High-profile apartment defect cases have changed the way many NSW buyers approach purchasing, putting greater scrutiny on building quality, strata records and the parties behind a development before a contract is signed.

The industry buyers are assessing today, however, is also different from the one in which cases such as Opal Tower and Mascot Towers emerged.

NSW has introduced a series of regulatory measures aimed at strengthening oversight of apartment construction, including Building Commission NSW, the Residential Apartment Buildings Act 2020 and the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme. Under the latter, developers are required to lodge a bond, with independent inspections forming part of the process for identifying defects in new strata developments.

Those changes provide another layer of protection, but they haven't removed the importance of buyer due diligence.

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For purchasers considering an apartment, that means looking beyond the residence itself. Building and strata history, strata reports, the track record of the builder and developer, the condition of common property and any known or planned expenditure by the owners corporation can all form part of assessing a building before purchase.

Whether the development is already complete can also materially change what can be assessed.

An off-the-plan purchaser is necessarily buying before the finished product exists. A completed apartment, by comparison, can be walked through before contracts are signed, allowing the purchaser to see the finishes, common areas and broader building as they have actually been delivered rather than relying solely on plans and renders.

It also removes exposure to some of the uncertainties that exist between an off-the-plan purchase and completion, including construction delays, cost pressures and builder insolvency during the delivery period.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a> National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said that greater focus on tangible evidence is increasingly evident among apartment purchasers.

“The biggest shift we're seeing is buyers wanting proof, not promises,” Hamblett said.

“That's exactly why we deal in completed stock - you can inspect the building before you commit - and why we've backed every purchase with a cash bond against special levies.”

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> in Parramatta, that emphasis on a completed, inspectable product is already in place.

The 413-apartment, 46-level tower at 12 Phillip Street is being marketed by Projects by Equitifund, allowing prospective purchasers to inspect the residences, common areas and resident facilities before committing.

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The Lennox also introduces another layer to the due-diligence conversation through Strata Surety.

The vendor-funded arrangement provides purchasers with a cash-backed bond held in their own solicitor's trust account from settlement. According to Equitifund, the bond covers any special levy raised during the applicable cover period and is provided at no cost to the purchaser.

Special levies can create an unexpected cost for apartment owners where an owners corporation needs funding beyond its existing strata contributions. Under NSW strata law, a special levy requires approval by owners at a general meeting.

Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said Strata Surety was designed to provide something more concrete than reassurance about that potential exposure.

“Buyers have every right to ask hard questions about strata risk - the industry has given them plenty of reasons to,” Huxley said.

“Our answer isn't a reassurance, it's a bond. Strata Surety puts real money behind that confidence, held by the buyer's own solicitor, not by us.”

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For The Lennox, its completed status also means purchasers can assess not only the apartment itself, but a building that has already been occupied and operating for several years.

Completed in 2021, the $300 million development, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, with open-plan living areas extending to private balconies. Interiors incorporate engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops and integrated appliances, while many upper-level residences have views across the river and surrounding district.

Its established amenity can similarly be inspected in operation. Resident facilities include the Watermark precinct with a 20-metre pool, outdoor terrace, barbecue areas, gym, fitness studio and conference room, while ground-floor retail addresses the river walk and surrounding public space.

The Lennox is also home to the Southern Hemisphere's first fully robotic residential car park, which has now operated for several years. Its nine-level basement combines three conventional parking levels with six automated levels, accommodating 327 vehicles using technology from German firm Lödige Industries.

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The riverfront address puts The Lennox close to much of central <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a>'s existing infrastructure, including Parramatta Station, Westfield Parramatta, Parramatta Park, and the Church Street dining precinct.

The remaining apartments form part of a limited release secured by Equitifund, following the sale of the majority of residences before and shortly after completion.

The regulatory environment around NSW apartment construction has changed considerably since the defect cases that reshaped public discussion around the sector. For purchasers, however, regulation is only one part of the equation. The ability to investigate a building's history, review its strata position and, where possible, inspect what has actually been delivered remains central to making an informed apartment purchase.

At The Lennox, its completed status provides that opportunity before contracts are signed, while Strata Surety adds a financial backstop against special levies beyond the protections already provided under NSW strata law.

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Joel Robinson

Buying with confidence: What NSW apartment buyers should check beyond the defect headlines

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

How Sterling Global designed 623 Collins from Melbourne's history

Avant Townhomes is adding to Ivanhoe’s family-sized housing options with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/three-82-ivanhoe-382-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Three 82</a>, a collection of just 16 four-bedroom townhomes on Upper Heidelberg Road.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/intrapac-property">Intrapac Property</a> townhome division has taken a contemporary approach to the traditional family home, pairing larger floorplans with the lower-maintenance format of a townhouse.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/arcadia-studio">Arcadia</a>, with landscaping by Landsite, the homes feature generous open-plan living and dining areas that connect directly to outdoor spaces, with layouts also designed to maximise natural light and privacy.

Natural stone is used throughout the interiors, including in kitchens that pair stone surfaces with bespoke cabinetry, considered storage and SMEG appliances.

The four-bedroom layouts include built-in wardrobes and a main bedroom with its own ensuite, while family bathrooms service the additional bedrooms. Each home also includes a lock-up double garage and intercom entry.

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Energy efficiency has been incorporated into the design through solar panels, double glazing and reverse-cycle heating and cooling, with the homes targeting 7-star energy ratings.

Rather than incorporating extensive communal facilities, Three 82 has been conceived around private residential amenity, with the 16-home scale keeping the focus on individual homes and their own indoor and outdoor spaces.

The development is located at 382 Upper Heidelberg Road, around one kilometre from Ivanhoe Village's cafés and retail and a short drive from Eaglemont Station and Ivanhoe Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374393]

Several of Ivanhoe's established schools are also nearby, including Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar and Ivanhoe Grammar School. The address also provides access to the suburb's parklands and the wider Yarra River corridor.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/nelson-alexander">Nelson Alexander</a> has been appointed to handle sales.

Construction is underway and progressing well, with Three 82 currently tracking toward completion in Q2 2027.

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Three 82 brings boutique four-bedroom townhome collection to Ivanhoe

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

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

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

Limited-time stamp duty offer at completed Linacre Rise apartments in Hampton

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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Forecasts are down for the engineering construction sector but economists are crystal-ball-gazing to see where the sector will end up.
The residential construction sector has been picked to carry the ball but its recovery has not been a swift starter. Expectations that residential will rise in the next six-12 months are not meeting actual figures.
A rise in commercial construction has also been flagged but is not expected for 18 months at least.
A BIS Shrapnel report released today states the engineering construction sector, responsible for transport, mining and other heavy industry projects, was set for a 7.6% decline this financial year. The figure is a jump on a March forecast of a 5.4% slump, The Australian reports.
The report states engineering construction peaked in 2012-13 and is expected to plummet 19% over the four years to 2016-17.
A Master Builder’s Association survey on confidence in September has shown a drop in sales, work on the books, and expected activity exceeding actual activity.
MBA chief economist Peter Jones said the construction industries were still gleaning the depth and rate of the drop in engineering construction. He said the MBA’s forecasts predicted a 9.9% drop this year and a 20% drop over three years.
He said all that was needed was a psychological change among business-holders from cost-cutting to growth, “it’s like animal spirits”.
“The key to the outlook is improving confidence,” he said. “We need to have a switch from cost-cutting mode to growth mode.”
The MBA’s September survey of business confidence, released this week stated: “Business conditions fell in the September quarter, and the best that can be said is that the index appears to be finding a floor.”
Housing Industry Association chief economist Harley Dale said the BIS Shrapel forecasts were “reasonable”.
“Residential construction is not looking like filling the void as much as we’d like it to do. It’s a recovery that is taking time to gather breadth.”
He said there was some growth overall, but if NSW and WA figures were excluded here was an insignificant 1% recovery elsewhere.

<hr>
This article first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au">SmartCompany</a>.
 
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Construction recovery guided by 'animal spirits'

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Moving into retirement villages is said to be becoming easier due to a NSW government change to the Retirement Villages Amendment (standard contract) Regulation 2013 this month, and will be alike to buying and selling a home.
Owen Hodge Lawyers' Elder Law specialist, James Kelly, said that the legislative changes are welcome for consumers.
"The changes will make the transaction of moving into a retirement village more like buying and selling your home," said Kelly.
"The biggest amendments to these current reforms are the introduction of a standard village contract and disclosure document in addition to a general inquiry document.”
In the past, he noted that documentation had been very lengthy - even up to 300 pages with complex legal arrangements.
"I have seen many seniors over the years struggle to understand the complex nature of the subject matter and in some cases sign contacts without understanding what they are signing," he said.
The reformation of the retirement village law is seeing a shift towards a consumer focus. He notes that this was necessary to ensure that the seniors understood the legal ramifications of what they had been signing.
Several questions and tips which should be asked prior to moving into retirement villages include:
1.	Do not make a decision to move to any retirement village before doing your homework/research first to explore the various options that are available to you. Questions to ask - why are you moving? What options are available in the area you are considering?
2.	Can I afford to live at the retirement village? What are the ongoing fees and how are they determined each year?
3.	What is the financial position at the village? Is there a history of deficits or surpluses in the retirement village budget. How much are the departure fees, commission and other expenses when you leave?
4.	Have you spoken to your family and your doctor and other support people about a move possibly from an area where you have lived for a long time to where you are not so familiar?
5.	Have you spoken to your lawyer about the legal issues around such a move before signing the contract? What are your obligations and what obligations does the operator have to you? Does the operator have a mortgage on a property where the village is located and if so what are the implications for you?
6.	Is there a history of disputes between the residents and the operator of the village?
7.	Is ongoing care available ie aged care if and when you need it?
Source: Owen Hodge Lawyers
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Under new law retirement village move to be like transacting a home: Owen Hodge

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It’s two words that are continually circling around the property sphere: negative gearing. We’re yet to hear the Liberal government mouth them and so far there have been no announcement on what it plans on doing.
It’s a friend to property investors but a foe to first home buyers, with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/home-ownership-rates-among-young-dips/2013102265889">Matt Cowgill tweeting</a> that the home ownership rate among 25 to 34 year olds has dipped below half.
According to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/australian-capital-territory/government-policies-favour-wealthy-property-owners/2013102065823">report by the Grattan Institute</a>, negative gearing and the capital gains discount provide residential property investors with nearly $7 billion a year, or $4,500 on average for each property investor.
The report suggests that the current government welfare and tax policies benefit wealthy homeowners, leaving young renters and first home buyers disadvantaged.
Catherine Cashmore has <a target="_blank" href="/news">emphasised</a> that to be against negative gearing as a policy incentive is not a stance against investment into the housing market.
Property Observer has asked property institutions and experts active in the property space to weigh in on the debate.
They were asked: Should negative gearing be change? Why or why not?
 
 
 
 
Shane Oliver – Head of investment strategy and chief economist, <a href="https://www.ampcapital.com.au/?" target="_blank">AMP Capital</a> <img width="125" height="150" src="/images/stories/2013/10/25/shane-oliver-profile.jpg" alt="shane-oliver-profile" style="float: right;">
THE REAL PROBLEM IS LACK OF SUPPLY, NOT NEGATIVE GEARING
It seems every time the Australian residential property market takes off, calls appear for negative gearing on investment property to be restricted or abolished. But is it really the reason Australian housing is so expensive? Yes, it does seem investors have a bit of an advantage over first home buyers and yes, first home buyers seem to be missing in action right now.
But negative gearing is not the real problem. Australia is not alone in providing some form of tax assistance to home owners as most comparable countries do. American’s can even deduct interest on the family home from their taxable income, and yet our house price to income ratios are much higher.
Removing or curtailing negative gearing could even make the situation worse by reducing the supply of rental accommodation at a time when rental yields are hardly attractive for investors and could cause other distortions in the economy because negative gearing would still be available on other investments.
The real problem is a lack of supply. In a well-functioning market when demand goes up, prices rise and this eventually is met with increased supply. This has not been happening in the Australian housing market. We have had a world beating surge in house prices relative to incomes since the mid-1990s and yet building approvals are in the same range they have been in since 1990.
According to the National Housing Supply Council the cumulative supply shortfall since 2001 thanks to gross underbuilding relative to growth in underlying demographic demand for homes is 228,000 dwellings. What we really need to do is reform the supply of housing – release land for development faster, relax (within reason) development controls and develop a long term plan to decentralise away from our major cities.
This would be the best way to help first home buyers and cool speculative interest in housing. Negative gearing is a furphy.
 
Steve Keen – Professor of economics and finance, <a href="https://www.uws.edu.au/?" target="_blank">University of Western Sydney</a> <img width="125" height="150" src="/images/stories/2013/10/25/Steve-keen-profile.jpg" alt="Steve-keen-profile" style="float: right;">
IT NEEDS TO BE GRANDFATHERED OUT OF EXISTENCE
Negative gearing should be grandfathered out of existence: those who've already bought an investment property would continue to be eligible, but it should not be available in future.
The simplest reason is that it has failed in its one supposed policy objective: to enhance the supply of rental properties. What it has instead done is encourage individuals to speculate on the prices of existing properties. It has thus driven up house prices above what they would be if the government wasn't meddling in the property market, while doing precious little to increase the availability of rental properties by stimulating new construction. Borrowing by investors for building construction has fallen from 60% of investor loans to below 10% over the last three decades - a clear sign of a failed policy.
So why is it maintained? Because the policy has created a class of speculators whom neither party has the courage to anger by abolishing a failed and socially damaging policy. The continued existence of negative gearing is a measure of the cowardice of Australia's political elite.
Next page: Terry Ryder and Peter Bushby have their say
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Terry Ryder – Founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">hotspotting.com.au</a> <img width="125" height="150" src="/images/stories/2013/10/25/Terry-Ryder-for-profile.jpg" alt="Terry-Ryder-for-profile" style="float: right;">
THERE’S NO REASON FOR IT TO BE CHANGED
I would say categorically, no and I’m absolutely 100% certain that they won’t be. It’s an issue that just keeps getting brought up but no politician with his head screwed on is going to make that change to negative gearing.
There’s no reason for it to be changed, it’s a system in place for clear reasons, for valid reasons and it works. The one and only time that a government in Australia decided to scrap it precipitated a disaster in the rental market and they had to bring it back very quickly. That happened in the era that Bob Hawke was prime minister and Paul Keating was treasurer.
Particularly in our capital cities, negative gearing is necessary for the viability of people buying investment properties. Without it, there would be a sharp reduction in the number of people who a buying properties in the capital cities because it’s very, very hard in our major cities to buy an investment property that’s positive cash flow. The vast majority are cash flow negative and without the tax benefit, it’s not a viable investment, therefore the pool of rental properties that are needed for those who rent, would dry up very quickly.
I’m not arguing from the viewpoint of vested interest, I don’t buy negatively geared property, I always buy positively geared. From my personal viewpoint, I don’t care whether it exists or not because I’m not affected but I think it would be a disaster for the property market for people who need to rent if it were removed. As it happened previously when Paul Keating removed it briefly before bringing it back.
 
Peter Bushby – President of the <a href="https://www.reia.com.au/?" target="_blank">Real Estate Insitute of Australia</a> (REIA).<img width="125" height="167" src="/images/stories/2013/10/25/bushby-profile.png" alt="bushby-profile" style="float: right;">
NEGATIVE GEARING NEEDS TO BE RETAINED, STAMP DUTY NEEDS TO BE ELIMINATED
We [REIA] strongly agree with the report’s [Grattan Institute Renovating Housing Policy] recommendations to eliminate stamp duties, however it’s essential negative gearing be retained in its current form for the purpose of property investment.
REIA has always supported negative gearing because it helps in the provision of rental accommodation. Negative gearing for property investment is complementary to the goals of the Government’s Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) in addressing the supply of rental accommodation.
To remove it would show that we haven’t learnt anything from history. When negative gearing was abolished in 1985 it had disastrous consequences for the property market and for people trying to rent. Rents rose 37% across Australia and by 57% in Sydney. Thankfully, negative gearing was reinstated in 1987.
It is far too short sighted to link investor interest in housing to negative gearing alone. Negative gearing is only one of a range of factors that contribute to the level of investment in property. Other factors include interest rates, availability and accessibility of finance, share market performance, the unemployment rate, housing supply and consumer confidence.
The myth that negative gearing is a plaything of the wealthy also needs to dispelled. The majority of taxpayers with a negatively geared property earn less than $80,000 a year. With the new government, expectations that industry will be involved in finding workable solutions to these old issues are high.
 
The debate is quite prominent in the twittersphere, with Catherine Cashmore and Oliver raising their concerns.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/CCASHMORE_BUYER">@CCASHMORE_BUYER</a> ..I seem to recall in late 80s NG was curtailed only to be returned after its removal reduced the supply of rental accom
— Shane Oliver (@ShaneOliverAMP) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/ShaneOliverAMP/statuses/392622101128966144">October 22, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
If you would like someone’s opinion added to the list, please email ntrotman@propertyobserver.com.au and we’ll consider getting their viewpoint.
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Should negative gearing be changed? The experts have their say

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The increasing interest from offshore Asian buyers, and largely Chinese buyers, has been attracting a lot of attention. Not only are real estate agencies expanding out to these areas, but Chinese-language news outlets and online portals specialising in property are going from strength to strength.
It's interesting then, that many are restricted by certain types of rules and regulations. Property Observer set out to find specifically what stock these buyers can purchase, and what they're looking for.
Australian Property Monitors' Andrew Wilson points out a few major points that are of interest to Chinese buyers.
Firstly, he says, it's a case of replacing the 'location, location, location' mantra with "good schools, good schools and good schools."
Linked to this, they look for highly established quiet to upper-mid price range neighbourhoods, as well as those with "cultural connections". For Sydneysiders, this may mean a suburb such as <a href="/news">Ashfield</a>.
Value is then the final most important consideration.
The categories of buyer
However, we must be wary when categorising all Chinese investors together. Just as resident buyers do not fall into any one strict category, there are a number of buyer-types here also.
Andrew Taylor, co-CEO of <a href="https://Juwai.com" target="_blank">Juwai.com</a>, a listings portal for Chinese buyers to find international property, helped us categorise the buyers into these three segments.
He explains that they classify offshore Chinese buyers into four distinct categories, based on net worth.
1.    Extremely high net worth: Those seeking prime properties, from $5 to $50 million in value. Usually for immigration or as secondary residence. These buyers are fewer in number, but account for a significant dollar amount of total investment.
A typical investment for this type of buyer, may look like a $6.5 million listing they had of a property on Wategos Beach, Byron Bay.
2.    High net worth: Those seeking luxury properties, from $1.5 to $5 million.
3.    Upper middle class: Those seeking properties from $750,000 to $1.5 million. The greatest number are in the $1.2 to $1.5 million range.
4.    Middle class: Those seeking properties from $250,000 to $750,000. The greatest number of these buyers are in the $500,000 to $650,000 range.
He points to the top reasons for buying, across the categories, being for reasons of education, migration and investment diversification. Often, all three are combined.
This may be a buyer purchasing an investment property and renting it out, until a few years later their children live in it to study in Australia, with the entire family staying when they visit.
"Then, perhaps one day, they immigrate to Australia and retire to the home," says Taylor.
In fact, Chinese buyers can <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/understanding-chinese-property-buyers-and-sellers/2012012653148">also differ in their buying needs and wants due to their ethnicity</a>.
OH Property Group's Oliver Stier pointed to the following points:
- They like full-brick homes (as opposed to brick veneer, weatherboard or fibro – unless they plan to knock it down).
- They like rectangular-shaped land.
- They generally would prefer not to have a swimming pool. Swimming is not a big part of the Chinese upbringing and many Chinese-born children don’t know how to swim. Therefore a swimming pool is seen to be more a danger and a chore than a source of pleasure.
- They like level and clear land with not too many trees (especially protected species such as gum trees, which are not always possible to remove).
- They like low-maintenance properties (e.g. paved backyard as opposed to cottage-style garden).
- They prefer high side of the street and generally dislike properties that have an entrance below street level.
- They have a preference for newer properties and less of an appreciation for older-style features such as an ornate ceiling or picture rails, etc. Therefore, a heritage-listed property usually does not appeal to Chinese buyers.
- Position is important, and many Chinese buyers will not want to purchase properties that are at a T-junction, for example.
- Aspect is also important, and Chinese buyers typically prefer morning sun than afternoon sun.
- Some feng shui-related features are important.
A window into Chinese buyers' thoughts
If you're interested in understanding the Chinese buyer, look no further than the Chinese developers, says Taylor. Particularly those who are developing in Australia, as often this is to attract Chinese investors.
“I had dinner with two small Chinese developers this week, both with projects worth around $65 million. They just purchased several blocks of land on the coast in Queensland and New South Wales. Their requirements are that the land be close to schools or close to good hospitals. Their target market is investors, especially Chinese investors, who will rent out to locals," he says.
In December, he wrote  for Property Observer <a target="_blank" href="/news">four tips for those looking to sell their property to Chinese buyers</a>.
We've also recently written about <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/marketing-your-property-to-chinese-buyers/2013092465226">marketing your property to Chinese buyers</a>.
Which cities are seeing interest?
Measuring activity on Juwai.com, comparing January and August 2013 (including page views, searches, search results and enquiries) the following trends emerge.
China’s Top Aussie Cities 1. Sydney 2. Brisbane 3. Melbourne 4. Gold Coast 5. Adelaide  
China’s Fasting Growing Aussie Cities 1. Melbourne 2. Perth 3. Mandurah, WA 4. Launceston, Tasmania 5. Canberra 6. Adelaide  
Source: Juwai.com
This week, Century 21 Australia and New Zealand chairman, Charles Tarbey, mentioned to Property Observer that <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/lack-of-stock-behind-price-rises-exclusive-interview-with-charles-tarbey/2013102365923" target="_blank">Adelaide has been starting to market developments to Chinese buyers </a>more heavily.
Next page: Chinese Australian buyers and the changing wants of buyers
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Chinese Australian buyers
Sophie Jiang, from The Vision China Times, told Property Observer that it is definitely hard to generalise about what Chinese buyers want in a property. Budget, purpose, personal background and situation are, of course, game changers for every investor.
However, some constants are definitely clear from what the experts are saying.
Jiang notes that she has spoken to a number of different development groups, such as AVJennings, Fraser Property, Payce and Legacy group, and that this has created a fairly clear picture in her mind as to what is being marketed and snapped up.
However, it's not just non-resident Chinese buyers that are purchasing. Chinese Australian buyers, obviously, are looking for a certain type of stock.
"For owner occupiers especially those with young kids, quality schools are always on the top of their criterion list in selecting location, followed by the access to public transportation, amenities, neighbourhood," Jiang lists.
"Many Chinese Australian buyers are family oriented so they like to live close to each other and  still be able to enjoy the same lifestyle as in China. That is the reason why those suburbs with large Chinese population have been enjoying high demand," she explains.
When looking at the specific property, Chinese buyers steer towards double brick with large land content, due to opinions that this creates solid capital growth.
"Good position and floor plan in compliance with Feng Shui are also very important," she says.
A Feng Shui inappropriate floorplan may include features such as the front door looking on to another door, doors being in too close proximity (known as "arguing doors"), too many windows and doors in a row, and bedrooms that are situated over specific rooms that are not deemed peaceful (e.g. over a garage).
New apartments and townhouses, due to their low maintenance appeal, are also being favoured by Chinese buyers. While, for solely investment buyers, new and off-the-plan in the inner city are more important.
"Popular features are location (proximity to transport, university, shopping, CBD, beach), architectural design, finishes and amenities," Jiang concludes.
Taylor agrees with this, also listing the following themes:
- Water views and frontage
- New or recently renovated construction
- Proximity to educational institutions
- Proximity to Chinese Australian communities
- Easy access to amenities, shopping and transport The changing wants of buyers
While all of these factors may sound fairly prescriptive, the sands are regularly shifting around buyers' profiles and their wants.
“In Australia, I’m constantly surprised when I hear from agents. There’s always a new suburb where vendors are benefitting from having these investors show interest in their property. Whether it’s in the Northern Beaches of Sydney, semi-rural Dural, or an outer suburb of Adelaide, Chinese buyers are turning up in places they seldom did before," Taylor says.
“I don’t think Australia has ever seen a group of foreign investors as numerous as the Chinese. As they learn more about Australia and come to love it, they are exploring new communities and property types. That’s why you see Chinese buyers in more suburbs now than you did just a year ago."
Similarly, observer Terry Ryder notes that they are not always achieving what they want from property. This will, likely, change.
"I think Chinese buyers [want] something they are not getting: they want good investment properties at market prices. At the moment they are sold bad investments at inflated prices," Ryder explains.
"They are being targeted by Australian developers with properties they can't sell in the local market because of oversupply, particularly the inner-city areas of Melbourne and the Gold Coast."
He says that he was speaking at a seminar in Melbourne, and was approached by a man in the audience who had flown from Shanghai to hear the talk, telling Ryder later that his family and friends had been ripped off by developers and marketers in the past, buying the wrong stock.
Commercial property is also emerging as being of interest to this buying group. Read Property Observer on Monday for some more information.
In the meantime, you can read observer Pete Wargent's thoughts on the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/trends/the-chinese-buyer-phenomenon-pete-wargent/2013101565710">reasons behind the Chinese buyer 'phenomenon'</a>.
 
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What do Chinese buyers want?

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Undertake an analysis of the features and extras you are currently using, or not using, with your current mortgage. Also ensure you go through your paperwork and clearly understand all the costs and fees associated. Consider the amount of equity you may also have available by comparing the current value of your property against the current amount owing on your mortgage.
TIP: You can pay for a valuation report, but for a quick gauge on how much your property may be worth, have a look at recent comparable sales in the area.
<hr>
This article is from Property Observer's free ebook <a target="_parent" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-mastering-the-art-of-refinancing-12-tips-for-success-and-key-things-to-consider">Mastering the Art of Refinancing: 12 tips for success and key things to consider</a>.
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Examine the state of your current loan

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One of the most unpopular topics in personal finance is the insurance known as ‘life products’.
I suppose they’re unpopular because of what they insure against: death, permanent disability and injury. No one wants to dwell on injury or death.
However, look at it this way: life products are financial protection for your greatest asset.
Ask about someone’s greatest asset and they’ll say their house, their share portfolio, their superannuation. But for most people, their greatest asset is actually their ability to generate income. And income is usually closely tied to wellbeing.
So life products hedge against the risk that you’ll lose the wellbeing to generate income.
Life products include:
<ul>
<li>
life insurance (a lump sum paid to your estate if you die);
</li>
<li>
income continuance insurance (up to 75% of your income paid if injury or illness keeps you out of work for an extended period of time);
</li>
<li>
total and permanent disability (aka TPD), which pays a lump sum if you can no longer work due to disablement);
</li>
<li>
critical illness insurance, (aka ‘trauma’) which pays a lump sum if you’re unable to work. The diseases covered will vary according to the insurer, but all policies cover for what they call ‘seven core diseases’: cancer, stroke, multiple sclerosis, kidney failure, major organ transplant, coronary artery bypass and heart attack.
</li>
</ul>
There are three main categories of people who should at least look at these insurances: breadwinners with kids and a mortgage; tradies; and business owners.
Once you think about these insurances as financial risk rather than medical emergency, it becomes apparent why people take them out. If you can’t work, who will generate the income for your family? If you die – leaving a mortgage and kids –what does your spouse do about the loan and all the other debts and obligations?
A lot of tradies think they can rely on workers comp, and other workers claim to be covered by private health insurance. Many Australians think their employer will look after them and others assume there’s a benefit at Centrelink.
I suggest anyone relying on this sort of barbecue chatter seek out real information about the financial consequences of death, illness and injury. And remember you need to replace the income you’re accustomed to – a large mortgage can’t be paid on a disability pension and workers comp is very tightly defined.
I suggest you investigate your options, using experts when you need them.
Premiums, for the same product, are never the same. Policies contain different inclusions and exclusions. Superannuation fund members can get cheaper life products by buying them from their fund, but what are the inclusions and exclusions? How do they compare?
There are other ways to buy life products: industry associations build good products for their members, insurance brokers are a popular way for business owners to get the cover they need without paying too much, and some Australians get their life products through a financial adviser as part of their planning.
If you’re still confused, ask yourself this: If I insure my car for $20,000, what’s my income worth?
Good luck.
 
<hr>
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ybr.com.au/">Yellow Brick Road</a>, a financial services company offering home loans, financial planning, accounting and tax, and insurance.
You can contact Mark on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/markbouris" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
 
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Life insurance is an important hedge against a loss of income: Mark Bouris

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The very first thing I do after finding what I think is a good development site is ask for the sales contract to be emailed to me. It’s the starting point for my due diligence and research. At this stage I may not have even physically seen the land.
I thought I’d share the five most important things I look at as soon as I get my hands on that sales contract.  As developers, there are so many checks that we need to do, but to keep it simple, here’s what I recon needs to be done first...
I’ve opened the sales contract and start to scan through it.  I’m no solicitor that’s for sure, so it’s very important you have a solicitor ready to review the contract after you’ve had the first look.   There is really no point sending a contract to your solicitor and starting to incur legal fees until after you’ve reviewed it and then had an offer accepted.  However, if you are not confident or familiar with sales contracts, then definitely let your solicitor know what your development plans are and ask them to review it in this light.
Front page
A quick look at the front page of the contract confirms exactly what is for sale - this may sound strange – surely what is being advertised is what you’d be buying but this is not always the case. I’ve been offered land that the agent is advertising as two titles but on the contract only one lot is listed. This may mean the land has a subdivision approval however it is not yet registered so there could be costly work still required to complete the process.  Perhaps the agent was told there were two titles by the vendor. Or, I’ve been offered two lots of land that have to be sold under the one contract.  In this case it was because council would not allow a separate access to one of the lots – it’s a long story so I won’t go into it now.
Sometimes the sales agent had been told one thing by the vendor but the reality is different. It’s our job to sift through and check what’s on offer.
Deposited plan and/or survey
From the front page I usually skip straight to the deposited plan (DP) or if I’m lucky there may be a survey in the contract. In about 99% of the cases, there is no survey which is my number one bug bearer. If you are selling land people, please include a survey in the contract!  It will assist purchasers to quickly evaluate the land. 
A survey reveals the width of the frontage, the depth of the block, what structures and trees/foliage are on it and that may need clearing (a cost to include in your budget). A survey will also identify any easements affecting the land.  If you are very lucky, there may even be a contour survey. In new land developments, I can usually get hold of a contour plan. This shows me the fall on the land. The amount of fall will give me an indication of how much site works and retaining the development may require.
Planning Certificate
Next, I look for the section 149 planning certificate as it’s referred to in NSW. The first thing I check is the date it is issued, it’s extremely important that it has been recently issued by council. An old 149 is not worth the paper it’s printed on as council requirements/zonings can change.
I just checked two certificates, one was issued the a year earlier and the second more recently. In the first certificate the land was in a bushfire zone, in the second certificate it wasn’t.  This zoning had obviously changed over time. I then check things like the land zoning – most important if you want to carry out medium density development but the land is zoned low density then the site is not suitable for you. 
For our granny flat developments, we make sure that complying development may be carried out (so we can have our approval received within ten days), I check if the land is in a proclaimed mine subsidence district (this is important as there are many under mined areas in the Hunter Region of NSW however, it still may not rule out a development site for us as you can build on undermined land but further checks on building requirements are made with the Mine Subsistence Board), I check if the land is flood effected (we don’t usually touch floor effected land as it’s too expensive to build to the requirements), bushfire prone (this is ok but does add  a little to the build costs) and any restrictions that may impact on my development plans.
Section 88B instrument
I check to see if there is a Section 88B Instrument in the contract. This is usually only included in newly created subdivisions or land releases.  A section 88B instrument is part of a deposited plan which upon registration:
<ul>
<li>
Creates easements, profit à prendre, restrictions on use of land, and positive covenants. [cl.35 Conveyancing (General) Regulation 2008]
</li>
<li>
Releases easements and profits à prendre. [cl.36 Conveyancing (General) Regulation 2008]
</li>
</ul>
For more information go to the website for the <a target="_blank" href="https://rgdirections.lpi.nsw.gov.au/deposited_plans/easements_restrictions/sec88b_instrument">NSW Registrar General's directions about section 88B instruments</a>.
I will check to see if there are restrictions to multi unit or dual occupancies on the land. I understand that council may still approve a development contrary to a section 88B instrument restriction such as dual occupancy. For instance, if the land zoning allows for dual occupancies under council’s local environment plan and development control plan, then council may approve your DA. However be prepared for some retribution from the land developer or opposition from neighbours.
Sewer diagram
This can be the most important check. The water authority will issue a sewer diagram. I opened a contract for a house on a large block this week only to see it had no connection to the sewer.  This may seem odd but it was an older property and was built before sewer was available to this location.
To connect the property to the sewer may be very costly. The connection point can also indicate the fall of the land as the sewer connection will always be at the lowest point. Depending on your development plans, you may need to extend the sewer line a considerable way and this will impact on costs. Also, look out for sewer junctions and manholes which will add complication to a development site.
I assessed a property that looked like an awesome development site; it had a good house facing one street on a large block with a second street frontage. There was room to build a duplex facing the other street. But after seeing the sewer diagram I just laughed, there were three sewer lines all connecting to one junction in the back yard.  You couldn’t build over that.  Or even if you could, the amount of piering around the sewer lines required would add crazy costs to the project.
So that’s my five main areas I look at in a sales contract, it only takes a few minutes but I can tell in a flash if the site is worth pursuing or not.

<hr>
Jo Chivers is director of <a title="Property Bloom" href="https://www.propertybloom.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="font-size: 14px;">Property Bloom</a>, which manages property development.
 
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Contract of sale - five vital checks to see if your development plans are worth pursuing: Jo Chivers

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When you've been attending a number of open homes, you quickly realise what is and isn't unusual for a property in the area. "Unusual" isn't always a good thing to associate with your investment property, but a desirable, scarce and highly valued difference can ensure that your property is in good stead for future growth.
This concept comes up consistently from a number of investment professionals. Yesterday evening, at WBP Property Group's ‘Property Investment Symposium’ event, which Property Observer attended (you can read all of the tweets from the event, and some reader questions, via <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23propertyobserving&amp;src=typd">#propertyobserving</a>) this concept was heavily talked about.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
WBP philosophy: capital grth is king, historic performance crucial, high Land value, scarcity <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23propertyobserving&amp;src=hash">#propertyobserving</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/propertyobs">@propertyobs</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23wbpsymposium&amp;src=hash">#wbpsymposium</a>
— Jennifer Duke (@JennieDuke) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/JennieDuke/statuses/392929851125936128">October 23, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
Disputing the myths, WBP Property Group's property adviser, Phil Manning, stopped at a slide that said 'Location, location, location' and said that the reason we say it three times isn't because location is important enough to be mentioned thrice. In fact, it's because we should be looking at three location factors when it comes to a property:
Location in the suburb
Location in the street
Location in the block
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Phil Manning wants to give us some basic thoughts/fundamentals <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23propertyobserving&amp;src=hash">#propertyobserving</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/propertyobs">@propertyobs</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23wbpsymposium&amp;src=hash">#wbpsymposium</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/JSNFAntcqx">pic.twitter.com/JSNFAntcqx</a>
— Jennifer Duke (@JennieDuke) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/JennieDuke/statuses/392928808778469376">October 23, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
He later brought up an example of a property that they purchased. He noted that it had several 'scarcity' aspects to it, that ensured it would stack up. Not all of these would have been apparent to someone looking at the properties - and not all of those in the block would have had the same result.
For instance, it had views of Melbourne's skyline that could not be built out due to a heritage overlay. Those on the ground floor level would not have this view, and so would not be considered as having investment grade scarcity. It also had a pull down ladder to storage space in the roof - something very few units have, which counters many buyers' concerns about the difficulties of storage in apartments.
For this reason, apartments in large towers may not be the most preferable asset choice for investors with this strategy.
The concept of scarcity ties in nicely with supply and demand, in that it is a scarce type of supply. However, it's a little bit more difficult to determine. Without regularly viewing properties in the area, it can be hard for an out-of-town investor to know what is common within a property and what is not, and which factors are desirable. For instance, buying a weatherboard house in a primarily brick area, something Manning refers to as buying property that is anomalous to that in the area, could be to your detriment.
Monique Sasson Wakelin <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/properties-that-will-double-in-value-in-seven-to-10-years-monique-sasson-wakelin/2013091265003">previously told </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/properties-that-will-double-in-value-in-seven-to-10-years-monique-sasson-wakelin/2013091265003">Property Observer</a> that scarcity applies to both houses and units. "The same criterion applies to apartments. With apartments you want anything from 1930s through to about the 1970s. Those are the assets that really confer and satisfy that criterion of scarcity value," she said.
"When it comes to houses we like to choose investments that are anything from the 1880s probably to about the 1940s or 1950s."
For the reason of scarcity, Manning also said that you shouldn't go into every purchase leaving your emotions behind. Remember, the next buyer down the track will likely be an owner occupier buying based on emotion and you want to be aware of how they may feel towards a property, and how it suits their lifestyle.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Lifestyle offers that property makes is crucial. Transport is assumed. Walk to recreational says Manning <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23propertyobserving&amp;src=hash">#propertyobserving</a> <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/propertyobs">@propertyobs</a>
— Jennifer Duke (@JennieDuke) <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/JennieDuke/statuses/392932367620243456">October 23, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
Be emotional when you enter - see whether it has a feeling that appeals. Is the bay window, or fireplace, or similar, that you don't see much in other properties, that you could easily see an owner occupier paying a premium to have? Is it the view? Is it the slightly larger garden? See how it is located to desirable factors e.g. bike paths, recreational centres, and similar.
Where you don't want to be emotional, he said, is with the price you pay.
{module Do you consider scarcity value when considering investment properties?}
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Assessing capital growth potential: Scarcity factor

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If the past 10-15 years in real estate has taught us anything, it’s that no amount of regulation and legislation can protect consumers from bad advice or crooks hell-bent on ripping them off.
The 1990s was the era of the get-rich-quick seminar, when tens of thousands of Australians were duped by two-tier marketeers, seminar gurus and others into paying inflated prices for badly-located real estate or grossly over-priced “mentoring” services.
Eventually, the level of consumer outcry reached levels where politicians had to act. Queensland enacted the PAMDA laws in 2001 and in the following years most of the other states revised their real estate legislation, supposedly to stamp out the worst excesses of the residential property industry.
But in most cases the politicians sought advice on what should be done to protect consumers from the real estate industry. It was tantamount to asking the mafia for advice on how to stamp out the drug trade.
So, essentially, nothing has changed. Dummy bidding is still part and parcel of the auction process. Agents still over-quote to win listings and under-quote to attract auction crowds. Crooked operators continue to run seminars which promise to make people overnight millionaires. Shonky businesses still claim to possess “wealth secrets” which they will reveal for a hefty fee. Marketing operations receiving huge commissions from developers continue to describe themselves as “buyers agents” or “clubs” purporting to represent the interests of buyers.
As I recorded <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/hotspots/sorting-out-the-good-the-bad-and-the-downright-ugly-of-investment-property-advice-terry-ryder/2013082664566" target="_blank">in a previous column</a>, the Melbourne Home Show in August was teeming with dodgy operators seeking to exploit consumers rather than provide genuine services.
If anything, matters have got worse. It’s an open secret that accountants and financial advisors, with all the required qualifications and registrations, earn commissions of up to $35,000 per deal whenever their clients buy developer stock. Not only is the advice based on vested interests, but the consumer is paying a price inflated by the outrageous marketing fees – and invariably in a project located in an under-performing market, because developers need to pay massive commissions only when they’re struggling to sell their stock.
We have developers building high-rise apartments in over-supplied markets because they can sell them at inflated prices to uninformed distant investors. In the late 1990s and early 2000s they went interstate or out west to find gullible punters. Now they take roadshows to China. Then they run ads telling Australians they should be buying because the Chinese are – and we all know how much research the Chinese do.
The problem with regulation is that it’s only as good as the enforcement. And, across Australia, there are few government bodies willing to take responsibility for enforcing laws designed to protect real estate consumers. All states and territories have offices of fair trading or consumer protection but, with the exception of the Western Australia body, they are all toothless tigers.
The only way real estate consumers will be protected is through education. Real estate needs to be taught in schools. It’s a basic life skill everyone needs. Everyone will become a tenant, so we need to teach the rights and responsibilities of tenants, and two-thirds will eventually become home owners. Many will seek also to be investors.
But, as I observe day after day, most wannabe investors have little idea on how to proceed. They don’t have clear objectives, nor strategies for achieving the objectives, nor an understanding of finance options, nor the first clue on where to go for the information they need to make informed choices about what, where and when to buy.
The lack of knowledge displayed by most real estate consumers is little short of tragic.
We will never be able to pass laws to adequately protect Australians from the rip-off merchants who prowl the real estate industry. The best we can do is give them some tools to protect themselves by providing a basic real estate education, starting in high school.
<hr>
Terry Ryder is the founder of <a href="https://www.hotspotting.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: 14px;">hotspotting.com.au</a> and you can contact Terry via <a href="https://mailto:%20ryder@hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">email</a> or on <a href="https://twitter.com/hotspotting" target="_blank" style="font-size: 14px;">Twitter</a>.
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Property advice regulation and legislation is not enough to protect consumers: Terry Ryder

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Our 15 questions to ask can be helpful in this respect. Sit down and consider your lifestyle and goals. If you’re looking to refinance as a couple, or a group, you will want to discuss your options at this point in time.
<hr>
This article is from Property Observer's free ebook <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-mastering-the-art-of-refinancing-12-tips-for-success-and-key-things-to-consider" target="_parent">Mastering the Art of Refinancing: 12 tips for success and key things to consider</a>.
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