Buyers considering a residence at boutique Gordon townhouse development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lume-gordon-43-47-dumaresq-street-gordon-nsw-2072">Lume</a>&nbsp;now have another reason to bring forward their decision.

For a limited time, purchasers of a residence at Lume will receive a BMW iX3 50 electric SUV, valued at more than $120,000, as part of their purchase. The offer is designed to add value for buyers while complementing the lifestyle envisioned for the architecturally designed Upper North Shore development.

Scott Timmins, Development Manager at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/winim">WINIM</a>, said the partnership was created to provide buyers with a compelling reason to act.

"In today's market, buyers need a compelling reason to act now, and the BMW partnership was designed to create that catalyst. We wanted to add genuine value for our future purchasers. Choosing the all-electric BMW iX3 50 also reflects the values behind LUME, forward-thinking design, innovation and a more sustainable way of living. It's a premium incentive that complements the lifestyle our buyers aspire to and rewards those who commit early."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374893]

Delivered by WINIM in partnership with Burtonwood Investment Partners, Lume comprises 14 architecturally designed two, three and four-bedroom townhomes created for families seeking the space of a freestanding house with the ease of modern, low-maintenance living.

The three-storey residences, designed by award-winning architecture practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, have been tailored for families and multi-generational living, featuring private internal lifts, flexible lower-level spaces, generous open-plan living and entertaining areas, media rooms, and landscaped outdoor spaces with custom outdoor kitchens.&nbsp;

Inside, engineered oak flooring, bespoke dining joinery with integrated wine fridges and backlit bars, sculptural porcelain bathrooms, Parisi freestanding baths and Astra Walker tapware create interiors that balance functionality with refined finishes.

Each townhome has been designed to combine generous internal spaces with sustainability initiatives such as EV charging infrastructure, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>'s landscaped communal areas, centred around a restored creek line and native planting, encourage residents to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=269527]

Rothelowman's Gary Tsui said the architecture was conceived to respond carefully to its Upper North Shore setting.

"Our vision was to create elegant, uplifting homes that draw on and positively contribute to the local character through meticulously considered design and an interaction with the surroundings."

The communal landscape has been designed as more than an open space between homes. Arcadia's Ben Newell and Kate Phillips said the adjoining reserve provided an opportunity to create a distinctive natural retreat for residents.

"Just as waterways carve their way through Ku-ring-gai's landscape, a raised boardwalk weaves through the reserve, connecting the homes to this tranquil oasis."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7354 project_image_fid=374892]

Located just 300 metres from <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/gordon-nsw-2072">Gordon</a> Village and Gordon railway station, Lume offers convenient access to Sydney's CBD while placing residents close to some of the North Shore's leading schools, including Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College and Knox Grammar. Lane Cove National Park, Gordon Golf Club and a range of cafés and restaurants further reinforce the family-focused lifestyle on offer, with the BMW iX3 50 complementing everything from local trips around Gordon to weekend drives and city commutes.

Construction is underway with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7354]

Joel Robinson

Boutique Gordon townhomes now come with a BMW iX3 50

Two apartments have sold for more than $10 million at EADE Byron Bay, setting some of the highest apartment prices ever achieved in the coastal town and underlining the growing appetite for luxury beachfront apartments in Australia's most popular coastal locations.

The $210 million project by Vitale Property Group has now secured more than $70 million in sales, led by residences that changed hands for $12.75 million and $11.75 million.

The record-breaking transactions reinforce the shift occurring in Byron Bay's premium property market, where affluent downsizers and lifestyle buyers are increasingly opting for high-end apartments over large beachfront homes.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/eade-byron-bay-29-shirley-street-byron-bay-nsw-2481">EADE Byron Bay</a> occupies a rare 6,000 sqm absolute beachfront site on the corner of Shirley and Milton Streets overlooking Main Beach and The Wreck surf break, just 350 metres from Byron Bay's town centre.

The 25-residence development is the first beachfront apartment project approved in Byron Bay in more than a decade and is currently under construction, with completion expected in May 2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359521]

The project has attracted a mix of local Byron Shire residents downsizing from larger homes, alongside interstate buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane seeking a permanent coastal lifestyle without compromising on space.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a> and with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/alexander-co">Alexander &amp; Co</a>, EADE comprises&nbsp;10 garden apartments ranging from 284 sqm to 622 sqm, nine with private pools, five full-floor apartments and 10 rooftop residences with private plunge pools, expansive outdoor entertaining areas and uninterrupted ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359527]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/vitale-property-group">Vitale Property Group</a> Managing Partner Chris Vitale said the project's combination of scale, location and limited future supply was driving buyer demand.

"There isn't another beachfront holding in Byron Bay of this size and position that could be developed again," Vitale said.

"Buyers are responding to the scarcity and the irreplaceability of a site of this calibre and to floorplans they can't find elsewhere in the market.

"We are seeing buyers place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of the location. The sales achieved to date demonstrate that discerning purchasers recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay.

"Many are coming from larger homes in the Byron region, or from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and are after the space, security and convenience, without the upkeep of a house."

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145590 project_image_fid=359523]

The Byron Bay project follows Vitale Property Group's delivery of the Mondrian Hotel and Private Residences at Burleigh Heads, with EADE continuing the developer's focus on luxury coastal developments.

Residents will have access to a resort-style swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, cold plunge pool, concierge services and dedicated workspaces, while the project is targeting an 8-Star Green Star rating.

EADE Byron Bay is being exclusively marketed by Projx Australia in conjunction with WHITEFOX Projects.

WHITEFOX National Projects Director Phillip Rand said demand had been driven predominantly by owner-occupiers.

"We are seeing buyers at EADE place significant value on quality, space, design, resort-style amenities and the rarity of this location," Rand says.

"The sales achieved to date demonstrate that purchasers at this level recognise the long-term significance of what is being created at EADE Byron Bay."

Residences at EADE Byron Bay are currently priced between $4.75 million and $15.95 million.

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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145590]

Vitale breaks Byron Bay records with EADE sales flurry 

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

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

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hg-developments">HG Developments</a> is doubling down on Maud Street in Newstead, filing plans for a new apartment tower just a few doors down from its under-construction Aire Newstead development.

Recently submitted to Brisbane City Council, the proposal is for an 18-storey building designed by bureau^proberts, which has drawn heavily on Brisbane's subtropical design principles while referencing the suburb's industrial heritage.

A total of 64 apartments are planned for the amalgamated 1,518 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/17-21-maud-street-newstead-qld-4006">17–21 Maud Street</a>, a short walk from the Brisbane River and Newstead Riverwalk.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a400c7fd-bd15-48f8-a63b-10ede92efe00" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20bldg.png?VersionId=.0vPmjpbC7CNP7kqGWa6L7rGIwsNExaw" />

"The building is defined by a series of vaulted motifs that reinterpret the arches, colonnades and layered facades evident throughout Newstead's historic built fabric," the Urban Design Report states.

"Combined with recessed glazing and generous balconies, these elements create a layered building envelope that provides shade, weather protection and opportunities for natural ventilation whilst establishing a distinctive architectural identity."

The proposal comprises 64 two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 18 residential levels, positioning it alongside a growing number of taller residential projects transforming Newstead's northern precinct. The tower incorporates extensive subtropical landscaping, with cascading planter boxes, deep planting at street level and a landscaped rooftop recreation area.

<img alt="First look: HG Developments plans 18-storey subtropical apartment tower for Newstead" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d8140f4-8b98-45cd-b1b8-1efe8c8e266b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Maud%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=VAZtbCoD44YCJ57N99fQCAKeSJx7ldZs" />

Bureau Proberts has prioritised passive environmental design throughout the project, with generous balconies, recessed glazing and operable façades helping reduce solar heat gain while maximising natural ventilation. River views become available from the upper levels, while the building has been orientated to capture prevailing breezes from both the Brisbane River and the west.

The architects say landscape is intended to be integral to the building rather than an applied element.

"Vertical greenery, cascading planter boxes and elevated gardens are woven throughout the architecture, softening the built form and strengthening the connection between residents and the subtropical environment."

"Through the integration of landscape, high-quality materials and passive design principles, the development delivers a refined residential address that celebrates Newstead's heritage character while contributing positively to Brisbane's evolving subtropical identity."

Newstead has remained one of Brisbane's most active apartment markets in recent years, with a number of developers continuing to back the inner-city suburb.

HG Developments is currently delivering the 40-apartment Aire Newstead at 25 Maud Street. Fortis recently launched the 65-apartment <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> on Kyabra Street, while builder-developer BPG and Don O'Rorke's Consolidated Properties are both expected to launch their respective Newstead projects before the end of the year.

HG Developments doubles down in Newstead with second Maud Street apartment development

Walk past a new apartment development promoting its sustainability credentials and it's easy to picture rooftop gardens, mature trees, landscaped courtyards and residents surrounded by nature.

But in many cases, that's not actually what those sustainability ratings guarantee.

Australia's leading environmental rating tools have played a significant role in improving the energy efficiency and environmental performance of buildings. Yet despite their focus on reducing emissions, many don't require developers to include trees, biodiversity or meaningful green space.

In other words, a building can achieve one of the country's highest sustainability ratings while containing little more than concrete, glass and hard landscaping.

That disconnect has led to the emergence of a new movement across Australia's property industry: nature-based cities.

The concept goes beyond designing buildings that consume less energy. Instead, it encourages developers to treat nature as essential infrastructure, integrating biodiversity, tree canopy, living landscapes and green spaces into projects from the earliest stages of planning.

Research has consistently linked access to nature with better physical and mental health, cooler neighbourhoods, improved biodiversity, stronger climate resilience and more connected communities. As Australia's cities continue to become denser, advocates say those outcomes should be considered just as important as energy efficiency.

Nature Based Cities (NBC) was established in 2022 to help accelerate that shift.

Founded by Hamton Executive Chairman Paul Hameister OAM, the not-for-profit was created after research highlighted a significant gap in Australia's sustainability framework. While existing environmental rating tools rewarded energy performance and emissions reductions, they placed little emphasis on the inclusion of living landscapes.

"We've always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren't there," Hameister says.

"In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that's concrete and glass with not a blade of grass.

"The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn't been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities."

Since its launch, NBC has developed independent design guidelines and accreditation frameworks that encourage developers to prioritise ecology, biodiversity, tree canopy, walkability and living landscapes alongside traditional sustainability measures. The organisation first focused on medium and high-density residential developments before recently expanding into precinct-scale communities and masterplanned neighbourhoods.

Jan Talacko, founder of sustainability consultancy Ark Resources and a member of the Nature Based Cities Advisory Council, says the initiative addresses an area that has largely been overlooked by the property industry.

"Throughout my 25 years of working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the property sector, I've always favoured a pragmatic approach to sustainable design which encourages initiatives that not only meet environmental expectations but also improve amenity," Talacko says.

"Whilst we are making steady progress in relation to energy and carbon emissions from buildings, there has been much less emphasis on encouraging biodiversity and tackling the urban heat island effect.

"The Nature Based Cities initiative responds to a gap in the suite of tools currently used by the property development sector, which don't provide sufficient incentive, or recognition, for the integration of landscaping and greenery."

For apartment buyers, the shift is also changing the questions worth asking.

Rather than assuming a sustainable building will naturally include abundant green space, buyers are increasingly being encouraged to look beyond environmental ratings and ask what nature is actually being delivered. How much tree canopy will the development create? Has biodiversity been considered? Are landscaped spaces designed for people as well as appearance?

As Australia's cities continue to grow upwards and outwards, the next generation of sustainability may not simply be measured by lower emissions, but by how successfully developments bring nature back into everyday urban life.

What does it really mean for a building to be 'green'?

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>

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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?

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Residential property is going through a crisis of confidence at present. The market has been stalled by a continual conveyor belt of concerns. We’re worrying about the rising cost of living, the threat of a housing bubble, the direction of interest rates, the state of our economy, an overseas sovereign default, the carbon tax and a whole lot more. 
Currently the market remains balanced between positive forces (our strong fundamentals) and negative forces (poor consumer confidence), and until some of the uncertainty clears we’ll see many home buyers and investors sitting on the sidelines waiting to see how things pan out. They’re scared of making a mistake and either buying the wrong property or over-committing to something that could slide in value. 
I recently read a good analogy: If a fortune teller told you that there was a 10% chance of dying in a car crash today, many would stay home or catch a train. It’s much the same with property at present. The chances of our markets crashing are small, but the average Aussie is playing it cautious. 
So is this a new era for our property markets? 
Over the last couple of years our property markets were similar to all the other cycles I have invested through. Fear and greed got out of balance and the price of some properties went up by over 20% a year for a few years. 
Many Australians stopped thinking of their homes primarily as shelter and a long-term investment, and had begun to think of their houses as a get-rich-quick scheme or a very large automatic teller machine. This was spurred on by rising property values and relatively easy credit. Banks were lending money at low interest rates and high loan-to-value ratios, but much of this has changed now. 
More recently many of us have found a renewed enthusiasm for filling our financial coffers. We’ve entered an era where we’re saving rather than consuming. 
The fact is we’re now saving 10% to 12% of what we earn, which is very different to a few years ago when we were spending more than we were earning by borrowing more and more. 
This renewed thrift is a good thing. Higher household savings, lower credit card debt and paying off our mortgages sooner is a sign of strength (rather than weakness) that will protect us if our economy hits some speed bumps. 
Where are we in the property cycle?
Today when I hear from investors who are concerned with the negative media about the property markets and the world financial markets, I try to reassure them that the property market is behaving normally. 
Let’s be clear: the property cycle peaked over a year ago now, but that doesn’t mean growth in values has stopped forever. It means the markets in our major cities are taking a breather allowing fundamentals to catch up. Some properties will continue to fall in value, others will hold their prices and yet others will creep up in value.
If you’ve owned real estate for a while you would realised that property markets have always moved in cycles of rapid upward movements, followed by periods of flat or even negative growth, followed by another move upwards. 
I have often suggested that the sooner an investor has traded or invested through a cycle or two, the better investor he or she will be. He or she will then understand that slower phases in the property cycle, such as the one we are currently experiencing, are normal and they will know how to take advantage of it. 
And the good news for property investors is that while prices remain flat, rents keep rising and investment yields are moving up. 
The market is correcting, not collapsing
Last week both <a target="_blank" title="RP Data" href="https://www.RPdata.com">RPData</a>  and <a target="_blank" title="APM" href="https://www.apm.com">Australian Property Monitors</a> released their latest property stats, and they showed that across Australia some markets have stalled while others are correcting, but other than the Gold Coast, our markets are not collapsing like many doomsayers were predicting.
<img src="/images/stories/yardneyaugust31.jpg">
Of course these overall figures don’t really indicate what is really happening. 
I accept that as our cities mature, they become more unaffordable to some. But as you look deeper into the figures you realise that in every state we have multiple property markets with some properties still increasing in value while others are falling in value. 
These different submarkets are defined by different geographic locations as well as different price points. 
Recently the higher-end properties have been suffering and the more affordable end of the market has held its values better. This is no real surprise, as over the long term lower-value properties have always had lower price volatility (their prices don’t fluctuate as much as high-value properties), but in general they also have lower capital growth. 
What’s ahead?
Looking ahead I see that there could be local consequences from the overseas problems some of us are worried about and for property investors these will hit hardest in the areas of the availability of finance and higher interest rates. 
However, overall our property markets will be underwritten by our generally strong economy, the deficiency of housing at a time of increasing demand from our growing population and changing demographics, rising cost of construction and possibly the new carbon tax – which is likely to make new housing more expensive. 
But I’m not suggesting we are in for another boom – not just yet, anyway. We are at a time in the cycle when we won’t experience extraordinary property growth for a while, but I’ve invested and prospered through times like this before. 
What this means is that to be a successful property investor over the next few years, it is likely you are going to need to take a different approach to the one you took over the last few years. 
Now, when there are fewer buyers and competition is reduced, is a good time for cashed-up investors to undertake thorough research, then takes advantage of the opportunities the current market presents by negotiating well and buying the right type of property. 
Michael Yardney is the director of <a href="https://www.metropole.com.au/">Metropole Property Investment Strategists</a> , a best-selling author and one of Australia's leading experts in wealth creation through property. He also writes the <a href="https://www.propertyupdate.com.au/">Property Investment Update</a> blog. 
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myardney-DFoGhGbSJX

A property market downswing is normal and presents good investment opportunities

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The naïve, and often cruel, hand of government intervention has shown itself following the raft of state budget initiatives aimed at aiding the property industry.
On June 14 the Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser unveiled his $10,000 new home building boost grant.
And the home building industry immediately went dead because its introduction date wasn’t until August 1.
Accordingly Queensland led a national fall in dwelling approvals in June, with an 18.6% fall compared with May.
Urban Development Industry Association Queensland chief executive Brian Stewart says he expects Queensland new home sales to have fallen further in July.
This is flood-devastated Queensland, where the desire for new homes ought be creating record volumes.
Instead there was an immediate restraint shown by Queenslanders.
The Treasurer and his departmental boffins got the desired one-day headlines, but at remarkable cost.
New home approvals in June dropped 18.6% in Queensland, followed by decreases in South Australia of 12.2% and in Tasmania by 8.1%, according to figures released this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. There were 1,448 new detached homes approved in Queensland in June, according to the ABS.
Developers claim the mid-June announcement of the $10,000 Building Boost halted sales, threatening not only their cash-flow and also their capacity to embark on new projects.
It's not just the developers caught in the mess.
Builders, architects, estate agents, home ware retailers and so on all caught up in the seven-week-long ripple effect.
There was much exasperation when Property Observer correspondent Andrea Dixon spoke to the Master Builders Association of Queensland chief executive Graham Cuthbert, who says his association members are suffering record liquidations and losses.
“This is astonishing, since 7,000 houses experienced total inundation during the floods and 23,000 sustained water damage,” he says.
Of the 700 quotes the MBAQ prepared for flood-affected housing, only 20 contracts have gone ahead.
Cuthbert believes that the state government flood assistance cap of $80,000 for repairs was too low and people are doing what they can on the cheap and spending the majority of the money elsewhere.
“The government is not insisting the grants go toward a rebuild. People must be taking a holiday with the money, because our members are not getting the work,” Cuthbert says.
Even the fact that the $10,000 boost grant only runs until January 31, 2012 creates distortions and appears far too short a time frame for roll out of such importance.
Ill-considered government meddling with the property markets are nothing new.
NSW property investors will never forget the 2.25% vendors exit tax which last from June 2004 until August 2005.
The vendors tax initiative was potentially a great revenue funding idea – once the freeze on sales ever is defrosted  – but it required a national imposition, as one state going it alone cost NSW heavily to this day.
More recently the Keneally government decided it could coax NSW retirees into selling their oversized houses and downsizing to newly built residences, in a two-year plan aimed at boosting the new homes industry in the June 2010 budget.
It ignored the fact that the elderly generally don't like making complicated financial decisions. They don't want to leave their neighbourhoods and certainly not for greenfield developments. It ignored the fact that elderly are wary of off-the-plan, and perhaps even of new homes.
But the over-65s were being offered stamp duty savings up to $22,490 to encourage them to move into newly constructed houses and units, off-the-plan acquisitions, and house-and-land packages.
The senior downsizers will pay zero stamp duty on property purchases up to $600,000.
NSW Treasury expected between 1,000 and 2,000 seniors over 65 to take up the offer annually following its July 1, 2010 start date.
But just 249 retirees had taken up the stamp duty-saving initiative in its initial 10 months.
The scheme was billed as an Australian first by the then premier Kristina Keneally.
The incoming O'Farrell government has extended the scheme to people aged 55 years or older, which ought to increase the numbers marginally.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

State government initiatives cost the housing market dearly

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The 2261 postcode – on the Central Coast in New South Wales – dominates the list of the top 10 longest property listings produced by SQM Research.
The listings date back to 2008.
The listings are at Long Jetty and Magenta.
“SQM Research has explored this theme before and what we have found most interesting is that often the properties that have been sitting on the market the longest aren’t actually the most discounted,” says SQM director Louis Christopher.
“In fact, only one of the properties featured in the list has featured in our top 10 most discounted properties at Swan View.
“Most of the stale homes have only been discounted minimally if at all,” Christopher says.
Some of these properties might have been withdrawn temporarily and put back on the market at some point during the time they have been listed, he says.
“It’s almost considered common sense – not only to the astute investor that if your property is not selling after a considerable amount of time on the market, it may be a good idea to lower your asking price.
“When you have properties such as <a target="_blank" title="188 Liverpool ROad, Goolwa" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/SA/Goolwa-North/?adid=2006953157">188 Liverpool Road Goolwa</a>, which have been sitting on the market for over 1000 days yet only discounted by 16%, one can't help but feel very little sympathy for vendors who obviously can see that their current asking price isn't working for them and still refuse to bite the bullet and slash it,” Christopher says.
1
<a target="_blank" title="11 Ottiwell Street" href="&lt;http:/sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2007103693">11 Ottiwell Street, Woorim, QLD, 4507</a>
On the market since: April 19, 2008
Initial asking price: $560,000
Current asking price: $499,000
Reduction: 11%
Days on market: 1,192
 
<h2 style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">2</h2>
<h2 style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a target="_blank" title="188 Liverpool Road" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2006953157">188 Liverpool Road, Goolwa, SA, 5214</a></h2>
On the market since: April 24, 2008
Initial asking price: $950,000
Current asking price: $800,000
Reduction: 16%
Days on market: 1,187
 
<h2 style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">3</h2>
<a target="_blank" title="19 Wellington Street" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2007854879">19 Wellington Street, Oatlands, TAS, 7120</a>
On the market since: May 22, 2008
Initial asking price: $260,000
Current asking price: $205,000
Reduction: 21%
Days on market: 1,159
 
<h2 style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">4</h2>
<a target="_blank" title="1403 Magenta Drive" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2007162731">1403 Magenta Drive, Magenta, NSW, 2261</a>
On the market since: May 22, 2008
Initial asking price: $600,000
Current asking price: $535,000
Reduction: 11%
Days on market: 1,157
 
<h2 style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">5</h2>
<a target="_blank" title="290 Viveash Road" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2007193295" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;">290 Viveash Road, Swan View, WA, 6056</a>
On the market since: June 5, 2008
Initial asking price: $2.29 million
Current asking price: $1.5 million
Reduction: 34%
Days on market: 1,145
 
 
<h2 style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">6</h2>
<a target="_blank" title="4/57-59 Eloora Road" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2007886563">4/57-59 Eloora Road, Long Jetty, NSW, 2261</a>
On the market since: June 5, 2008
Initial asking price: $379,000
Current asking price: $340,000
Reduction: 10%
Days on market: 1,143
 
<h2 style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">7</h2>
<a target="_blank" title="1302 Birkdale Place" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2007217761">1302 Birkdale Place, Magenta, NSW, 2261</a>
On the market since: June 17, 2008
Initial asking price: $700,000
Current asking price: $500,000
Reduction: 29%
Days on market: 1,131
 
<h2 style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">8</h2>
<a target="_blank" title="15/57-59 Ocean Parade" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2007897626">15/57-59 Ocean Parade, The Entrance, NSW, 2261</a>
On the market since: June 19, 2008
Initial asking price: $289,000
Current asking price: $259,000
Reduction: 10%
Days on market: 1,129
 
<h2 style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">9</h2>
<a target="_blank" title="30 Charles Street" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2006717702">30 Charles Street, Triabunna, TAS, 7190</a>
On the market since: June 22, 2008
Initial asking price: $235,000
Current asking price: $195,000
Reduction: 17%
Days on market: 1,128
 
<h2 style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 18px; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino, 'Palatino Linotype', serif; line-height: 21px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">10</h2>
<a target="_blank" title="22 Beach Street" href="https://sqmresearch.com.au/homediscounts/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com.au%2FPublic%2FPropertyDetails.aspx%3Fadid%3D2006781491">22 Beach Street, White Beach, TAS, 7184</a>
On the market since: July 1, 2008
Initial asking price: $250,000
Current asking price: $195,000
Reduction: 22%
Days on market: 1,119
SQM Research also offers a list of the <a target="_blank" title="SQM Research" href="https://www.sqmresearch.com.au/top100bargains.php" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;">Top 100 Biggest Bargains in Australia </a>for sale.
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NSW Central Coast dominates top 10 longest property listings

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Vendors who list their properties through NSW agency Starr Partners will have the option of including a warranty to cover property and appliance repairs in the first 12 months of s sale.
The policy will cost $499, with vendors given the opportunity to opt in before settlement and transfer the warranty to the buyer’s name during settlement. Optional extras such as air conditoner and washing machine cover can be added at an additional cost.
Starr Partners is the first agency in Australia to offer this style of protection, which is already a $1.5 billion business in the US, according to Warranty Week.
The scheme is particurlar popular in the troubled California market, where buyers continue topurchase home warranties as part of existing home sales at a rate of approximately nine out of every 10 transactions.
Billy Jensen, president of the Home Warranty Association of California, attributes growth to the state’s home warranty industry to increased recognition that managing household expenses is paramount during a challenging economy.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/starraugust3.jpg">
Source: Warranty Week (US figures)
Starr Safeguard will cover a property’s major systems including electricals, plumbing, lock systems and minor roof damage as well as the major appliances (hot water system, stove, cooktop and dishwasher).
The launch of the cover follows a survey of 200 people by Starr Partners that found strong support for the concept.
Almost 90% of respondents said they were either concerned or very concerned about the ability to cover additional costs that might arise in your first year of ownership, and 97% said a warranty was either important or very important to making a purchase.
Nearly all respondents said a home warranty would be a benefit when buying a house.
Douglas Driscoll, Starr Partners CEO, says the warranty will fills the gap in the market. “Home and contents insurance can cover property damage due to flood or fire. Building inspections usually focus on the structure and building work. Starr Safeguard, on the other hand, covers single items that fail – for example, plumbing failures due to blockages by tree roots.”
Driscoll says vendors also benefit from home buyer cover giving buyers confidence and peace of mind that potential problems may be covered.
“It also covers the seller throughout the selling process. For instance, if a covered hot-water system blows just before the sale, Starr Safeguard will contribute to its repair or replacement,” he says.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Real estate agency introduces home buyers home warranty initiative

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/august3barnesy]}

Rock legend Jimmy Barnes and his wife, Jane, have listed their NSW Southern Highlands riverfront weekender, Riverbend, at Berrima with $2.5 million hopes.

The Barneses, who live in a Botany warehouse compound, just don’t make enough use of the sandstone house on 2,758 square metres, especially now that’s Jimmy’s back on the tour road.

The Berrima house cost the Cold Chisel frontman $1.85 million in 2008.

Gwen Meredith, the scriptwriter for Australia's longest-running and much-loved radio serial Blue Hills, once owned the property on the Wingecarribee River, a retreat from her Seaforth home, Braybrook.

It is located in a quiet setting just a short stroll from the historic village.

Listing agent Drew Lindsay at Drew Lindsay Bowral describes it as three solid sandstone pavilions linked by long covered verandas that jut over the river.

It features a renovated cook's kitchen, four bedrooms and bathrooms, a pool, a jetty, and stone walkways through established gardens.

Notably missing is a recording studio, a feature in Barnes' current Botany property and his earlier Southern Highland retreat.

<h2>Properties you may be interested in:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24323]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6912]
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Jimmy Barnes lists Highlands weekender on eve of Cold Chisel tour

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Sentiment towards property investment remains surprisingly strong, though potential investors are steering clear of Perth, according to a new survey.
Nearly two-thirds (59%) of the 2,200 investors and home buyers surveyed by Metropole Property Investment plan to buy an investment property over the next year.
Although Perth is the epicentre of the mining boom, investors appear unwilling to speculate on the WA capital, with only 9% expecting it to show good capital growth over the next two years.
<img src="/images/stories/yardneyaugust3.jpg">
According to Michael Yardney, founder of Metropole, investors are responding to the current poor market sentiment and are not willing to think long term.
“Perth has shown the least growth over the past 12 months. Investors are only interested in what has recently happened as opposed to what might happen in the future,” Yardney says.
“Most people miss the bottom of the market because they are waiting for the good news. They want certainty and comfort. There are too many mixed messages coming out of the market – they don’t want to speculate.”
According to ABS June quarter statistics, the values of established houses in Perth have dropped by 4.1% compared with the same quarter in 2010, the biggest drop of all capital city markets.
Seasonally adjusted data for June, released by RP Data-Rismark, shows the Perth housing market down 4.7% on the year, with a median price of $461,000.
Brisbane house prices are down by an even greater amount over this period, according to RP Data-Rismark (6.3%).
However, Metropole survey respondents are more optimistic about Queensland’s capital city, with 16% choosing it as the best place to invest.
Current market sentiment did not appear to factor in the minds of respondents when it came to Melbourne and Sydney.
The currently flat Sydney market is still seen as a safe bet by more than a quarter (28%) of respondents, while Melbourne came in a close second with 23% of the vote.
Melbourne was rated the weakest-performing capital city in the June quarter by RP Data-Rismark, with values down 2% compared with the same time last year. A similar decline was recorded in the ABS June quarter results.
Only 5% of respondents expect Adelaide property values to grow strongly over the next two years, with mining towns and regional towns equally unpopular.
Alongside the positive outlook for property investment, nearly a fifth of respondents plan to buy a new home in the next year.
The positive findings about property investment come despite 43% of respondents expecting property prices to fall over the next year, compared with only 27% who expected prices to fall when surveyed six months ago.
Yardney says the message from the survey is that despite all the negative message sentiment, many Australians are still keen to take advantage of the current market and buy their first homes, upgrade their current homes or buy investment properties. 
“And they’re willing to make sacrifices to ensure this happens.” 
The biggest concern of investors and buyers is obtaining finance, though this has fallen from 33% six months ago to 28% followed by economic uncertainty and negative cash flow. 
Metropole respondents said they were willing to make major lifestyle sacrifices (food, alcohol, day to day spending, buying a cheaper property) to get onto the property ladder, which concurs with the results of a survey by Mortgage Choice in July.
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Property investors still prospecting, but Perth's off the table

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A new development in the Brisbane suburb of Hamilton will challenge space-spoilt Queenslanders to live in cleverly designed smaller digs.
Foreshore House, being developed by Mirvac, comprises 263 one- and two-bedroom apartments, which range from 50 to 105 square metres.
“What Mirvac have done I think is quite different to what they usually produce in that the size will be smaller,” says Mirvac sales consultant Cecilynne Jurss. “They’re basically designing smaller units that are very liveable. They’re not compromising our quality in any way, but being clever in small space.”
The 145 one-bedroom apartments, which range in size from 50 to 58.5 square metres, begin at $345,000, and pricing for the 118 two-bedroom units, which range from 73 to 105 square metres, starts at $495,000.
Foreshore House will include a swimming pool and communal areas, and Mirvac Queensland chief executive Matthew Wallace says its design was inspired by the tony Soho House in London, which was founded in 1995.
“In the same way as Soho House operates, Foreshore House will be a sanctuary for residents and their families and guests, and in many ways provide an extension to their personal apartment’s living space,” Wallace told the Courier-Mail.
Jurss says the units in Foreshore House will appeal to both owner-occupiers and investors, but Mirvac is focusing on the local, rather than overseas, investor market.
“Rental markets continue to tighten resulting in improved yields for investors. This trend is likely to continue into the foreseeable future with vacancy rates remaining very low,” RP Data head of research Tim Lawless said at a Mirvac-sponsored forum before Hamilton’s launch.
“Unit markets have seen an upwards shift in demand levels as more buyers opt for medium- and high-density living.”
Jurss says the target demographic for Foreshore House ranges from young, single women through to couples with a child and retirees. She says the development will appeal to people who want “everything at their fingertips”, as the suburb of <a target="_blank" title="Hamilton" href="/news">Hamilton </a>has a range of entertainment and retail options.
Construction is expected to begin in January of next year, and is due to finish at the end of 2013.
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cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

New Brisbane development to offer small but 'clever' units

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The RBA has left interest rates on hold for the eighth straight meeting.
The cash rate remains at 4.75%. It was last raised by 25 basis points in November last year.
Before the decision, economists were split over whether the central bank would raise interest rates following higher-than-forecast CPI figures for the June quarter.
Annual inflation currently stands at 3.6%, outside of the RBA’s target band of between 2% and 3%.
Concerns over continued economic woes in Europe and the US were factors identified as inhibiting a rate rise.
The Australian dollar hardly changed in response to the news, trading at $1.097 off a day high of $1.10.
A statement by RBA governor Glenn Stevens following today’s decision revealed that global concerns outweighed domestic inflation worries.
“At today's meeting, the board considered whether the recent information warranted further policy tightening. On balance, the Board judged that it was prudent to maintain the current setting of monetary policy, particularly in view of the acute sense of uncertainty in global financial markets over recent weeks. In future meetings, the board will continue to assess carefully the evolving outlook for growth and inflation,” Stevens says.
Stevens says downside risks to the global economy have increased, however, as concerns have grown over the outlook for the public finances of both Europe and the United States.
On the issue of inflation, Stevens said year-ended CPI inflation has been high, affected by the extreme weather events earlier in the year.
“As these effects reverse over the next couple of quarters, CPI inflation should decline. But measures that give a better indication of the trend in inflation have begun to rise over the past six months, after declining for the previous two years. While they have, to date, remained consistent with the 2 to 3% target on a year-ended basis, the board remains concerned about the medium-term outlook for inflation,” he says.
Commenting on the RBA’s decision, RP Data national research director Tim Lawless says Australians have become very interest rate-sensitive, a fact that can be seen in the low number of transactions across the housing market and weak growth in retail spending.
“At a time when inflation has risen outside of the RBA’s comfort zone we also have a situation where consumers simply aren’t spending and are lacking confidence. The stability in interest rates over the past nine months would have been welcomed by many mortgage holders, however speculation about future rate lifts is likely to continue to dampen market conditions anyway,” he says.
The RBA’s decision to keep rates on hold follows ABS data that reveals the magnitude of house price falls as well as the continued deterioration of the home building sector.
House prices have fallen by 1.9% across capital city markets for the year to June 2011, with the biggest falls in Perth and Brisbane, while home building approvals fell to a two-year low in June 2011.
The seasonally adjusted estimate for total dwellings approved fell 3.5% following a fall of 6.3% in the previous month, according to ABS figures.
“Evidence continues to mount of an accelerated deterioration in new home building conditions,” says HIA chief economist Harley Dale.
“That situation highlights the appropriateness of continued steady interest rates, the need for stimulus to arrest the new housing decline, and the importance of reform at the October Tax Forum to remove the excessive taxation levied on new residential construction,” Dale says.
Westpac said building approvals were significantly weaker than expected in June, with surprising weakness noted in Queensland.
“They are now 19.6% lower since December - a surprise given that initial falls were mainly due to disruptions from weather events in January to February that were expected to see a significant bounce mid-year as activity returned to normal in affected areas and rebuilding activity came through,” says Julie Doel from Westpac Economics.
“Instead, approvals recorded a partial revival in March (+8.1% for the month) but have moved steadily lower since. Some of this may be because of approval waivers for post-flood rebuilds in parts of Queensland.”
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RBA keeps rates on hold for eighth straight month

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Property prices continue to fall as preliminary estimates show that the price index for established houses for the eight capital cities decreased 1.9% in the year to June quarter 2011.
Annually house prices decreased in Perth by 4.1%, Brisbane by 3.6%, Darwin by 3.0%, Adelaide by 2.1%, Melbourne by 2%, and Sydney by 0.7%.
The only two cities to record a rise were Hobart, where prices rose 2.8% and Canberra, where prices rose 2.2%.
In the June quarter the price index for established houses for the eight capital cities decreased 0.1%.
The capital city to decrease for the quarter were Perth, -1.0%, Adelaide -0.8%, Brisbane -0.3%, Melbourne -0.1%, Darwin -1.6%, and Hobart -0.1%.
Sydney prices were up 0.4% for the quarter, and Canberra’s prices were up 1.1% in the June quarter, the only two capital cities to record rises.
Westpac notes the official ABS measure of house prices was somewhat surprisingly more stable than private sector measures in the June quarter.
With prices down 1.9% for the year, it was a touch better than most private sector measures.
“The ABS index is not our preferred benchmark for prices or price inflation as it is prone to revision, only covers detached homes and often exaggerates price swings when there are compositional shifts,” Westpac says.
“Private sector measures suggest prices were a touch soggier in the June quarter with declines of between 0.6% quarter and 1.7% quarter.
“The variation across capital cities was consistent with private sector measures,” it notes.
Westpac notes that previous estimates had been revised.
The national index showed a 1.1% fall in the March quarter revised from the preliminary 1.7% fall published previously.
Monique Sasson Wakelin, managing director of property investment advisors Wakelin Property Advisory, says the index for the June quarter was further evidence that the dire predictions of a rout in property prices in 2011 had not occurred.
“Taking the capital cities together, property prices have fallen just 1.9 per cent over the last 12 months,” Sasson Wakelin says.
“After all the talk of ‘bubbles bursting’, a ‘collapse in prices’ and the ‘market in peril,’ we can see that nothing of the sort has happened. Rather, property prices have softened mildly in the last 12 months after a strong run in 2009 and early 2010.”
The latest ABS data reinforces evidence of a slightly softer market emanating from the commercial data providers, according to Sasson Wakelin.
“There is a great similarity between the results coming out ABS, RP Data, Residex and Australian Property Monitors. They are all reporting a small annual fall in national or capital cities prices of somewhere between 1 and 2%.”
 <table style="width: 470px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="109" valign="top">
Provider
</td>
<td width="184" valign="top">
Quarterly change
</td>
<td width="304" valign="top">
12-month change
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="109" valign="top">
ABS
</td>
<td width="184" valign="top">
-0.1%
</td>
<td width="304" valign="top">
-1.9%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="109" valign="top">
RP Data Rismark
</td>
<td width="184" valign="top">
-0.90%
</td>
<td width="304" valign="top">
-2.00%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="109" valign="top">
Residex
</td>
<td width="184" valign="top">
-0.83%
</td>
<td width="304" valign="top">
-1.19%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="109" valign="top">
Australian Property Monitors
</td>
<td width="184" valign="top">
-0.80%
</td>
<td width="304" valign="top">
-2.00%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="109" valign="top">
Average of four reports
</td>
<td width="184" valign="top">
-0.66%
</td>
<td width="304" valign="top">
-1.77%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: Wakelin Property Advisory
Sasson Wakelin says she hopes the recent data might give the property debate a less shrill tone. “There have been a few commentators out there who have enjoyed their Chicken Little role, predicting that the sky is falling in on property. It is not and less sensationalism from these parties would be a more credible position.”
“I anticipate the market will continue to track sideways until at least the end of 2011. Unless a major hike in interest rates or a GFC Mark II materialises, I expect this stability will underpin confidence and possibly give prices a lift in 2012 off the back of strengthening demand. Smart investors and first home buyers should be seizing the current opportunity.”
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House prices continue to fall in June quarter

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Australia's dollar may be considered high compared with other countries, but that hasn't dampened overseas investors, who are clamouring to buy up our commercial property.
And this only serves to confirm Australia's "safe-haven status", being closely aligned with the Asian region.
During the 1970s, it was UK property companies that dominated the Australian commercial scene. Then Japan led the boom period during the 1980s. And it was southeast Asia that mopped up the aftermath, throughout the 1990s.
This time around, there is a spread of buyers — coming from the US, Asia and Europe. And Australia appears to be appealing to each of these investors for different reasons.
According to David Rees (head of JLL Research): "For US and European investors, Australia is an easy way into Asia-Pacific; for Asian investors it is an easy way out [of the region] into more transparent, well-regulated markets."
Principally, the buyers for Australian property are coming from the Asian region — cashed-up pension and property funds. However, there has also been strong interest by US and German investors as well.
Currently, these purchases represent about 10% to 15% of the market by value. And this is being seen as a long-term (rather than short-term) trend.
According to DTZ, in 2010 property investment within the Asia-Pacific region topped $158 billion for the first time — more than all of the investment undertaken throughout Europe.
Bottom Line: Even if some local investors are being overly cautious, overseas buyers realise the Australian commercial property market has now begun what will prove to be a strong upswing.
Chris Lang is a commercial property investor and gives keynote speeches and regular seminars on the best way to invest in commercial property. He maintains a blog, <a style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;" href="https://his-best.biz/" title="Chris Lang's blog" target="_blank">his-best.biz</a>, which he updates regularly about the best way to get the most out of your commercial property investment.
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