<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
</main>

Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

Sydney’s property market is known for high prices, competitive bidding, and mounting pressure on first home buyers. But change is on the horizon.

From late 2025, eligible first home buyers in New South Wales will have access to a new federal government initiative aimed at addressing affordability: the Help to Buy Scheme.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

The program introduces a shared equity model intended to reduce the upfront cost of entering the property market, particularly in high-demand urban areas such as Sydney.

The scheme operates under a shared ownership structure in which the federal government takes an equity stake of up to 40 per cent for new homes, or 30 per cent for existing dwellings. This arrangement allows eligible buyers to significantly reduce their loan size and avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Under this model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required. The government’s contribution is not a loan but a co-ownership stake in the property. As such, there is no interest or rent charged on its portion.

Because the government’s equity combined with the buyer’s deposit typically meets or exceeds the 20 per cent threshold, LMI does not apply. The remaining balance, generally between 60 and 70 per cent of the property’s value, is financed through a standard home loan with a participating lender.

The government's equity in the property remains in place until the buyer chooses to repay it voluntarily or until the property is sold. Buyers can buy back the government’s share over time, in increments of at least five per cent, depending on their financial situation.

There is no fixed repayment timeline, but the amount to be repaid will be based on the property's market value at the time of repayment, not the original purchase price.

<h2>How do you qualify for the&nbsp;Help to Buy Scheme?</h2>

To qualify for the Help to Buy Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

<ul>
	<li>Be an Australian citizen at least 18 years of age.</li>
	<li>Be a first-home buyer who does not currently own property.</li>
	<li>Intend to live in the property as their primary residence.</li>
	<li>Earn less than $100,000 per year for individuals, or $160,000 for couples.</li>
	<li>Purchase a property within the regional price caps, currently $950,000 in Sydney, though this is expected to rise to approximately $1.3 million ahead of the program’s launch.</li>
</ul>

While the Help to Buy Scheme does not solve affordability challenges across the board, it does offer a more accessible pathway for a defined segment of the market, particularly younger buyers with moderate incomes who have been priced out of traditional lending routes.

The scheme is expected to commence in NSW in late 2025, as part of a national rollout.

Under the new model, purchasers can enter the property market with as little as a two per cent deposit, well below the traditional 10 to 20 per cent usually required

Help to Buy Scheme: What first home buyers in NSW need to know

The First Home Owners Grant (FHOG) is a government initiative designed to help eligible first-time home buyers by offering financial assistance towards the purchase or construction of a new home.

While the FHOG is a nationwide program, it is administered separately by each state and territory, meaning the eligibility criteria, grant amounts, and property requirements can vary depending on your location. This means that the amount available and the conditions attached to the grant will differ, so it is important to check the specific guidelines for your state or territory.

It’s important to note that the FHOG is just one of several incentives available to first home buyers. In most states and territories, the grant is not linked to stamp duty exemptions or concessions, with the exception of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The FHOG is typically a one-off payment, reducing the overall cost of purchasing or building a new home before any stamp duty concessions are applied.

Below, we provide a breakdown of the First Home Owner Grants available across Australia, outlining the specific details for each state and territory.

<h2>New South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $600,000. For land purchases and owner-builders, the threshold extends to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Provides full stamp duty exemption for homes valued up to $800,000, with concessions available for properties up to $1 million.

<h2>Victoria South Wales First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides a $10,000 grant for first-home buyers purchasing or building new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Benefits: Offers full stamp duty exemption for properties up to $600,000, with concessions available up to $750,000.

<h2>Queensland First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers $30,000 for contracts signed between 20 November 2023 and 30 June 2025. The FHOG applies to new homes valued up to $750,000.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Provides additional concessions for properties valued up to $800,000.

<h2>Western Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

&nbsp;

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes valued up to $750,000 in the southern regions and up to $1 million in the northern regions.

Stamp Duty Concessions: Available for homes valued up to $600,000 for transactions entered into on or after 9 May 2024.

<h2>Australian Capital Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Replaced by the Home Buyer Concession Scheme, offering full stamp duty concessions for eligible buyers.

<h2>South Australia First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Provides up to $15,000 for new homes, including houses, apartments, and townhouses. As of 6 June 2024, there is no property value cap for eligibility.

Stamp Duty Relief: Available for new homes and vacant land purchases.

<h2>Tasmania First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: Offers a $10,000 grant for new homes and off the plan purchases.

Stamp Duty Exemption: Between 18 February 2024 and 30 June 2026, first home buyers of established homes valued up to $750,000 receive a full exemption on property transfer duty.

<h2>Northern Territory First Home Owner Grant</h2>

First Home Owner Grant: The Northern Territory provides a $10,000 grant for new homes only. Additional government grants and concessions are available for first home buyers.

Stamp Duty Exemption: The only stamp duty exemption available to property buyers is the House and Land Package Exemption (HLPE).

Eligibility criteria and application processes differ across states. Prospective buyers should refer to their respective state revenue offices for full details on grant availability, conditions, and additional concessions.

Every First Home Owner Grant for new property by state

In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable architecture and environmentally conscious design, systems and ratings in place can help determine the energy efficiency of residential buildings in Australia.

Australia has multiple building rating systems that evaluate energy efficiency and sustainability in existing and new building designs.

Some systems assess individual building components, while others provide an overall rating for the entire structure.

A rating system ensures that homes are comfortable and energy-efficient, whether you are buying, renovating, or building.

NatHERS (Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme) is a common way for new homes to meet energy efficiency requirements.

As new developments continue to shape the urban environment, understanding NatHERS ratings becomes essential for developers and homeowners. This article delves into the concept of NatHERS ratings, their significance, and how they contribute to creating energy-efficient homes.

<h2>What is NatHERS?</h2>

NatHERS is a national initiative implemented by the Australian government to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. The scheme aims to provide a standardised method for assessing the thermal performance of homes, considering factors such as insulation, orientation, ventilation, and building materials.&nbsp;

NatHERS ratings are the most common way new homes meet the National Construction Code's (NCC's) minimum energy efficiency requirements.&nbsp;

NatHERS assessments provide thermal and whole-home ratings for new homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The rating helps evaluate the energy performance of buildings, guides homeowners and developers to make informed decisions about the energy efficiency of their properties, and encourages the construction of more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective homes.

<h2>How NatHERS Ratings Work</h2>

NatHERS ratings are determined through four accredited software tools (AccuRate, BERS Pro, FirstRate5, HERO) using a calculation engine CSIRO developed to predict building temperature based on various factors.

The tools can model complex effects of building mass, insulation, window size, and other elements.

The outcome is a star rating that reflects the building's overall thermal efficiency, indicating how well it can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems.

The star rating scale ranges from 0 to 10, with a 6-star rating being the minimum requirement for compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC).&nbsp;

Achieving a higher star rating demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, as the building is better equipped to minimise its environmental impact and reduce long-term energy costs.

Anyone can use NatHERS tools, but accredited assessors can provide certified ratings and professional advice.

<h2>Benefits of Higher NatHERS Ratings</h2>

Energy Efficiency: Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings are more energy-efficient, requiring less heating and cooling energy. This reduces the structure's carbon footprint and lowers occupants' energy bills.

Cost Savings: Homes with higher NatHERS ratings are generally more energy-efficient, resulting in reduced energy consumption for heating and cooling. This translates to lower energy bills for homeowners, making sustainable living environmentally friendly and economically viable in the long run.

Environmental Impact: Lower energy consumption directly translates to a reduced environmental impact. Buildings with higher NatHERS ratings contribute to the overall goal of mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling systems.

Improved Comfort: Buildings with high NatHERS ratings offer better thermal comfort to occupants. Proper insulation, well-designed ventilation, and optimal orientation maintain a consistent and comfortable indoor temperature, providing occupants with a more enjoyable and healthier space.

Market Value and Desirability: Higher NatHERS ratings can enhance the market value of a property. As energy efficiency becomes a more significant consideration for homebuyers, a well-rated building may attract a premium price and stand out in the real estate market.

Compliance with Building Codes: NatHERS ratings are a vital component of the National Construction Code (NCC), and compliance with these ratings is often a mandatory requirement for new developments. Local councils and planning authorities may set minimum energy efficiency standards that must be met to obtain development approval.

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) is a crucial initiative shaping the future of energy-efficient, resilient, and cost-effective homes. With its recent upgrades, NatHERS has evolved into a world-leading tool for the building sector, supporting the global commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Staff Writer

What is a NatHERS rating in new off the plan apartment developments?

Mixed-use developments have gained significant popularity across Australia in recent years due to their unique blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.

Unlike traditional single-purpose developments, mixed-use projects offer a harmonious integration of various functions within a single locale.

Residential units seamlessly coexist with commercial establishments, retail outlets, dining venues, entertainment hubs, and recreational facilities, with the combination not only enhances convenience but also fosters a vibrant lifestyle and a sense of community.

<h3>Convenience and accessibility</h3>

Mixed-use developments are designed with convenience in mind. They often integrate residential units with commercial spaces, retail outlets, restaurants, and recreational facilities, creating a self-contained community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

The proximity allows residents to enjoy the convenience of having essential amenities and services within walking distance. Whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee, going grocery shopping, or accessing healthcare services, everything is conveniently located, saving residents time and effort.

<h3>Vibrant lifestyle and community</h3>

One of the major advantages of mixed-use developments is the vibrant lifestyle they offer. With a diverse range of amenities and communal spaces, residents have ample opportunities to interact, socialise, and build a sense of community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107714 project_image_fid=214122]

The presence of parks, community centres, and shared spaces fosters a lively atmosphere, encouraging residents to engage in various activities and events. The vibrant lifestyle within these developments creates a unique sense of belonging and camaraderie among the residents.

<h3>Potential for higher rental yields and property value appreciation</h3>

Mixed-use developments tend to attract a broad range of tenants and buyers due to their versatile nature. This high demand can result in higher rental yields for investors and potentially lead to property value appreciation over time.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=212887]

The integration of commercial and retail spaces attracts businesses, which can provide a stable rental income stream. Additionally, the popularity of mixed-use developments often drives up property values, making them a potentially lucrative investment in the long term.

<h3>Enhanced security and maintenance</h3>

Mixed-use developments typically have comprehensive security measures in place. With controlled access points, CCTV surveillance, and professional security staff, residents can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108019 project_image_fid=212658]

Additionally, these developments often have dedicated maintenance teams responsible for the upkeep of common areas, landscaping, and infrastructure. This ensures that the overall appearance and functionality of the development are well-maintained, creating a pleasant living environment for residents.

<h3>Live-work-play balance</h3>

One of the key attractions of mixed-use developments is the ability to achieve a desirable live-work-play balance. The integration of residential and commercial spaces allows residents to live closer to their workplaces, reducing commuting time and improving work-life balance.

The proximity to various amenities and recreational facilities encourages an active and healthy lifestyle. Residents can easily access fitness centres, parks, restaurants, and entertainment options, all within the same development, leading to a more fulfilling and convenient way of life.

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The top five reasons to buy in a mixed-use development

When buying a property, everyone needs to be aware of the additional costs that come as part of the buying process.

Often the largest outlay, after the deposit which goes to the bank, is stamp duty.

<h2 style="line-height: 1.38;">What is Stamp Duty?</h2>

Stamp duty is an extra tax to pay the government when you buy land, a property, and other certain assets.

It happens when the legal ownership is transferred. It can also be known as property transfer duty or transfer duty.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C32BWkB5--c" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

<h2>Who pays Stamp Duty?</h2>

In some circumstances, you may get an exemption. For some states, you won’t have to pay for stamp duty if you are a first home buyer or a pensioner for houses under a particular price. There are also stamp duty concessions, where you may be entitled to a discount.

<h2>How much does Stamp Duty cost?</h2>

Each state has different rules which affect how much you need to pay. These rules can affect the rate you pay, and the timeframe you will need to pay in. Before you buy land or a property, make sure you check the up-to-date information for your state’s stamp duty.

You can use a free stamp duty calculator online to see approximately how much you’ll need to pay. Find out if you’re eligible for an exemption by enquiring on a project via Urban!

Overall, the stamp duty you need to pay will depend on:

<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">How much your land/property is worth</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Where your land/property is located</li>
	<li aria-level="1">What type of land/property it is</li>
</ul>

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Ellen Walker

Off-the-plan property explained: What is stamp duty?

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The Coogee home of Jennifer Hawkins, the former Miss Universe, television personality and swimwear designer, and her fiance, Jake Wall, has now been listed with a $2.3 million asking price. 
It was passed in at December auction on a $2.5 million vendor bid through McGrath agent Adrian Bo and then listed with a $2.6 million asking price.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/model-jennifer-hawkins-coogee-pad-finally-hits-the-market/2011111452342" target="_blank">The 2003-built Coogee property</a>, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, cost Hawkins $2.27 million in late 2008.
The main bedroom comes with ensuite, dressing room and terrace. One of its ultra-modern bathrooms has a Japanese agape spoon bath. Its third bedroom could be a home theatre or home office.
There’s a private rooftop terrace with ocean views as well as a cellar – all a stroll to Gordon’s Bay and Coogee and minutes to shops, cafes and transport.
Much of the house, including a feature wall of Florence Broadhurst-style wallpaper, pre-dates Hawkins’ 2008 purchase.
The couple moved out of the Moore Street townhouse several months before the December auction in anticipation of construction of their northern beaches home  in the Windy Dropdown gated estate.
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Jennifer Hawkins cuts profit hopes to slimmest margin: Title Tattle

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Construction group Leighton Holdings has accepted, without admission of liability, three infringement notices issued by ASIC in relation to the earnings downgrade it issued on April 11 last year.
Leighton paid the three penalties of $100,000 each on March 16 in compliance with the infringement notices.
In a statement Leighton said it had agreed to accept these infringement notices and pay the penalty as a way to conclude ASIC's investigation and to avoid additional legal costs.
Leighton Holdings chairman Stephen Johns says that as part of accepting the infringement notices, Leighton has agreed to implement a formal review of its continuous disclosure policies and procedures.
"We take our continuous disclosure obligations very seriously and have undertaken to ASIC to implement an independent review of our systems," he says.
"We recognise that continuous disclosure is extremely important for the efficient operation of the market and will use the review as part of our program to improve the systems that support our business.  We will commence the review as soon as practical.
"The infringement notices allow Leighton to move on from the events surrounding the earnings downgrade last year. This enables the management team, led by Mr Hamish Tyrwhitt, to focus on the operations of the business. They are not an admission of liability nor a finding of any breach of law.
"This gives us certainty and we are pleased to bring the ASIC investigation to a close," Johns says.
In the April 11 notice, the Leighton Group said it expected to report a loss of $427 million for the financial year, compared with its previous guidance for a profit of $480 million after tax – the worst annual loss in the company’s history.
“The revision is primarily due to writebacks of expected profit on the Airport Link project in Queensland and the Victorian Desalination Project, and an impairment of Leighton’s investment in the Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG),” the company said at the time.
ASIC chairman Greg Medcraft said the enforcement outcome achieved in this case “utilises the variety of regulatory tools available to ASIC to maintain overall integrity of its markets”.
 
 
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Leighton Holdings pays $300,000 fine over earnings downgrade infringement notices

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Prominent Goldman Sachs Sydney stockbroker Richard Coppleson advised his clients last week he'd  heard stories that Mosman was in a "huge state of distress" as bankers bailed from the prestige property market.
He soundly suggests that many Mosman properties were not advertised for sale. It's true that there are many for sale that don't show up on in the agency windows, websites or brand-enabling print advertising.
But Coppleson then went on to suggest his estimate - that for every 10 properties publicly listed for sale, just one is advertised
Richardson &amp; Wrench Mosman Robert Simeon say Mosman presently has 144 houses on the market using the Domain website as his source.
Noting Mosman had 4,900 houses, Simeon deduces that represents 2.93%.
"If you apply the multiple factor (stated above) that would equate to approximately 1,444 houses being available for sale, which is 29% as against the current precise number of 2.93%."
Simeon suggests that during the GFC and beyond, Mosman posted one of the lowest delinquency rates in Australia – and no houses in Mosman sell for less than $1 million. No one would dispute prices are down, but there's been a significant uptick in prestige sales in the lead-up to Easter.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/feb27mandolong]}
Meanwhile Mandolong House (pictured above), one of Mosman's most coveted estates, has been sold for a bullish $18 million. Its reputed buyer is to Markus Kahlbetzer from the polo playing pastoralist family headed by John Dieter Kahlbetzer.
Despite the lack of significant Middle Harbour views, the Mandolong Road property sale set a suburb record price for a non-waterfront residential property. The previous record was $15.25 million for a Stanley Street residence that sold last year through Raine &amp; Horne Mosman agent Brendan Warner, who secured the latest sale.
Set high on the slopes of Balmoral, Mandolong House sits on 2,909 square metres of grounds that come with a north-south tennis court and pool. The 1885 residence was  transformed four years ago by architect William Smart of Smart Design Studio.
The five-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion features a grand entrance hall, formal reception rooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen and  entertainment areas that open to wide terraces. There's also a self-contained pavilion for guests.
Markus Kahlbetzer's current home is the penthouse in the 1970s Stuart Murray-designed Elizabeth Bay apartment block Deepdene.  Set on the Elizabeth Bay Road loop, Deepdene stands between the waterfront properties of Oceana and historic Tresco. The architecturally iconic apartment complex was constructed by the builders A.F Little as five separate apartments.
Pastoralist John Kahlbetzer acquired the penthouse in 1980, then finished his consolidation in 2006 with the purchase of two units costing $6.6 million from Fay Parker of Parker's Wines. The penthouse outdoor entertainment area was remodelled by landscaper William Dangar with a structure designed by architect Richard Goodwin.
Mandolong House was sold by Barry Roberts-Thomson, deputy chairman of Hutchison Telecommunications, and his wife, Victoria, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/mandalong-house-listing-set-to-test-mosman-market-after-banking-bonuses-dry-up/2012022753564" target="_blank">and had initial $20 million hopes last year</a>. It lasted traded for $3,375,000 in 1989 from the Damon family, who had owned it for about 50 years. The house has had only four owners. Of the five Mosman properties sold for double-digit millions during the past year, Warner's taking credit for three.
The top end market has achieved recent turnover, albeit at subdued levels and pricing. The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/chinese-buyers-playing-property-pick-a-box-but-record-mosman-price-unlikely/2012030653723" target="_blank">waterfront estate of car dealer Laurie Sutton sold earlier this year</a> to Ying Li for a reputed $20 million short of the property's price tag in 2009 when Sutton listed it with hopes of exceeding Mosman's $22.5 million price record. Sutton has owned the property since the late 1970s when he bought it from Bob and Dolly Dyer, hosts of the long-running television show BP Pick a Box. Measuring 5,154 square metres, the Bay Street property is Mosman's largest waterfront estate with views across Quakers Hat Bay. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom residence is set in gardens with a tennis court, pool and  boating facilities including a shed, slipway, jetty and floating deep-water marina.
Last November there was the $19 million sale of a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/billioniare-oatley-wine-family-snaps-up-kahala-for-the-best-of-balmoral-s-boating-facilities/2011112852575" target="_blank">Hopetoun Avenue waterfront property to Ros Oatley</a> of the Oatley wine family. The house was now demolished, having sold in boomtime for $22.5 million.
The unsold listings include the stark white Mosman landmark called the George Williamson House but colloquially known as the igloo house has been listed for sale. Following its design by architect Harry Seidler in 1951, the Modernist Parriwi Road property caused traffic mayhem as Sydneysiders sought to get a glimpse. It was saved from demolition in the late 1990s and heritage listed in 2002. It now comes with approved extensions and a new harbourfront wing overseen by the Seidler architectural practice, which was commissioned by the current vendors, Ian and Tanya Oatley. Set on a 1,700 square-metre Chinamans Beach holding with 40 metres of beachfront, it's been listed by Sandie Dunne of Dunne Mosman with $20 million-plus hopes.
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Bankers are supposedly bailing, but Mosman’s Mandolong House reputedly sells for bullish $18 million

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It appears Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have joined the anti-coal mining movement in the NSW Southern Highlands.
The celebrity couple have hung a protest placard on the gates of their $6.5 million Southern Highlands retreat that condemns coal seam gas mining.
The protest sign was bought from a Shoo Cockatoo stall set up at the Moss Vale Farmers Market last month.
<img src="/images/stories/kidman.jpg">
A photo in News Ltd newspapers shows the sign on the gates at the front of the couple's property in Sutton Forest (pictured above).
The sign says "No coal or coal seam gas", similar to the one pictured, which is from elsewhere in the Southern Highlands.
Local landholders who have been  campaigning against plans to expand coal and gas mining operations in the farmlet region for two years <a href="/images/stories/flexicontent/s_coalseam.jpg" target="_blank">have been hoping Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban would join their battle</a>.
Southern Highlands Coal Action Group convener Peter Martin has said that Kidman and Urban had spoken about their concerns regarding the proposed mining activity in the area at the stall last month.
"We sold them the sign for $20 when they visited the Moss Vale Farmers Market one Saturday morning on their last visit here," he says.
Kidman  and Urban, who bought the 1878 Georgian mansion  in Sutton Forest in 2008, have never spoken publicly about their concerns.
They now <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/rural/alan-jones-and-michael-ball-get-behind-southern-highlands-cockatoo-coal-fight-but-still-no-sign-of-nicole-kidman/2011111752419" target="_blank">join radio broadcaster Alan Jones</a>, who also has a farm in the highlands, who has lent his voice to the campaign.
The Southern Highlands Coal Action Group is headed by Peter Martin, a former chief executive for Rothschild Australia Asset Management.
More than 460 properties are located within the area covered by the coal-seam gas and coal mining leases.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/coal-mine-anxiety-for-nicole-kidman-s-sutton-forest-property/2011062150555" target="_blank">Hume Coal, a joint venture between Korean steel-making giant POSCO and Cockatoo Coal</a>, holds a 115-square-metre exploration permit initially granted in 1967 and began the first stage of the exploration process last May.
The NSW state government has imposed tighter controls on mining and coal-seam gas drilling on or near high-value agricultural land, with applications to mine having to first gain the approval of an independent expert panel.
But landholders say the rules do not go far enough and want mining to be banned altogether on high-value land.
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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban join anti-coal protesters in NSW Southern Highlands

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Australia needs to have a deeper debate on how to treat foreign state-owned buyers of farms and rural businesses, New England independent Tony Windsor has told The Australian Financial Review.
“We shouldn’t debate about stopping foreign investment – no one is going to do that – but should foreign governments have freehold ownership over our land?
“It’s something we should debate and look at the distinction between state-owned buyers and others.”
It follows a Coalition proposal to toughen foreign farm ownership rules to bolster food security, although the Nationals leader Warren Truss faced an angry backlash from some Liberal MPs, who warned that tougher regulation could deter investment and deprive farmers of opportunities.
Offshore investment in farmland and agribusiness of more than $20 million would face new scrutiny and be considered in the same “sensitive” category as media and defence.
“Anyone who says they will cut foreign ownership is just playing to an audience,” Windsor said.
“Australia was built on foreign investment and we do need it. But it’s hard when the big investor at the moment is such a key part of our economy.”
Trade Minister Craig Emerson, in the Financial Review in January, bluntly warned farmers that protectionist sentiments and fear of foreign invaders were as damaging to Australia’s long-term interests as industrial protectionism.
Emerson said increased investment, particularly from Asian neighbours, represented an “unsurpassed” opportunity for Australian farmers.
“People are wary of other governments owning our land, and I don’t think we fully comprehend what that means, and it is different from an individual,” Windsor said.
The Foreign Investment Review Board now only scrutinises non-government purchases of agricultural land and businesses below $244 million in value.
 
 
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Australia needs to talk about foreign ownership of rural land: MP

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<img src="/images/stories/undergradclass.gif">
- lawyer David Newman points out.
He’s representing the estranged wife of billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev — who made headlines earlier this year when he paid a record $88 million for a 6,700-square-foot New York pad for his daughter at 15 Central Park West.
The estranged wife says the Russian fertilizer king was not being accurate when claiming the apartment was for their daughter Ekaterina to live in while she attends school in <place><state>New York</state></place>.
“She does not attend school in <state><place>New York</place></state>,” Elena Rybolovleva said in papers filed yesterday in Manhattan Supreme Court. And if she did, said David Newman, she would stay in slightly more modest digs.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/the_dorm_rBkdCGPmXYB05mUaoXD9pL#ixzz1pF5a00IB">In the lawsuit </a>her attorneys allege that Rybolovlev “fraudulently transferred property acquired during his marriage… in violation of a Swiss court order to his own personal use.”
 
 
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Quote of the week: What does a Russian billionaire want with New York's priciest apartment?

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First-time property investors should look at the outlying areas of Sydney rather than focus on the pricier inner-city suburbs, according to SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher.
Christopher says the best opportunities for Sydney investors lie in the outer suburbs, more than 25 kilometres from the city centre.
He picks the western Sydney suburbs of Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith as good places to invest in residential property at a time western Sydney’s reputation as investment hotspot is on the rise.
Smart Property Investment magazine’s most recent list of the 50 suburbs with the greatest capital growth potential included <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/hotspots-from-fibros-to-mcmansions-western-sydney-attracting-investor-attention/2012012953164">four western Sydney suburbs: Blacktown, Liverpool, Penrith and Rosemeadow.</a>
Christopher says rents in Campbelltown, Liverpool and Penrith have been growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7% since 2009 due to an influx of families looking for more affordable housing options.
He does not have a preference for either houses or units and says total returns from both types of properties tend to perform similarly in the long term.
Douglas Driscoll, chief executive of Starr Partners, also says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/greater-western-sydney-market-to-go-from-strength-to-strength-in-2012/2011122252902">western Sydney suburbs will perform strongly in 2012</a>.
He expects this market to get stronger, with new suburbs and shopping districts appearing, businesses establishing and settling in the area, transport connections improving and large master-planned residential developments appearing.
“No other area in Sydney is seeing that amount of change so quickly,” he says.
For <a target="_blank" href="/news">Six smart steps towards buying your first investment property</a>, sign up for Property Observer’s free webinar with property investment expert Chris Gray on Thursday, March 22 at 12.30pm.
 
 
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First-time Sydney investors should look at outer suburbs: Louis Christopher

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Kerry Jones, the chatelaine of the castellated 56-room Darling Point mansion Swifts, has signalled she won’t succumb to the complaints of neighbours who want her to stop holding commercial and charity parties.
And she’s upped the ante, pointing out the 1.4-hectare grounds could accommodate about “eight high-rise home unit blocks”.
“We have tried to run it as a private home, with private parties occasionally, but it has caused this mass hysteria,” she says.
“It’s not working as a home.”
<img src="/images/stories/swifts1.jpg">
Council staff have recently collected evidence, including noise monitoring readings, photographs and videos of traffic accompanying social events at the Victorian Gothic home.
Lawyers have sought a written undertaking that no further events will be held without development consent, or Jones will face action in the Land and Environment Court.
“There is no doubt in our minds that events had been not of a scale that is not ordinarily associated with the use of a residential property,” Woollahra Council planning director Allan Coker told the Wentworth Courier. The articles was headlined "Jason Priestley party at Swifts the last straw for council."
<img src="/images/stories/swifts2.jpg">
It was 1994 when there was the last serious possibility of the grounds of Swifts being under redevelopment threat.
Its then mortgagee in possession, St George Bank, wanting to maximise its return on its $30 million exposure, considered townhouses being built along the historic estate's perimeter.
Swifts was built in 1880 for the Tooth brewing family, with the motto Perseverantia Palman Obtinebit (Perseverance Yields the Prize) cut into its facade. Its construction highlighted extraordinary self-made wealth. For most Sydney families, a cottage or terrace sufficed, but at Swifts the house took up 1,800 square metres, rivalling Government House in size and stature.
It was 1901 when Swifts was sold to the non-Catholic Resch family, who subsequently willed it to the Catholic Church in 1963 – when it was valued at £235,000 – with a 20-year ownership covenant.
<img src="/images/stories/swifts3.jpg">
Coincidently the Church took possession for use as the Archbishop's residence on the same day Archbishop Daniel Mannix died at Raheen, the stately Melbourne equivalent owned by the Pratt family. Cardinal Gilroy occupied Swifts until his death in 1977.
Periodically the chapel was used for weddings at the Archbishop's discretion – indeed Foreign Minister Bob Carr and wife Helena were married there in 1973. And presumably existing use rights have long lapsed for any conversion now into a wedding venue. 
After the 20-year ownership covenant lapsed, the Catholic Church listed the property for sale in 1986.
To the frustration of others, property investor Carl Spies, who enjoyed low-key links with Catholic charities, bought Swifts for his parents in an off-market deal through the late Richardson and Wrench doyen Ron Pillinger.
<img src="/images/stories/swifts4.jpg">
The 1.4-hectare estate sold in pre-boom 1986 by the Catholic Church for $9 million to Spies, a reclusive property investor who enjoyed a Howard Hughes-like reputation and kept the grounds locked during his ownership.
With Spies holding Swifts as the jewel in his extensive property portfolio – and reputedly knocking back a $38 million offer – his financiers readily increased their financial gearing before the property boom burst in the early 1990s.
<img src="/images/stories/swifts5.jpg">
Swifts remained in Spies' possession until Easter 1992 - and rang Title Tattle on his emotion-wrenched departure - and was dormant until 1997 when Doug and Greta Moran bought the property for about $10 million through estate agents Graeme Hennessey and Ken Jacobs.
The Morans, who ran Moran Health Care, prided themselves with the desire to improve Australia's heritage as well as look after its health. Doug Moran was full of pride when he showed Title Tattle through the house afterb its extensive restoration. 
In April 2011 two of the couple's children, <a href=""></a><a href=""></a>Shane Moran and his family of four children moved into Swifts, taking up residence along with sister, Kerry Jones. Kerry Jones and Shane Moran have equal shares in Swifts, said to be worth more than $60 million on today's market.
Their father, Doug died last November.
 
 
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Swifts mansion chatelaine Kerry Jones raises spectre of high-rise for Darling Point grounds: Title Tattle

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A 400-hectare sheep and crop farm in NSW that has been in the same family since about the 1860s has been put up for sale for the first time.
The Corowa district property has been in the Brown family since selection.
The only remaining members of the family are two nephews who live in Melbourne and have no interest in continuing the farm. 
Full knowledge of the history of the purchase of the Buraja property was lost with the death of Arthur Brown in September 2011.
Rosemount comes with an old four-bedroom weatherboard house and all the requisite infrastructure for farming, including a three-stand woolshed, steel sheep yards, cattle yards, machinery sheds and silos.
Though not the original, the house has been around for a long time. Arthur Brown was born in the house and lived there until he died in his 80s.
The house has been renovated during its life and comes with an electric kitchen, a formal lounge and a meals area.
Behind the house are the remnants of the original homestead, including a workers’ quarters and the old kitchen and bathroom.
The 11-paddock property can run 1,000 ewes and is also used for cereal and oilseed crops.
The Brown family used to run a blacksmith forge on site, the remnants of which still remain. This was used to forge and maintain equipment and look after working horses.
The land is being sold in one block, though there is the chance it may be split up into three lots.
If buyers are quick they also can bid on a collection of antiques associated with the property including a full blacksmith ensemble, old wagons, a piano and beds, all from the 1800s.
The land is 15 kilometres north of Corowa and 60 kilometres north west of Albury/Wodonga.
Agent Reg Coulston from Elders Albury has price hopes of about $1.4 million for its March 30 auction.
 
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Corowa farm up for sale for the first time since 1860s

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A Queensland real estate agent caught by a widow taking photos of her house one day after her husband died has sparked outrage and slew of stories from other people about similar heartless behaviour.
The story, which aired on ABC Brisbane radio yesterday, followed an email sent to talk show host Spencer Howson detailing what had happened:
“My husband passed away in hospital on 24th January, 2012. The afternoon of 25th January I caught a real estate agent taking photos of my house,” wrote the widow.
“When I went to approach her to find out why she was taking photos, she ran to her car, jumped in and took off at speed.
“On telling this tale to friends because I was so upset by the whole incident, other stories emerged – apparently the agents have someone on the inside at the hospital who feeds them information about the properties of newly deceased.
“My problem is with the estate agents who act on this information immediately, especially preying on the vulnerable older widows. Since when did this become acceptable behaviour in Australia? Surely they can wait a month at least before trying to get their business. I hadn't even contacted a funeral director to make any arrangements, so no notices were in the paper,” she says.
The widow is not selling the house.
The ABC did not reveal the name of the agent, or the agency she worked for. The widow reported that she knew it was an agent because her neighbour saw the woman get into a car that had an agency’s brand painted on it.
Following the airing of the program (<a href="https://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2012/03/real-estate-death-knock-or-misunderstanding?site=brisbane&amp;program=612_breakfast" target="_blank">listen here in full</a>), other people have written in to describe similar behaviour from other unscrupulous agents.
“Soon after my dad died, we got a phone call from a real estate agent, wondering whether my mum would be selling the house,” wrote Helen.
“I wrote a strong letter to the manager of the real estate agency, but did not receive any apology,” she added.
Jeff blogged:  “I live next door to a real estate agent and witnessed a similar incident as was described on your program. The agent noticed that relatives were cleaning out a house across the road and they approached them to list the property.
“They then purchased the property themselves and immediately subdivided it into two lots. When they were showing people the house for re-sale they would drive their car the 50 metres from their own house so the prospective buyer was unaware they lived so close.”
Silvija blogged: “When we had a garage sale, we were approached by an estate agent asking if this was a deceased estate ... also when my father passed away my mother went through the same as [another commentator], but she was contacted by phone and was talked into selling and buying a smaller home without having time to grieve.”
Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO Anton Kardash told ABC Radio Brisbane that he was “bemused and distressed” by the incident.
“Such behaviour by an agent is clearly in breach of the ethical standards that we operate on,” he said.
However, he said did not understand why an agent would photograph a house she was not selling.
Kardash says Thomson and anyone else who has been the victim of such behaviour should contact the REIQ’s complaints line, which last year received about 13,000 calls.
For tips on how to secure listings the right way, download our free eBook <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-50-smart-tips-for-real-estate-agents-to-sell-more-in-a-tough-2012" target="_blank">50 smart tips for real estate agents to sell more in a tough 2012</a>.
 
 
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