non-disclosed for sale price on 10 November. It transacted for $438,000 in 2002, and was asking for "offers over $420,000" this time round.</li>
<li>Two bedroom, two bathroom apartment sold at the beginning of the month for $450,000. No previous sales information available, but seems it was asking $499,000 to $539,000, before lowering the expectations to $455,000 in January 2013.</li>
<li>One bedroom, one bathroom apartment sold for $456,000 this month after selling in June for $310,000, prior to this it was bought for $301,000 in 1999.</li>
<li>Three bedroom, two bathroom apartment sold for $1,310,000 on the 14th, previously selling for $1,100,000 in 2011. Prior to this it sold for $1 million in 2008 and $1,370,000 in 2005.</li>
<li>Three bedroom, three bathroom apartment sold for $765,000 on the 11th. It was bought for $715,000 in 2013 and $683,000 in 2001.</li>
<li>Two bedroom, two bathroom apartment sold for $730,000 on 11th. It last sold for $1,025,000 in 2010.</li>
<li>One bedroom, one bathroom apartment sold for $335,000. It was purchased in February 2008 for $375,000 and March 2007 for $350,000.</li>
<li>One bedroom, one bathroom apartment sold for $380,000 on 12th. It was previously bought for $400,000 in 2009.</li>
</ul>
Looking at the list a little closer, it shows that there were three clear losses, four clear gains, three “possible” losses, one “possible” gain and one that recorded no change (though likely a loss for the investor in terms of transaction costs).
What is particularly interesting is the losses seen by those who sold to our most recent vendors in the list; even when gains are seen now there has been pain in the past. Perhaps it suggests an emerging recovery.
“Like any investment, we recommend [holding] for the medium to long term,” Lucas urges of those considering a Docklands investment.
It seems he is on the money.
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Docklands: Are gains to be had amid "oversupply" speculation?

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First Paddington was sold, now the chic Palm Beach retreat is for sale.
The Paddo to Palmy stylist blogger Heidi Carter and her husband, Westpac's Michael Correa, are seeking $3.5 million for the Pacific Road property through LJ Hooker Palm Beach agent Peter Robinson.
<a href="https://www.20pacificroad.com/home" target="_blank">It is a five-bedroom house</a>, known as Palm Beach Tower that is rented out at $1000 a night through the <a href="https://www.contemporaryhotels.com.au/palmbeach-northernbeaches/palm-beach-tower" target="_blank">Contemporary Hotels group</a>.
It last sold in 2010 for $2.58 million.
<a href="https://paddotopalmy.com.au" target="_blank">The Paddo To Palmy website</a> is a Moroccan homewares shop and a travel and interiors blog.
No words yet on the couple's next home.
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Paddo to Palmy exit by blogging stylist Heidi Carter

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Melbourne property developer Tim Gurner has sold 607 of the 651 apartments offered in the past 12 weeks at his Brisbane project, the $600 million FV project in Fortitude Valley.
Stage one, the Flatiron building, quickly sold so the second stage, Valley House, offering was brought forward.
“We have now sold in twelve weeks what we expected to achieve in 12 months,” Mr Gurner told The Australian Financial Review.
“We had two consecutive weeks where the team sold over 180 ­apartments per week, and many weeks where we have done between 50 to 100 deals.”
Owner-occupiers make up about 25%  of buyers in the Elenberg Fraser-designed GURNER project. About 12% have been sold offshore.
First home buyers have snapped up $360,000 plus apartments and downsizers have paid up to $1.8 million for penthouses.
The penthouses had sold for about $15,000 per square metre.
Stage three will be released early next year, around the time construction begins.
Featuring 810 one, two and three bedroom apartments, a 90 room 4.5 star hotel, 3,000 square metre residents-only private club and a ground floor retail precinct, the $600 million project is <a href="https://www.gurner.com.au" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">GURNER’s first Brisbane development</a>.
<a href="https://www.gurner.com.au" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/10/2/GURN8201_FV_V03_Ext_Tower%201%20From%20Barry%20Parade.jpg" alt=""></a>
Images supplied.
The initial 185 one bedroom Flatiron apartments, from 50 square metres to 65 square metres, prices from $360,000 to $520,000.
For one of the 165 two-bedroom apartments, from 68 square metres to 81 square metres, you will be paying $575,000 to $780,000.
Lastly, four penthouse sized apartments from 125 square metres to 170 square metres are available from $1.45 million to $1.95 million.
The $2 million display suite is located at 147 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley.
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Fortitude Valley's Flatiron, Brisbane strong off the plan sales

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Credit Union Australia (CUA), the country's largest customer-owned financial institution, has appointed banker Rob Goudswaard as its chief executive officer from February 2015.
He will take over from Chris Whitehead who has led CUA since 2009.
He has worked in various senior executive positions at the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group including work overseas as ANZ's head for the Solomon Islands and in Oman for ANZ Grindlays Bank.
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CUA appoints Rob Goudswaard as chief executive

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Altitude One40 at Mission Beach on the Great Barrier Reef has been listed for sale through Unique Estates.
The Hunter family holiday let's prized guest was back in 2008 when the singer actor Grace Jones ended up extending her stay from three days to around three weeks.
There is a helipad at the <a href="https://altitude140.com.au/" target="_blank">hilltop home</a> on four hectares of mostly rainforest.
The house won HIA awards in 2007 after its construction.
Altitude One40 is located at Narragon Beach, just north of Mission Beach.
There are views of the Barnard group of islands south to Hinchinbrook Island.
 
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Altitude ONE40, the Grace Jones Mission Beach rental hideaway, listed

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I was lucky to recently spend an amazing weekend riding horses in the NSW Snowy Mountains National Park.
It was one of those bucket list trips and I went with an old school friend. We'd gone to pony club together and grown up as horse crazy girls. We'd spend most of our teenage years riding and looking after our horses (which kept us out of trouble!).
Whilst sitting around the camp fire at night with a group of other women and staff we'd just met, I was discussing property investing with one of the ladies – can't help myself!
She was a pretty amazing single lady with her sights set on the future. She'd been clever enough to buy a few investment properties in-between serving our country in the army.  We were discussing her recent purchase of an off the plan apartment.
She shared with me the numbers on her deal and I was a bit surprised. I have good experience with buying off the plan but it was over ten years ago now that I used this strategy. Back then, the property developer offered a good discount to purchasers and this helped create some equity. If the market was also moving upwards, then a nice chunk of money could be made by settlement time. I would settle an apartment then draw out the equity to use as a deposit to settle the next one.
But things have changed. There seems to be more risk as there isn't the same discounts being applied. So you buy in at today's market price. If, of course, it's a hot market, as Sydney is at the moment, that price could end up more than what the apartment may be worth in a year or two once completed.
I explained what I did to the lady. Property Bloom manages small developments for our clients. A dual occupancy development can create a big chunk of money within twelve months and you end up with two properties.  I explained that the big difference between buying off the plan and developing yourself, is that you are creating the equity through the development process, not hoping for capital growth whilst your apartment is being constructed.
Would you rather control of the equity creation by cutting some keen deals on the land and construction or rely on a stranger to build your investment and hope for the market to rise?
I did the latter six times and was lucky four out of the six times. The other two deals were borderline. If I had my time again, I would not have completed on the two ordinary investments.  But as they say, time heals all wounds and because I held onto these investments (in lieu of selling at a loss) they've turned out well.
My big lesson from buying off the plan?  It is far more lucrative to be the developer than the investor.
<a href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au">www.propertybloom.com.au</a>
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Chewing the fat on off the plan investments

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There are 1,187 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 1,172 for the same time last year.
The most auctions are expected in <a href="/news">Reservoir</a> with 24 expected followed by 23 in both <a href="/news">Bentleigh East</a> and <a href="/news">Glen Waverley</a>.
The clearance rate over the past few weeks has provided further confirmation that the market is healthy but not booming.
This is also obvious when the home values are both corrected for inflation and then compared to the previous peaks. At the end of September house values in Melbourne were 3% below their peak in real terms and units 5.4% lower. In many parts of Melbourne buyers have better purchasing power than they did in 2010.
Clearance rates may have dropped but the private sale market continues to tighten.
On a citywide basis, the time on market results for houses sold at private sale was stable at a very low 31 days over the last week and vendor discounting dropped to -4.7%.
Key data:
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 16 November: 68.9%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 23 November: 1,187</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 16 November: 31 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 16 November: -4.7% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 4.3% higher in month ending 16 November (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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The apartment feature many buyers don't think about, until their first missed delivery

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