<p>Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.</p>

<p>The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.</p>

<p>The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.</p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.</p>

<p>The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" /></p>

<p>SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.</p>

<p>“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.</p>

<p>The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.</p>

<p>“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" /></p>

<p>The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.</p>

<p>Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.</p>

<p>The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.</p>

<p>COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" /></p>

<p>“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.</p>

<p>The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.</p>

<p>The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.</p>

<p>Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.</p>

<p><em>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a></em></p>


Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.</p>

<p>The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.</p>

<p>The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" /></p>

<p>Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.</p>

<p>SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”</p>

<p>The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" /></p>

<p>The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.</p>

<p>A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.</p>

<p>Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.</p>

<p><img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" /></p>

<p>The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.</p>

<p>Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.</p>

<p>The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.</p>


First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

<p>Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."</p>

<p>Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;</p>


Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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<p data-end="157" data-start="0">The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.</p>

<p data-end="459" data-start="159"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.</p>

<p data-end="459" data-start="159">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]</p>

<p data-end="651" data-start="461"><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.</p>

<p data-end="950" data-start="653">Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.</p>

<p data-end="1081" data-start="952">“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.</p>

<p data-end="1081" data-start="952">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]</p>

<p data-end="1307" data-start="1083">Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.</p>

<p data-end="1522" data-start="1309">The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.</p>

<p data-end="1522" data-start="1309">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]</p>

<p data-end="1714" data-start="1524">Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.</p>

<p data-end="1945" data-start="1716">The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.</p>

<p data-end="1945" data-start="1716">[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]</p>

<p data-end="2220" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="" data-start="1947">More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.</p>
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<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]</p>


SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

<p data-end="320" data-start="79">Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.</p>

<p data-end="638" data-start="322">The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.</p>

<p data-end="864" data-start="640">Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]</p>

<p>Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."</p>

<p>“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.</p>

<p>“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”</p>

<p>[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]</p>

<p>The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.</p>

<p>“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.</p>

<p>[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]</p>


Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

<p>Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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).</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

<p>To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:</p>

<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>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.</p>


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

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<p>Ever since the global financial crisis hit there has been an upsurge in self-managed super funds (SMSFs), as many managed super funds recorded big losses, along with people's hard-earned retirement savings.</p>
<p>Super funds invest in income-bearing vehicles with the goal of producing investments that their members or beneficiaries can retire comfortably on, however they tend to charge fees and make the investment decisions. While many may not know it, these same goals can be achieved (and sometimes more effectively) by managing one’s own super fund.</p>
<p>Managing one’s own super fund allows the beneficiary to take control of where funds are invested, be it in managed funds, share-related investments, bank or term deposits or property, making self-managed super funds the ideal vehicle to build retirement wealth, especially through property.</p>
<p>Property investing is the backbone of most successful funds, and when it comes to managing your own super fund, the same holds true. Making it even more attractive is the fact your personal SMSF can invest in both residential property and in commercial property – even the premises that house your own business.</p>
<p>For those who need assistance to set up or manage their own SMSF, there are numerous services and consultants that can help with establishing and auditing an SMSF. These range from online services and financial advisories to specialist firms.</p>
<p>Most people’s real wealth is created directly or indirectly through or via property.  So why put your hard-earned cash under someone else’s control when we can help you set up a SMSF and  put your hard-earned cash in solid foundations of bricks and mortar?</p>
<p>With one in five Australian households owning an investment property, it’s surprising that less than 4% have used their superannuation to buy one. This means that many people are missing out on the great opportunity to invest in direct property using their super fund. Imagine selling your investment property in retirement, say in 10, 20 or 30 years’ time, and not having to pay any capital gains tax.</p>
<p>Superannuation is an effective way for Australians to invest, and it is taxed at 15% only. Capital gains tax is 10% if the investment is held for more than 12 months or nothing  if sold in pension phase. There is nothing outside of superannuation that can compete with this favourable environment. On the back of these parameters, a superannuation strategy with property becomes one of the best investment options available to Australian’s today.</p>
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<p>Properties held in super could have strong cashflow models because up to four members can pool their employer contributions into the one investment fund.</p>
<p>No doubt, property investing in personal names outside of super is already a lucrative strategy, however doing the same with a SMSF is like turbo-charging your investment. SMSF loans are paid down much faster, there is almost no drag on returns the investment can also be leveraged to maximise future upside value.</p>
<p>While saving on fees that usually apply to managed funds is an obvious benefit, it’s the ability to control the investments in one’s SMSF that has motivated many Australians to take charge of their own super fund. With your own SMSF, you will have full control and flexibility with regard to your investment choices. And, additional contributions to one’s SMSF such as wage sacrifice will reduce tax payable on income and increase the investment power of the fund.</p>
<p>Generally, there is no set minimum balance that a super fund needs to have in order to be self managed, but one rule of thumb is that your balance should be greater than $50 000 to $100 000. In other words, the cost of managing, auditing and administrating a SMSF should be in proportion to the balance.</p>
<p>Establishing a SMSF can be a great vehicle to build a property portfolio that enjoys considerably lower taxation while offering greater flexibility and the scope to create wealth for retirement on solid foundations.</p>
<p><i><strong>Robert Projeski</strong> is a leading property finance expert and the founder and managing director of <a href="https://%20www.amo.com.au" target="_blank">Australian Mortgage Options</a>. He has appeared on radio and TV and written extensively on property and finance matters.</i></p>
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Self-managed super the ideal vehicle to build wealth through property investment

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<em>Property Observer</em> eBook:<br>How is your residential property portfolio performing?</h1>
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<p>Residential property investors have powerful incentives to regularly check how their investments are performing.</p>
<p>It can be a costly mistake to wait until the end of a financial year to assess whether your property portfolio needs a shake-up.</p>
<p>A smart move is to regularly review your property investment arrangements to ensure that your portfolio is producing the best possible after-tax rental returns and is well positioned to achieve your target capital growth over the long-term.</p>
<img class="event_image" src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/events/ebooks/hsbc_ebook2_cover_220.png" alt="Free eBook: 12 old-fashioned gems of wisdom for modern-day property investment" title="Free eBook: 12 old-fashioned gems of wisdom for modern-day property investment"><h3>In this eBook, you will read answers to the key questions residential property investors should be asking themselves, including:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Are my financing arrangements<br>as competitive as possible?</li>
<li>Is my tax planning in excellent<br> shape?</li>
<li>Is my property maintenance <br>falling behind?</li>
<li>Is my property manager <br>doing a good job?</li>
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Free eBook: How is your residential property portfolio performing?

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<p>2012 has been a challenging year, that’s why <em>realestateview.com.au</em> is proud to partner with <em>Property Observer</em> to bring this special free eBook to our readers.</p>
<p><em>Property Observer</em> put a straightforward question to leading real estate agents and property industry observers: what practical strategies should agents adopt to sell more resi­dential property?</p>
<p>We hope this eBook, written by veteran personal finance and property journalist Michael Laurence, can help give your sales a much-needed boost in the months ahead during spring 2012.</p>
<p>- Jonathan Chancellor, Editor, <em>Property Observer</em></p>
<img src="/images/events/ebooks/sc_ebook_rev_spring2012.png" class="event_image" alt="Free eBook: 50 smart tips for real estate agents to sell more&lt;/br&gt; in a tough 2012" title="Free eBook: 50 smart tips for real estate agents to sell more in a tough 2012"><h3>In this eBook you will learn:</h3>
<ul>
<li>The importance of pricing <br>properties for the current market</li>
<li>How to find clients and keep them </li>
<li>The best selling techniques for <br>today’s marketplace</li>
<li>Tips from experts including<br> Paul Clitheroe, Scott Pape, Vicki<br>Laing and many more</li>
<li>How to cut costs in your marketing <br>– and secure the best price</li>
</ul>
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Free eBook: 50 smart tips for real estate agents to sell more in spring 2012

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<h1 align="center">FREE eBook "Auction or Private Treaty? Plus 9 Spring 2012 Selling Tips"</h1>
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<div class="event_form_box_gray_container">Each weekday Property Observer delivers to subscribers the best property news, advice and analysis on Australia's residential and commercial property markets.</div>
<div class="event_form_box_gray_bottom"> </div>
</div>
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<p>No selling season is ever the same. This spring, against the backdrop of an oversupply in unsold stock, more sellers and their estate agents are considering selling by private sale rather than by auction.</p>
<p>This eBook notes the importance of intending sellers working with their estate agents to select the best sales method for their home.</p>
<p>The eBook highlights the arguments for both methods to assist in the selection of the best marketing recommendation for vendors.</p>
<p><img class="event_image" src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/events/ebooks/po_200w_ebook_spring2012.png" alt="Tools for getting through the hotspot tipping maze" title="Tools for getting through the hotspot tipping maze"></p>
<p><strong>Also featured in this eBook are nine timeless pieces of property wisdom for spring selling and buying, including:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Keeping your target<br>market in mind</li>
<li>Listing your property<br>early to beat the <br>pre-Christmas rush</li>
<li>Choosing the right <br>agent to suit your needs</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br class="clr"><div class="cta">
<h3>Sign up now to the Property Observer newsletter for your free eBook - Auction or Private Treaty? Plus 9 Spring 2012 Selling Tips</h3>
</div>
<div class="disc" style="background-image: url('https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/templates/events/images/standout/jchancellor.png');">
<h3>What is Property Observer?</h3>
<p>Property Observer is Australia's number one property investment website for investors and savvy buyers, featuring property news, property information, market forecasts and expert commentary and analysis.</p>
<p>Every day, we provide authoritative coverage about the homes we live in and the investments we make.</p>
<p>We deliver to readers the best property news, advice and analysis from Australia's residential and commercial property markets.</p>
<p>Our industry leading experts deliver wisdom on winning ways in property and provide the fundamental knowledge you need to play the property game.</p>
<p>The site is published by Private Media, an internet publishing company that is owned by some of Australia's most experienced media practitioners including Eric Beecher, Amanda Gome, John Addis, Chong Weng-Ho and James Thomson.</p>
<p><strong>Property Observer was co-founded by Jonathan Chancellor</strong></p>
</div>
<div class="p_cta">
<p>"I have been writing about property for more than 25 years, and I've learnt that getting passionate about property is easy. Getting it right is trickier. I intend for Property Observer to be property central, providing the essential news and analysis on the ins and outs of property. We will cover the capital cities, up and down the coast, and inland to the regional towns and the bush.</p>
<p>We will offer plenty of authoritative coverage about the homes we live in and the investments that top up our incomes.</p>
<p>Property Observer will showcase the best houses and apartments and all the big-name buyers and sellers. We will also keep a watchful eye on new developments, and the plush over-55 developments that seek out the growing band of empty nesters."</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/about-us" target="_blank" title="Property Observer">Read more...</a></p>
<p>Jonathan Chancellor, Editor, Property Observer</p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
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Free eBook: Auction or Private Treaty? Plus 9 Spring 2012 Selling Tips

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<p>All members of a self-managed super fund must be trustees and legislation only allows a maximum of four people in an SMSF. With a sole member fund you need a family member to sit alongside you. If this is not practical you can have a company as a trustee and be the only shareholder and director. There are many other reasons why a corporate trustee is recommended over individuals including:</p>
<ol>
<li>
<b>Administrative:</b> When members come in or out (including death), there is a need to change bank account and other asset ownership details, which can be expensive and time-consuming and is not necessary with a company. </li>
<li>
<b>Lump sum payments</b> can only occur with a company trustee. </li>
<li>
<b>Asset protection:</b> While super is protected a pension may not be. But with a company a lump sum can be paid, which is protected in bankrupcy. </li>
<li>
<b>Power of attorney:</b> A legal personal representative can be put in place if the member is incapacitated without changing members’ details.</li>
<li>
<b>Most banks require a corporate trustee if the fund is borrowing to purchase property</b>.</li>
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<p>With multiple members we would recommend that the SMSF and company be written in such a way as to give the directors and therefore memebers proportional voting rights to ensure people with higher balances are not taken advantage of by members with low balances, as the case is normally – one person, one vote.</p>
<p><em><strong>Ken Raiss </strong>is a certified accountant and director of <a title="Chan &amp; Naylor " href="https://www.chan-naylor.com.au/" target="_self">Chan &amp; Naylor</a> national accounting firm. Chan &amp; Naylor offers a free five-minute question-and-answer session on its website under the<a href="https://www.chan-naylor.com.au/ask-the-experts/" target="_blank"> "Ask the Experts" section.</a></em></p>
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Why self-managed superannuation funds should have corporate trustees

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<p>APRA  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apra.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx">recently revealed</a> that the Australian superannuation industry lost $18.5 billion of its clients’ money in the last financial year. </p>
<p>It’s been a tough year for all types of investments, so let’s look at the returns over the longer term. </p>
<p>They’re not much better. </p>
<p>Apparently the average rate of return from the superannuation industry over the last 15 years  (between 1997 and June 2012) was 4.9% a year, and this came with a volatility of 8.4%. </p>
<p>Not a very good return considering that for most of that time you could have invested in government bonds with minimum risk and received a divided of over 5% and the average return from the All Ordinaries accumulation index for the past 15 years has been 7.03% per annum.</p>
<p><strong>Reality Check</strong></p>
<p>A recent <a href="https://www.rabobank.com.au/Pages/new.aspx">Rabobank poll</a> showed that baby boomers are retiring, on average, on about $200,000. <b> </b></p>
<p>While most folks don’t know how much they need in retirement, it’s generally accepted by the financial planning world that you need around $1 million in retirement to live comfortably.</p>
<p>By the way, I think you need much, much more!</p>
<p>The way planners see it is that, assuming you live in retirement for 15 years with no extra income, $1 million would give you an annual income of around $65,000.</p>
<p>So you can see retiring on $200,000 simply won’t cut it.</p>
<p>Little wonder that more and more baby boomers are looking at taking control of their financial future and setting up self-managed super funds (SMSF).</p>
<p><strong>What’s are our options?</strong></p>
<p>If these facts teach us anything, it is that it’s up to each of us to become financially fluent and take charge of our future. </p>
<p>More baby boomers are setting up their own self-managed super funds and taking their destiny in their hands. Many are investing in shares, but more and more are investing in property. As a matter of fact I have a mixture of both in my super fund.</p>
<p>But my personal preference is for property, largely due to the fact that residential real estate has proven itself to be less volatile than shares or managed funds. </p>
<p>Combining the security of bricks and mortar with the tax office changing superannuation regulations back in 2007 so that people can borrow within their own SMSFs, it is not surprisingly that real estate is becoming an increasingly popular super fund cash cow. </p>
<p>Fact is more and more Australians are recognising the benefits of property as a strong, stable asset base for their super funds, given its ability to generate excellent returns and capital gains over the long term. </p>
<p>Now, not only can you borrow up to 70% (and under certain circumstances even up to 80%) of a property’s value to invest within your SMSF, you can also seek extra funds to make improvements on the residential properties in your SMSF (with some conditions of course and with special emphasis on repair and maintenance versus improvements). </p>
<p>So what are the main advantages and disadvantages of taking this tact when it comes to building your own retirement nest egg? </p>
<p><b>The good</b></p>
<ul>
<li>
<i>Control</i> – you have complete control over your SMSF      rather than entrusting your future financial wellbeing to a complete      stranger, who will take your hard-earned cash and invest it in shares and      managed funds that may or may not perform.</li>
<li>
<i>Tax savings</i> – If you buy and hold the property within your      fund until you retire and your super goes into the pension phase, you will      be exempt from paying either capital gains tax if you sell the investment,      or income tax on any rental income should you decide to hang onto it.      Before you retire, any capital gains or rental income generated by your      SMSF are taxed at a rate of 15%, or 10% CGT is applicable if you hold onto      the property for over a year.</li>
<li>You could have a <i>diversified investment portfolio</i> that is not reliant on just one investment vehicle, meaning you will have      better financial security for your future. </li>
</ul>
<p><b>The bad</b></p>
<ul>
<li>
<i>The cost</i> – There can be a significant cost in initially      setting up your super fund, and the annual compliance costs could be up to      a few thousand dollars. But don’t forget the management fees you’re saving      by not leaving your money with a fund manager.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<i>Higher borrowing costs</i> – Currently there are slightly higher fees      involved in borrowing to buy property through your SMSF.</li>
<li>
<i>The confusion –</i> There’s no denying that managing your own super      fund can be a minefield of complicated rules and regulations. Get      something wrong and you could end up paying hefty penalties. Of course,      you can always pay a professional to manage it on your behalf, and this is      something I would advise anyone with an SMSF to do – whether they’re      buying real estate or not.</li>
<li>
<i>The money – </i> You      generally need a bigger deposit to buy a property in your super fund than      you need to buy one in your personal name. How much you need will also      depend on the amount of your super contributions. This is not a strategy      for someone with a small amount of cash in their super. </li>
</ul>
<p><b>Be careful</b></p>
<p>Of course before you go down the route of setting up your own SMSF, it is critical to seek independent advice from a properly qualified financial planner and to ensure you set up things correctly so you don’t fall afoul of the tax man. </p>
<p>With 5.3 million baby boomers moving transitioning into retirement over the next 15 years or so, I see properties bought in a SMSF as a major driver of property values over the next decade.</p>
<p><b><i>Michael Yardney</i></b><i> is the director of <a target="_blank" 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 target="_blank" href="https://propertyupdate.com.au/category/property-investment/"> Property Investment Update blog.</a></i></p>
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How investing in property through a self-managed super fund can help you retire comfortably

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<p>The cautious approach adopted by self-managed super funds (SMSFs) considering investing in residential property is the right one, according to Shane Oliver, head of investment strategy and chief economist at AMP Capital Investors.</p>
<p>Oliver, one of the more cautious economists commenting on the housing market, says most investors have sensed that the property market’s has already done its 20-year dash of solid growth.</p>
<p>Oliver says the last time property was a smart investment was in the early to mid-1990s, when investors would have probably seen a three- to four-fold increases in the value of their property investments.</p>
<p>He says it is possible for SMSFs to find an investment property worth buying, but it requires them doing a lot of homework and research.</p>
<p>In a recent investment report looking at which investments offered a decent yield in the current market of declining interest rates, Oliver was not upbeat about returns from residential property investments.<br><br>He says the boom over the last 20 years has resulted in yields of just 3.7% on houses and 4.7% on apartments, before taking into account the costs of investing.<br><br>Net yields, once costs have been taken into account, are just 1% for houses and 2.3% for apartments, says Oliver.</p>
<p>Oliver's gloomy outlook comes as figures from SMSF advisory firm Dixon Advisory show that only about 5% the firm’s 4,500 DIY super clients have used limited recourse borrowing rules to include property in their portfolio, reported the <em>Australian Financial Review.</em></p>
<p>However, Oliver has toned down his sentiments about the degree to which residential property in Australia is overvalued.</p>
<p>In a video update on the housing market in July, Oliver said that a few years back AMP was saying that houses were overvalued by as much as 30% but “the degree of overvaluation has come down, particularly over the last couple of years”.</p>
<p>Now he says they are 10% to 15% overvalued.</p>
<p>“We have very expensive housing in Australia relative to the US and UK, which have seen sharp adjustments in recent years."</p>
<p>However, Oliver says a key difference between Australia and the US is that the US had a housing boom at the same time as a supply boom so as prices started to fall it was made worse by the new supply stream.</p>
<p>“Australia has not seen that – for the last decade we have been under-building, which shows up in our very low rental vacancy rates and the upward pressure on rents."</p>
<p>This, he says, will put a floor under prices.</p>
<p>Oliver says that over the very long term property and shares have offered similar returns to investors – around 11% per annum – which suggests investors should hold both in their portfolios.</p>
<p>According to Tim Coates,  property investment adviser with Dixon Advisory, in addition to requiring special borrowing arrangements, SMSFs need a  plan to pay off their investment property.</p>
<p>Coates says such decisions to invest in property could be affected by the government reducing the tax concessional contribution limits from $50,000 to $25,000.</p>
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SMSFs are right to be cautious on investing in property: AMP’s Shane Oliver

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<div><center><img alt="Lend Lease has created something new for Melbourne – Studio Nine Richmond." src="/images/marketing/ebooks/updated-studio-nine-header.gif" style="width: 870px; max-width: 870px;" width="870"></center></div>
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<p>Lend Lease has created something new for Melbourne – Studio Nine Richmond.</p>
<img style="padding: 0 0 20px 20px; float: right;" title="Studio Nine Richmond" alt="Studio Nine Richmond" class="event_image" src="/images/marketing/ebooks/studio-nine-ebook-cover.jpg" width="150"><p>Lend Lease has created something new for Melbourne – Studio Nine Richmond.</p>
<p>The master-planned community will pay homage to its iconic industrial and broadcast past while embracing the cutting-edge designs and sustainable features of tomorrow.</p>
<p>The development will include heritage and contemporary apartments and townhouses, all in keeping with the vibrant and diverse surroundings of Richmond. </p>
<p><strong>In this eBook, you will learn:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>About Studio Nine’s past, present and future. </li>
<li>Its environmental impact and its engagement with its community.  </li>
<li>About the current and future state of the property market in Richmond and the generous amenities this popular suburb offers for residents. </li>
<li>We will also shine a spotlight on one of Melbourne’s largest and most exciting inner city master-planned communities as it takes shape.</li>
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Free eBook: Studio Nine Richmond

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<h1 style="font-size: 20px;">Free eBook: Investing outside the square<br>                         10 smart alternative property investments</h1>
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<p>One in seven Australian taxpayers has an investment property of some kind, with the overwhelming majority of these owning one rental house or unit, according to the Australian Taxation Office.</p>
<p>But traditional house or unit investment properties don’t suit everyone.</p>
<p>In this eBook we provide 10 smart alternative property investments, from car parks to serviced apartments, holiday accommodation to granny flats.</p>
<img class="event_image" src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/events/ebooks/quest_ebook_investing-outsi.png" alt="Investing outside the square" title="Investing outside the square"><h3>In this eBook you will find:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Information on the National <br>Rental Affordability Scheme.</li>
<li>Advice from RP Data-Residex Daily <br>and the Home Value Index.</li>
<li>A good place to start for suggestions<br> for investment opportunities you had <br>not yet considered.</li>
</ul>
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Free eBook: Investing outside the square

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<h1 align="center">FREE eBook "Tools for getting through the hotspot tipping maze"</h1>
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<div class="event_form_box_gray_container">Each weekday Property Observer delivers to subscribers the best property news, advice and analysis on Australia's residential and commercial property markets.</div>
<div class="event_form_box_gray_bottom"> </div>
</div>
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<p>There is no shortage of hotspot lists.</p>
<p>Too many Australians buy property armed with nothing more than poorly understood clichés. The challenge for property investors is to buy in an upwards cycle ahead of the pack, but it's not easy.</p>
<p><em>Property Observer's</em> experts will guide your thinking and provide principles and tools to help you beat the investment herd. Experts include valuation firm WBP, Metropole Property Investment Strategists, and the latest research compiled by RP Data.</p>
<p><strong>Learn how to navigate the hotspot tipping maze with this eBook:</strong></p>
<p><img class="event_image" src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/events/ebooks/200w_po_hotspot_cover.png" alt="Tools for getting through the hotspot tipping maze" title="Tools for getting through the hotspot tipping maze"></p>
<ul>
<li>Top principles for picking the next investment hotspot from industry experts.</li>
<li>Developing an analysis framework for choosing a property that represents good value.</li>
<li>How to do your own research on touted hotspots in metro, regional and mining locations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br class="clr"><div class="cta">
<h3>Sign up now to the Property Observer newsletter for your free eBook on tools for getting through the hotspot tipping maze</h3>
</div>
<div class="disc" style="background-image: url('https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/templates/events/images/standout/jchancellor.png');">
<h3>What is Property Observer?</h3>
<p>Property Observer is Australia's number one property investment website for investors and savvy buyers, featuring property news, property information, market forecasts and expert commentary and analysis.</p>
<p>Every day, we provide authoritative coverage about the homes we live in and the investments we make.</p>
<p>We deliver to readers the best property news, advice and analysis from Australia's residential and commercial property markets.</p>
<p>Our industry leading experts deliver wisdom on winning ways in property and provide the fundamental knowledge you need to play the property game.</p>
<p>The site is published by Private Media, an internet publishing company that is owned by some of Australia's most experienced media practitioners including Eric Beecher, Marina Go, John Addis, and Chong Weng-Ho.</p>
<p><strong>Property Observer was co-founded by Jonathan Chancellor</strong></p>
</div>
<div class="p_cta">
<p>"I have been writing about property for more than 25 years, and I've learnt that getting passionate about property is easy. Getting it right is trickier. I intend for Property Observer to be property central, providing the essential news and analysis on the ins and outs of property. We will cover the capital cities, up and down the coast, and inland to the regional towns and the bush.</p>
<p>We will offer plenty of authoritative coverage about the homes we live in and the investments that top up our incomes.</p>
<p>Property Observer will showcase the best houses and apartments and all the big-name buyers and sellers. We will also keep a watchful eye on new developments, and the plush over-55 developments that seek out the growing band of empty nesters."</p>
<p><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/about-us" target="_blank" title="Property Observer">Read more...</a></p>
<p>Jonathan Chancellor, Editor, Property Observer</p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
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