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.

Joel Robinson

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366760]

<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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366769]

A Linacre Rise purchaser said the completed apartment had delivered the space, outlook and construction quality they had been seeking.

“The unit is very light, has views to die for over the bay, all construction materials and fittings are premium quality, we have secure parking for three cars, EV charging at very competitive rates, the neighbours are friendly and there is just a lovely ambiance about the place,” the purchaser said.

Environmental features include solar panels, shared electric vehicle charging stations, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, double-glazed windows and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95289 project_image_fid=366762]

The development was built by Balmain &amp; Co, with Wickton managing the broader development process through its in-house team.

For downsizers, the project’s completed status removes much of the uncertainty associated with buying off the plan. Purchasers can inspect the finished apartments, understand their outlook and proportions, and move in without waiting for construction to conclude.

The remaining selection includes north-oriented balconies, corner configurations and penthouses with elevated bay views. The developer-paid stamp duty initiative is available for a limited time, with potential savings of up to $200,000 depending on the residence purchased.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95289]

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

Luxury apartment buyers have long prioritised design, space and finishes, but increasingly they're placing equal importance on something less tangible: how easily they can live without relying on a car.

At <a>Richmond Square</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> believes that convenience begins beyond the apartment itself, with the mixed-use precinct earning a near-perfect Walk Score of 99.

The development has been planned around the idea that some of the most valuable amenities aren't contained within a building, they're the restaurants, cafés, parks, transport connections and daily conveniences that can all be reached on foot.

Located just behind Swan Street and Church Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/richmond-square-1-wiltshire-street-richmond-vic-3121">Richmond Square</a> places residents within one of Melbo​u​rne's most established lifestyle precincts while offering a quieter residential setting removed from the busiest thoroughfares. East Richmond Station is moments away, trams run along both Swan and Church Streets, and the MCG, Melb​​ourne Park, Yarra River trails and the CBD are all within walking distance. At the same time, the precinct itself will introduce a curated mix of dining, retail, hospitality and wellness offerings, creating a destination that extends well beyond its residential buildings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348530]

For Fortis, that combination of location and scale was what made the site unique.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a> is one of Melb​o​urne's most established and distinctive inner-city neighbourhoods, with a rare combination of dining, culture, recreation, public transport and proximity to the CBD," the developer said.

"The opportunity at Wiltshire Street was particularly compelling because the site sits slightly removed from the activity of Swan and Church Streets while remaining only moments from everything that makes the area desirable."

Rather than developing a standalone apartment building, Fortis consolidated 15 individual properties to create one of the larger development parcels assembled on Mel​b​ourne's city fringe in recent years. That allowed the team to deliver a genuine mixed-use precinct comprising 107 residences across Wiltshire House and Carmine House, premium office space, hospitality venues, retail, wellness offerings and a future 57-room hotel.

"The scale of the site allowed Fortis to think beyond a standalone apartment building," the developer said.

"Richmond Square could be planned as a complete lifestyle precinct, bringing homes, workplaces, dining, retail, hospitality and wellness together around a series of activated public spaces. The aim was to create a destination that feels connected to Richmond rather than separate from it."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348533]

The emphasis on walkability has also resonated with buyers.

Interest has been strongest from established owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers from Richmond and Melb​ourne's inner east who want to remain close to familiar restaurants, workplaces, family and social networks while moving into a more secure, lower-maintenance home. The project is also attracting Mornington Peninsula and interstate buyers seeking a Melb​ourne residence they can lock up and leave between visits.

Many are looking for generous living spaces, room to entertain, quality finishes and confidence in the project team, but location remains one of the biggest deciding factors.

"For many buyers, Richmond Square provides a way to simplify the practical side of home ownership without reducing the quality of their lifestyle," the sales team said.

"Location is also a major driver of interest. Buyers can remain connected to the CBD, major sporting events, the arts centres, local restaurants, cafes and bars and their family while living in a private and secure residence that is easy to lock up and leave for weekends or longer periods away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348549]

The residences themselves have been designed with that buyer in mind. Award-winning architecture practice SJB and interior designers Hecker Guthrie have created spacious two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses that prioritise generous living areas, natural light, bespoke joinery and private terraces. Above, a rooftop sanctuary by Acre includes landscaped lawns, bookable dining rooms, barbecue facilities, wellness spaces and panoramic views across the CBD, the MCG and Port Phillip Bay.

Fortis believes Richmond Square reflects a broader evolution in apartment living, where the surrounding neighbourhood becomes just as important as the residence itself.

"Richmond Square introduces a different proposition: generously proportioned residences within a genuinely mixed-use, hospitality-led destination," the developer said.

"The project's location and Walk Score of 99 further support a lifestyle where residents can complete many everyday journeys without relying on a car."

Fortis has assembled an experienced team that includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/hecker-guthrie">Hecker Guthrie</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a> and builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hacer-group">Hacer Group</a>, reflecting the developer's commitment to creating projects with enduring design quality and meaningful connections to the communities in which they sit.&nbsp;

Richmond Square is an expression of that philosophy, bringing together homes, workplaces, hospitality and wellness within one of Me​lb​ourne's most walkable neighbourhoods.&nbsp;

Construction is now almost complete, providing purchasers with growing confidence ahead of its expected September 2026 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13181]

Walk Score of 99 places Richmond Square at the heart of Melbourne's most connected lifestyle

<h3 data-end="19" data-section-id="1dvgwoe" data-start="0">Summary</h3>

<ul data-end="634" data-start="21">
	<li data-end="170" data-section-id="1o77v31" data-start="21">Walker Corporation has lodged plans for a second major residential development in the Maroochydore City Centre, a 29-storey tower known as Celeste.</li>
	<li data-end="327" data-section-id="1lb0y6t" data-start="171">The Plus Studio-designed proposal at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade would deliver 208 apartments, including four four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.</li>
	<li data-end="487" data-section-id="za720" data-start="328">The application comes as Walker doubles down on Maroochydore following the strong sales campaign at SOL by Walker, where the first tower is nearing sell-out.</li>
	<li data-end="634" data-section-id="5sovec" data-start="488">Walker is a key partner in the transformation of the Maroochydore City Centre, which is expected to ultimately deliver at least 4,000 new homes.</li>
</ul>

Walker Corporation is doubling down on Maroochydore following the successful sales campaign at its first residential project in the emerging CBD.

The national developer has filed plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celeste-30-sunshine-coast-parade-maroochydore-qld-4558">Celeste</a>, a new 29-storey apartment tower at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade, just metres from its under-construction SOL by Walker development.

The plans, prepared by Plus Studio, would see 208 apartments delivered across a 100-metre tower on the 2,376 sqm site, which fronts Sunshine Coast Parade, First Avenue and Future Way within the Maroochydore Priority Development Area.

<img alt="Walker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="17038209-6fea-4ed2-855d-fd4df65b3d02" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=iZD.oVXcQn.aLpUytDAW.CWjxP4puWMy" />

The proposed apartment mix comprises 36 one-bedroom apartments, 48 two-bedroom apartments, 72 two-bedroom apartments with an additional multipurpose space, and 48 three-bedroom apartments.

The upper levels would be capped by two four-bedroom sub-penthouses and two four-bedroom penthouses, taking the total apartment count to 208. The preliminary yield study also provides 262 car spaces, 114 resident bicycle spaces and storage for each apartment.

It represents Walker's next major residential move in the new Maroochydore CBD after the success of SOL by Walker, its $220 million two-tower project nearby.

SOL launched to market in early 2025 and has since seen strong demand, particularly from local owner-occupiers. By February this year, Walker said the first SOL tower was nearing sell-out, with a strong waitlist also emerging for its recently released penthouse collection.

Construction is already underway on SOL, with the first tower expected to be completed in late 2027 and the second to follow in early 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147777 project_image_fid=319846]

<h2 data-end="2518" data-section-id="1b2dyo5" data-start="2459">Celeste to rise 100 metres over Maroochydore City Centre</h2>

Celeste would take a different form to the twin 19-storey buildings at SOL.

Plus Studio has designed a single 100-metre tower above an activated podium, with the architecture responding to the site's prominent position and three street frontages.

The podium would incorporate commercial tenancies and public art, with sweeping façade elements wrapping the street edges. The scalloped concrete podium has been inspired by the patterns created in sand at low tide, while extensive landscaping would continue vertically through the tower.

The ground level plans show three commercial tenancies addressing Sunshine Coast Parade alongside the residential lobby and landscaped public realm. The podium would then accommodate several levels of car parking before the residential tower rises above.

<img alt="Celeste" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="121f77b1-71c5-46d7-9b36-0a7d474211ca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=MGrg9Hb7HgzLN0Lelq_xrXNAruVl77ia" />

Plus Studio said the tower had been designed to maximise views from each apartment, taking in the Maroochy River, Sunshine Coast hinterland, Cotton Tree and Maroochydore Beach and ocean.

Those views have also shaped one of the project's key features, with Walker proposing to put the primary resident amenity on Level 29 rather than lower within the building.

The rooftop would feature a 284.9 sqm pool area with an infinity edge, along with a cold pool, spa, sauna, 93.2 sqm gym, sunset lounge, BBQ and dining areas, pool deck and private dining space. Cabanas and day beds are also shown across the recreation level.

The two penthouses would extend across the upper levels and each feature private terraces and plunge pools.

<h2 data-end="4202" data-section-id="v5f4ix" data-start="4160">Walker's growing Maroochydore footprint</h2>

Celeste further reinforces Walker's commitment to the transformation of Maroochydore City Centre.

Walker is one of the key partners delivering the new CBD alongside Sunshine Coast Council and SunCentral Maroochydore, with the broader 62-hectare Priority Development Area occupying the former Horton Park Golf Course and surrounding land.

The precinct is ultimately expected to accommodate at least 4,000 new homes as Maroochydore evolves into the Sunshine Coast's principal commercial and residential centre.

When SOL secured approval in February 2025, Walker Managing Director and CEO David Gallant described it as the "first of many residential projects" the company planned for the Maroochydore City Centre.

Celeste now provides the clearest indication yet of what comes next.

The site sits immediately within the new CBD, with the design report identifying Sunshine Plaza and surrounding parkland within walking distance and Maroochydore Beach around a five-minute drive away.

For Walker, the timing of the application comes as its first residential bet on the new CBD appears to have been vindicated.

SOL has progressed from planning approval to construction while its first release has approached sell-out, giving Walker confidence to push ahead with another 208 apartments and take its residential pipeline in the Maroochydore City Centre to around 450 dwellings across the two projects.

Celeste remains subject to planning approval, with the architectural material describing the scheme as a preliminary yield study that may change through the assessment process.

Walker doubles down on Maroochydore with 29-storey Celeste apartment tower

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

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?

<html><body>
The Australian housing market is not in a bubble, according to Sunrise breakfast host David Koch, who says the market will start to turn around once the economy picks up and investor confidence returns.
Koch says anyone following the property market might be left a little bit confused by “contradictory news headlines and expert opinions” but says the bottom line is that in the medium term, “the tough times for Australian property appear set to continue”.
He says “there’s no bubble to burst, but prices are unlikely to have increased of late either”.
“A sharp global economic downturn would ensure they stayed this way for a while yet,” Koch writes in a thought piece for Yahoo7 Finance.
“But once the green shoots of economic growth return, and with them increasing investor confidence, things should turn around.
“Further interest rate cuts, continued low unemployment, population growth and improving housing affordability will all help to support the house price growth when it happens.
“It’s just not happening yet,” he says.
Koch says while RP Data reported that Melbourne house prices rose 1% in June, there was also data released by SQM Research showing there are now a “whopping” 386,857 properties for sale across the country, up 6.4% from a year.
“All else equal, this points to softening prices”.
“Digging a bit further into the data reveals that Melbourne and Hobart in particular are facing tough times with 28% and 29% annual increases in stock levels respectively.
“Going back to Economics 101, the reports of increasing property prices in these supply flooded areas is a bit hard to fathom,” he says.
However, outside of Melbourne and Hobart, Koch says supply levels seem to be stabilising, although at a higher level.
“This should ensure prices remain subdued for a little while longer until interest rate relief entices a few more first-home buyers into the market and some more properties are cleared from the auctioneers’ books,” he says.
</body></html>

lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

No Australian housing bubble, but tough times ahead for property market: David Koch

<html><body>
The easing of Sydney’s eastern suburbs rental price growth has escalated during winter.
There’s been an average increase of 2.66% amid rentals secured through rent roll of one of the eastern suburbs' leading agencies, BradfieldCleary.
“This indicates the rate of rent rises has slowed,” agency principal Bob Guth advised his landlords.
The agency publishes a table of re-let properties indicating the new rent and the old rent, albeit without any indication of the interim period.
On its latest list of 19 recent rentals, there were four properties where rents went backwards by very small increments and three where no adjustment to the recent was achieved.
“We noted in May that rents were continuing to rise as the average increase was 7.75%,” Guth says.
“In November 2011 we recorded re-let properties showing an average increase of 13.5% over the old rent,” he sats.
While noting the lower range had continued to move upwards, Guth concedes the slowing “was perhaps partly due to seasonal factors”.
“There is no doubt rent levels in the executive class – above $1,500 per week – have slipped over the last 12 months,” Guth says.
The July list indicated rental properties relet within a range of -4.5% in Darling Point to +12.5% for a Paddington terrace.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://bradfieldcleary.com.au/blogentry/15/bob-guth-s-weekly-realestatement">May list</a> ranged between +1.2% in Edgecliff to +30.7% in Elizabeth Bay.
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="416"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
PROPERTY
 
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
$ PW NEW Rent – OLD RENT
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
% CHANGE
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
STEPHEN ST PADDINGTON (STUDIO APARTMENT)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
290 - 280
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+3.6 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
ELIZABETH BAY RD ELIZABETH BAY (OLDER-STYLE 1 BR)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
350 - 350 
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
DARLING POINT RD DARLING POINT (ULTRA MOD 1 BR)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
420 - 440
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
-4.5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
ETHAM AVE DARLING POINT (1 BR OLDER STYLE)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
420 - 420 
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
BELLEVUE RD BELLEVUE HILL (1 BR PLUS SUNROOM)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
440 - 440
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
EDGECLIFF RD EDGECLIFF (ART DECO 1 BR)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
440 - 420
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+4.7
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
ETHEL ST RANDWICK (RENOVATED 2 BR)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
440 - 450
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
-2.2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
EDGECLIFF RD EDGECLIFF (2 BR PLUS SUNROOM)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
450 - 430
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+4.6
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
NEW SOUTH HEAD RD DOUBLE BAY (1 BR PLUS STUDY)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
475 - 470
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
NEW SOUTH HEAD RD VAUCLUSE (RENOVATED 2 BR)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
530 - 525
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
COURT RD DOUBLE BAY (2 BR WITH SECURITY)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
550 - 530
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+3.8
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
GREENOAKS AVE DOUBLE BAY (2 BR ART DECO)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
560 - 550
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+1.8
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
KENSINGTON RD KENSINGTON (OLDER STYLE 2 BR SEMI)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
565 - 575
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
-1.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
WILLIAM ST DOUBLE BAY (2 BR ART DECO UNIT)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
595 - 570
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+4.4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
ALBION ST PADDINGTON (2 BR TERRACE)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
675 - 600
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+12.5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
MACLEAY ST POTTS POINT (2 BR ART DECO WITH VIEWS)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
900 - 860
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+4.7
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
EDGECLIFF RD EDGECLIFF (3 BR ART DECO)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
930 - 900
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+3.3
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
BLAIR ST NORTH BONDI (3 BR TOWNHOUSE)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
1050 - 980
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
+7.1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
DOVER RD ROSE BAY (3 BR PENTHOUSE)
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
1150- 1158
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
-0.7
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="243" valign="top">
AVERAGE
</td>
<td width="104" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="68" valign="top">
2.66%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
<div align="center"></div>
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Eastern Sydney rental growth still easing as some rentals fall in winter

<html><body>
Although the clearance rate in Melbourne this week was a reasonably healthy 60% the buyers clearly had the upper hand as their compatriots were thin on the ground. Many auctions were passed in and negotiated shortly after.
For those who want to have a harmless punt, there's now a tipping website, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertytycoon.com.au/">www.propertytycoon.com.au</a>, where punters can guess auction five results in Melbourne and Sydney, with no outlay. It's mostly about testing your market knowledge with a small cash prize as a sweetener. 
When a property is passed in the balance of power immediately moves to the buyer, as was the case at 19 Lee Street, Flemington (pictured below). After a brief auction, where only one bidder appeared, the property was passed in for $800,000.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/leest.jpg">
For the buyer this was gold, as it gave him the opportunity to stand firm and drag out the negotiation. After extensive discussions lasting a couple of hours the property sold for $820,000. This price was $10,000 less than the top of the agent’s quoted range.
In Sydney auctions clearance rates were just behind Melbourne at 58.8%, but interestingly 28 or around 15% of the scheduled auctions were withdrawn. This indicates a significant number of properties had no interested parties, as a property is usually withdrawn if no one registers their intention to bid.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/07/birriga.jpg">
Four out of the five Sydney Property Tycoon auctions were sold. The top floor Art Deco apartment at 10/78 Birriga Road, Bellevue Hill (pictured above), sold under the hammer for $675,000. This result is what the majority of auction tippers expected, with the average tip being $670,000.
</body></html>

marmstrong-sd3emVLPPb

Balance of power held by buyers as Melbourne and Sydney auction tipping competition properties sell at or after auction

<html><body>Australian Property Monitors (APM) has released a list of results from 226 auctions in Sydney for the weekend of July 14. The clearance rate was 58.8%. <a href="https://www.homepriceguide.com.au/saturday_auction_results/Sydney.pdf" target="_blank"> Click here</a> for the auction results, and click on each street address to see the property's marketing.</body></html>

po-LsXgBTHBmX

APM's 226 Sydney auction results show 58.8% clearance rate

<html><body>
A business owner’s failure to separate his or herself from the business entity is one of the biggest problems I see in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Total absorption in your business may feel necessary at times, but living like this affects financial performance as much as mental health.
Business owners are at their most efficient when they create and maintain a sort of critical distance from their business. Here are a few tips on how to do this:
Goals: When starting or buying a business, write down why you are doing it, what you want to get out of it and what will define “success”. You have to know the goal.
Structure: Separating the person from the business starts with structuring. Are you a company, a sole trader, a partnership, a trust? You should engage a solicitor and accountant before starting a business, and have the ramifications spelled out to you in terms of tax, equity, liability law, business sale, superannuation and a host of compliance issues.
Exit: Smart business owners don’t “love” their enterprises too much; they grow them like crops and ensure capital gain when they sell. This requires a clear division in your mind between yourself and your business. It also requires you have a system.
System: The separation of business and business owner often comes down to the creation of a system for creating revenues as opposed to simply having a hard-working owner at the helm. This not only makes your business more valuable to buyers and more reliable in the eyes of the banks, but it helps you become a more successful business owner. With systemised management structure, financial reporting, sales functions and client contracts, etc, you have the opportunity to work on the business rather than simply in it.
Liability: Separating yourself from the business requires correct structuring, so that the legal/financial liabilities of the business are not sitting on the shoulders of you and your family.
Protection: You need the right insurances not only for the business, but for you. You need insurance cover for your family, and also for your business: if you have staff, some sort of key person/business continuance cover is essential to ensure they are looked after. And if you have a family company and you’re the major shareholder, what is your continuance strategy and is it in your will?
Experts: The best way to ensure personal/business separation is to engage the right experts at the right time. External professionals focus on the issue and they chase results, which gives you – the owner – the chance to see the business through clear eyes, untainted by history, personalities or emotions.
What’s in it for me? You’re the one who works like a maniac, who loses your weekends and goes over the spreadsheets late into the night. You must have your reward. Whether you structure this as a salary, bonus or a dividend, you must be rewarded by the business. Your business doesn’t own you – you own the business.
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ybr.com.au/">Yellow Brick Road</a>, a financial services company offering home loans, financial planning, accounting and tax, and insurance.
</body></html>

mbouris-tauSvXGAM2

How (and why) entrepreneurs can separate themselves from their businesses

<html><body>
Lend Lease’s timber tower development Forté in Docklands has continued its dramatic rise to the sky as builders start work on the sixth floor. Property Observer has continued its photographic survey for a week six update.
<img alt="_mg_5047" src="/images/stories/2012/07/july13forte/_mg_5047.jpg" width="470" height="313">
Construction began just six weeks ago, and the development is due to be finished in October.
<img alt="_mg_5012" src="/images/stories/2012/07/july13forte/_mg_5012.jpg" width="470" height="313">
The $11 million building will be Australia’s first timber high-rise building. Set on an elevated concrete podium, the building will rise to 10 levels and is being built with prefabricated wooden panels made from cross-laminated timber and will feature 23 apartments.
<img alt="_mg_5007" src="/images/stories/2012/07/july13forte/_mg_5007.jpg" width="470" height="313">
Two weeks ago, work had just started on the fourth floor.
<img alt="_mg_5036" src="/images/stories/2012/07/july13forte/_mg_5036.jpg" width="470" height="313">
Cranes have been lifting large prefabricated panels into place.
Forté is taking part in the annual Open House Melbourne event on Sunday, July 29. This is a free event that offers Melburnians a chance to discover the wealth of architecture, history and design nestled around the city.
Date: 29 July 2012 Time: 10am – 4pm Location: 825 Bourke Street, Docklands
For more information, visit <a href="https://www.openhousemelbourne.org/" target="_blank">www.openhousemelbourne.org</a>
<img alt="_mg_5042" src="/images/stories/2012/07/july13forte/_mg_5042.jpg" width="470" height="313">
<img alt="fortesite3" src="/images/stories/2012/06/fortesite3.jpg" width="470" height="313">
Forté's progress as of June 8
 
<img alt="fortejune3" src="/images/stories/2012/06/fortejune3.jpg" width="470" height="313">
Forté's progress as of June 29
 
<img alt="_mg_5006" src="/images/stories/2012/07/july13forte/_mg_5006.jpg" width="470" height="313">
Forté's progress as of July 13
{module Would you buy an apartment in a timber building?} 
</body></html>

awalsh-7Ub9EypybQ

Lend Lease's timber residential high rise Forté reaches for the treetops six weeks on

<html><body>
ANZ has left its variable interest rates unchanged today following its July independent interest rates review as economists remain divided about whether the RBA will cut rates on August 7.
The latest Bloomberg survey of economists found that 13 out of 24 expect the RBA to cut the cash rate to 3.25% on August 7 (unchanged from a week ago) with the rest expecting the cash rate to remain unchanged at 3.5%.
ANZ's standard variable rate remains at 6.80% the same as that of the Commonwealth Bank and just above NAB at 6.78%, which has pledged to offer the lowest standard variable rate among the Big Four throughout 2012.
Westpac remains the outlier with a standard variable rate of 6.89%.
ANZ CEO Australia Philip Chronican says the bank left variable mortgage rates unchanged “despite funding costs remaining elevated”.
Chronican says competition for deposits remains strong and is continuing to put pressure on margins, while “recent news from Europe has helped somewhat in stabilising offshore funding markets”.
Among the 24 economists surveyed by Bloomberg, the major banks are neatly divided with Westpac and Commonwealth Bank expecting a rate cut on August 7 and NAB and ANZ expecting the RBA to hold firm.
ANZ is pencilling in two 25 basis point rate cuts for October (previously August) and November this year.
Yesterday ANZ said the small increase in the June unemployment rate to 5.2% was unlikely to cause too much concern for the RBA.
</body></html>

ANZ leaves mortgage rates unchanged as economists remain divided on August rate cut

cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Melbourne unit prices – how your suburb went in the 2012 June quarter: REIV

Melbourne house prices – how your suburb went in the 2012 June quarter: REIV

<html><body>
Median prices rebounded in the June quarter assisted by limited top-end Melbourne house activity, but still remain 5.3% lower annually, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.

Reversing a trend of the past year, top-end Melbourne house prices rebounded 6.7% in the June quarter, according to the REIV. 
Overall, Melbourne house prices rose 2.9% to a median of $535,000 in the June quarter, with the lowest-priced quartile rising 2.6%.
Median prices sit at 5.3% lower over the year.
In the year to March, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/victorian-median-house-prices-and-quarterly-and-annual-changes-reiv/2012041354262" target="_blank">house prices fell furthest in more affluent suburbs</a>, but in the June quarter house prices in the priciest 5th percentile rose from a median price of $1,406,500 to a median of $1,500,250.
This trend was reversed for unit prices, with prices for the most expensive units (those in the 95th percentile) falling an average of 3.3%, from a median of $950,900 to $920,000.
The REIV chief Enzo Raimondo said that a combination of broader economic factors, slowing population growth and continuing low levels of consumer confidence had resulted in no real capital growth in the residential market over the past year. 
But the REIV chief Enzo Raimondo noted while the overall median price had fallen 5.3% over the past 12 months the overall median had not changed in the past six months.
“Both buyers and sellers are approaching the market in a conservative manner. This is translating into a lower number of sales than is present in a strong market and as a result, no real price growth has been recorded.
“The real estate market moves in cycles and, after the initial price falls in 2011, it is now in a period of stability marked by low activity.
Raimondo noted the median price had fallen 5.3% over the past 12 months but the overall median had not changed in the past six months.
The affluent suburb of East Melbourne had Melbourne's greatest increase in unit prices during the June 2012 quarter, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria and Toorak had the highest house price growth.
But agents caution that it's not likely that the approximnate 50% hikes in their median represented an actual shift in prices, but rather the predominance of pricey sales within the fewer than 30 actual sales.
It more likely reflected the dominence of a particular pricey market segment or even new development amid limited sales activity, rather than a dramatic price shift.
in the median represented an actual shift in prices, but rather the predominance of pricey unit sales within the fewer than 30 actual sales. The same goes with significant downwards shifts, which again reflect the dominence of a particular market segment amid limited sales activity, rather than a dramatic price shift.
Regional dwelling prices slid in the June quarter. At the same time last year <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/victorian-regional-centres-outperforming-melbourne-reiv/2011072550898" target="_blank">regional Victorian suburbs outperformed their Melbourne peers</a>, but after a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/regional-victorian-property-prices-going-nowhere/2012042654439" target="_blank">flat March quarter</a> regional house and unit prices fell in the June quarter. 
Regional Victorian house prices fell an average of 1.6% in the June quarter, with unit prices faring even worse, with a 4.5% fall. 
Melbourne 
<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="73" nowrap valign="top">
House Prices
</td>
<td width="77" valign="top">
Jun-12 Q
</td>
<td width="62" valign="top">
% chg to last q
</td>
<td width="84" valign="top">
Mar-12 Q
</td>
<td width="50" valign="top">
% chg to q last year
</td>
<td width="84" valign="top">
Jun-11 Q
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="73" nowrap valign="top">
Lower Quartile
</td>
<td width="77" nowrap valign="top">
$400,000
</td>
<td width="62" nowrap valign="top">
2.6%
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$390,051
</td>
<td width="50" nowrap valign="top">
-3.6%
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$415,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="73" nowrap valign="top">
Median
</td>
<td width="77" nowrap valign="top">
$535,000
</td>
<td width="62" nowrap valign="top">
2.9%
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$520,000
</td>
<td width="50" nowrap valign="top">
-5.3%
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$565,050
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="73" nowrap valign="top">
Upper Quartile
</td>
<td width="77" nowrap valign="top">
$750,000
</td>
<td width="62" nowrap valign="top">
2.7%
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$730,000
</td>
<td width="50" nowrap valign="top">
-6.1%
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$798,750
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="73" nowrap valign="top">
85th Percentile
</td>
<td width="77" nowrap valign="top">
$940,000
</td>
<td width="62" nowrap valign="top">
5.0%
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$895,000
</td>
<td width="50" nowrap valign="top">
-4.2%
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$981,650
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="73" nowrap valign="top">
95th Percentile
</td>
<td width="77" nowrap valign="top">
$1,500,250
</td>
<td width="62" nowrap valign="top">
6.7%
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$1,406,500
</td>
<td width="50" nowrap valign="top">
-0.7%
</td>
<td width="84" nowrap valign="top">
$1,510,000
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Source: <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank">REIV</a>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="75">
Unit Prices
</td>
<td valign="top" width="79">
Jun-12 Q
</td>
<td valign="top" width="74">
% chg to last q
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
Mar-12 Q
</td>
<td valign="top" width="59">
% chg to q last year
</td>
<td valign="top" width="81">
Jun-11 Q
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="75">
Lower Quartile
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="79">
$357,500
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="74">
2.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
$350,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
-2.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
$365,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="75">
Median
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="79">
$450,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="74">
1.9%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
$441,500
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
-4.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
$469,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="75">
Upper Quartile
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="79">
$580,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="74">
-1.5%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
$589,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
-4.9%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
$610,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="75">
85th Percentile
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="79">
$680,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="74">
-1.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
$687,350
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
-4.9%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
$715,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="75">
95th Percentile
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="79">
$920,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="74">
-3.3%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
$950,900
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="59">
-7.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
$990,000
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
 Source: <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank">REIV</a>
Regional Victoria
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="top">
House Prices
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Jun-12 Q
</td>
<td width="44" valign="top">
% chg to last q
</td>
<td width="76" valign="top">
Mar-12 Q
</td>
<td width="70" valign="top">
% chg to q  last year
</td>
<td width="79" valign="top">
Jun-11 Q
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="top">
Lower Quartile
</td>
<td width="76" nowrap valign="top">
$231,000
</td>
<td width="44" nowrap valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="76" nowrap valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="70" nowrap valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="79" nowrap valign="top">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="top">
Median
</td>
<td width="76" nowrap valign="top">
$305,000
</td>
<td width="44" nowrap valign="top">
-1.6%
</td>
<td width="76" nowrap valign="top">
$310,000
</td>
<td width="70" nowrap valign="top">
-4.7%
</td>
<td width="79" nowrap valign="top">
$320,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="64" nowrap valign="top">
Upper Quartile
</td>
<td width="76" nowrap valign="top">
$402,750
</td>
<td width="44" nowrap valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="76" nowrap valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="70" nowrap valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="79" nowrap valign="top">
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
  Source: <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank">REIV</a>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="67">
Unit Prices
</td>
<td valign="top" width="91">
Jun-12 Q
</td>
<td valign="top" width="72">
% chg to last q
</td>
<td valign="top" width="77">
Mar-12 Q
</td>
<td valign="top" width="80">
% chg to last year
</td>
<td valign="top" width="70">
Jun-11 Q
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="67">
Lower Quartile
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="91">
$200,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="72">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="77">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="80">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="67">
Median
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="91">
$247,250
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="72">
-4.5%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="77">
$259,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="80">
-1.1%
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
$250,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="67">
Upper Quartile
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="91">
$289,000
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="72">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="77">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="80">
 
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="70">
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
 Source: <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank">REIV</a>
 
</body></html>

Latest Expert Insights

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

Guides

Editor's Picks

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Latest Expert Insights

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

Guides

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Guides

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News