<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 Macedon Ranges town of Woodend is perhaps most famous for its close proximity to eerie Hanging Rock, but that has not spooked Melburnians seeking a lifestyle change, with strong house price gains over the past 12 months.
Location and demographics
Woodend is located about 70 kilometres north of Melbourne just off the Calder Freeway and forms part of a corridor of Macedon Ranges country towns, which starts with Gisborne and runs all the way to Bendigo.
Woodend had a population 0f 3,170 at the time of the 2006 census and is estimated to be home to 3,600 currently. It expected to reach about 5,000 residents by 2036, with nearly half (47%) of Woodend’s population expected to be 65 or older by this time, according to forecasts by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
“There will be considerable growth in small one- and two-person households for example, and a greater proportion of older people in the population,” says the council report.
<img src="/images/stories/woodendtown.jpg">
The ageing population could result in an “increase in volunteerism and in vibrancy of community life”.
“However, it is a shift that requires appropriate resources, especially to meet the needs of the growing number of frail aged. Infrastructure, service and community planning also will need to consider the requirements of an ageing population. There will also be a need to ensure enough housing stock exists in Woodend that can meet the changing needs of its ageing residents,” says the report.
Key property data
Data compiled by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) shows that Woodend house prices grew by 8.2% in 2011 to a median of $595,000 and have risen 77% over the past five years.
This is better than regional Victoria, where the median house price increased by 3.6% over 2011 to $315,000 and by 27% over the past five years.
In comparison, the Melbourne median house price contracted by 1.8% to $540,383 in 2011, though prices are still up 46% over the past five years.
According to research by property investor group Investar, Woodend had the fastest-growing house prices in 2011, with the price of a four-bedroom house appreciating by 38% to $580,000
Woodend vs other country Macedon ranges towns and Melbourne
<table style="width: 470px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="123" valign="top">
 
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Median house price
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Change over past year
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Weekly rent
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Gross yield
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Woodend
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
$518,750
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
8.2%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
$340
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
3.4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Gisborne
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
$437,500
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
6.7%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
$350
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
4.2%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Kyenton
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
$377,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
21.6%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
$290
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
4%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="123" valign="top">
Melbourne 
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
$465,000
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
-5.4%
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
*$340
</td>
<td width="123" valign="top">
3.5% (H)
4.3% (U)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: RP Data, *sourced from REIA
What the town has to offer:
A walk down the Woodend High Street reveals a modern rural village, with a mix of cafes, bookstores, expensive restaurants as well as a disproportionate number of real estate offices advertising properties for sale, most in rural settings.
Famous landmarks include the Holgate Brewhouse with its artisan beers, which stands in a restored 19th-century hotel and the 1920s Campaspe Country House on Goldies Lane, with its Edna Walling-designed gardens and natural bushland grounds.
Woodend’s most famous nearby landmark is the striking outcrop of rocks formed by ancient volcanic action known as Hanging Rock and the setting for the novel Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay about a group of Victorian school girls who go missing while on a picnic, later made into an acclaimed film by Peter Weir.
There is a direct V-Line train service from Melbourne’s Southern Cross to Woodend, which takes just over an hour, while a commute along the Calder Freeway takes about 45 to 50 minutes.
Nearby schools include Braemar College and Woodend Primary. Supermarkets include Coles and an IGA.
Current state of the market
Local agent Peter Mussared from Town, Coast and Country Realty Macedon tells Property Observer he is getting a good level of enquiries at the more affordable end of the market – properties priced between $400,000 and $600,000 – but not as much interest for those at the higher end of town.
He says most interest comes from Melburnians looking for a lifestyle property within an easy commute to the city.
Mussared is currently selling <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mount+macedon-109727656">this three-bedroom country home on Waterfalls Road in nearby Mount Macedon</a> with a price tag of $465,000 targeted at first-home buyers, investors or “for those scaling down”.
<img src="/images/stories/woodend1.jpg" width="470">
“I have had 10 to 12 enquiries and two have come from investors. Most are from Melbourne buyers,” he says.
Mussared says the property could rent for around $370 to $380 per week, equating to a yield of around 4.2%.
According to the REIV’s Robert Larocca the growth in Woodend house prices is “part of a clear trend for above-normal prices for towns along a corridor north of the city, from Melbourne to Bendigo”.
Larocca says Woodend and other towns in the corridor have a lot more affordable options than what’s available in Melbourne
“Not every house is going to be that price but there are Melbourne-type house prices in that corridor ... and that really stands out when compared to many other parts of regional Victoria,” he says.
He also says the area has managed to retain its country charm despite its increasing popularity and has not gone down the route of sea-change beneficiaries like Torquay, which have responded to increased housing demand by developing “suburban-type homes”.
"I think part of the character and beauty of those towns along the Calder is that they still have very much that town feel about them,” says Larocca.
He expects house prices in the corridor to continue to rise beyond what is usually expected in regional Victoria.
"Location is critical in real estate and that's really obvious here, and I think you'll see them continue in strength over the coming years because all the things that make them popular and in demand at the moment are not going anywhere in a hurry."
The demand for housing in Woodend has prompted the release of 25 prime housing allotments on Washington Lane currently being market by Joan Gladman-Woodend. They allotments have an average land size of 600 square metres with prices ranging from $215,000 to $235,000.
Reasons to buy:
<ul>
<li>Affordable country living </li>
<li>Good transport connections to Melbourne</li>
<li>Town has retained country charm</li>
<li>Regular picnics at Hanging Rock</li>
</ul>
Reasons not to buy:
<ul>
<li>Investment in infrastructure required further down the line to manage growing and ageing population</li>
<li>An ageing population will not appeal to younger buyers.</li>
</ul>
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Hotspots: Tree-changing retirees driving up property prices in Woodend

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The Goodman Group's hopes for quick approval for its inner-city Sydney residential high-rise development site have been stymied.
It had been among the landowners who’ve nominated their land for special consideration by the NSW Department of Planning, but instead its prior approval for massive intensification has been overturned by the NSW Planning Minister Brad Hazzard.
His decision <a href=""></a>limits the site to nine storeys, down from the 19 storeys granted by the former Labor state government.
“Labor directed the City of Sydney Council in 2010 to increase height limits at the site from nine to 19 storeys and increase allowable residential floor space by nearly 60%,” Hazzard says.
“Last week I toured the site and came to the conclusion that a height limit of 19 storeys at this site is completely out of character with the nearby area.”
Goodman’s specific intentions aren’t fully known or revealed in <a href="https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=jzbGsUV9Qfk%3d&amp;tabid=561&amp;language=en-AU">the landowner-nominated sites on the department’s websites</a> but the decision has effectively halved any project with the difference amounting to 636 extra dwellings.
With each selling at, say, $700,000, about $445 million in potential revenue has been removed from the Goodman balance book. 
Goodman's holding includes a non-descript Erskineville industrial estate set on Mitchell Road between Erskineville Oval and Sydney Park, which has been the site of a long skirmish arising from the draft Sydney Local Environmental Plan.
The site was once headquarters of the Metters factory producing ovens and boilers. Its best-known brand was the 1930s Kooka range of gas cooking appliances.
It had an $81 million book value as at June.
<img src="/images/stories/goodman2.jpg">
Goodman’s <a href="https://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/16/167466/Goodman_Group_direct_property_portfolio_2011.pdf">other land holdings</a> in South Sydney include its Alexandria industrial estate (pictured above).
The Metters site has long been subject to considerable government argy bargy as under the Keneally government, the NSW Planning Department demanded the City of Sydney double the site's permissible building heights.
Lord mayor Clover Moore and the council unsucessfully fought the push as they viewed it as a threat to Sydney City Council’s inner-city villages policy.
Other landlords viewed Goodman’s application as headlining a strategic battle that will shape future development density of all the industrial estates on the southern corridor from the city to the airport.
A lack of suitable transport infrastructure and seven day a week traffic congestion were factors in the minister's decision this week.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore recently previously said that Ashmore was the City’s second largest industrial area identified for urban renewal and offers a rare opportunity to create a sustainable new neighbourhood.
"We want to create a neighbourhood which includes the right infrastructure and sustainable design to improve the lives of current and future residents."
She said the City had been working with the community on the future redevelopment plans for the Ashmore precinct since 2007.
 "In 2010, the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure directed the City to increase the density of the proposed redevelopment and raise height limits of two towers to 19 storeys.
 “We were very concerned about the Department’s new plans and undertook technical studies which showed the heights and density proposed by the Department of Planning would cause overshadowing of nearby properties and obscure views from Sydney Park,” the Lord Mayor said.
 She said residents thought the development focused on profit rather than sustainable urban design.
 “We will be lobbying the NSW Government to support our proposal, reduce their increases to the density and height limits and increase trains and bus services to better serve the needs of the local community, now and into the future.”
The Metters factory site dates to 1906, when the firm, established on Rundle Street in Adelaide in 1891 by Frederick Metters, moved from its small factory on Alice Street at Newtown. Metters stayed there until the early 1970s, about the time it was taken over by Email.
Greg Goodman is the founder and chief executive of Goodman Group, which ranked as one of the global high-flyers of the real estate sector before the global financial crisis.
Goodman bought the site in 1989 from the NSW State Authorities Superannuation Board for $19.2 million.
At the time it has a net annual rental of $2 million, reflecting an initial yield of about 10%.
Goodman's general manager is former Wallaby Jason Little, who has been with the group since 2003.
The site's tenants include Toll Priority and Ausdoc.
The entire Ashmore precinct has been identified for urban renewal since 1998. It covers 17 hectares.
Much of it still contains large industrial buildings surrounded by terraces from the late 1800s. Recent redevelopment in the precinct includes the Motto, Glo and Star Printery apartment complexes, which are mostly six storeys.
Denis O'Neil's nearby Sydney Park Village complex, built in the late 1990s, is of a similar height.
Moore has previously indicated that over the past seven years the council has put in much time and resources planning for the precinct's redevelopment.
It proposed three tall buildings of nine storeys at the centre of the precinct, with smaller apartment blocks totalling 2240 dwellings and 4,000 people. The department wants 2,876 dwellings with 5,200 people.
Moore says the council's work included technical studies to look at issues such as stormwater management, traffic, and transport, urban design and economic feasibility.
Under the latest state government initiative, sites will be reviewed on the basis of government-endorsed objectives with each site undergoing an initial assessment of adequacy. Councils are expected to be consulted and their views taken into account as part of the evaluation. The appropriate provision of services and infrastructure will form part of the assessment process.
A review committee, chaired by the Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, will make recommendations to the state government.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Setback for Goodman Group hopes for fast-tracked high-rise development in inner Sydney

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Neighbours veteran Ryan "Toadie" Moloney has listed his Malvern East house with $1.2 million hopes.
It's been the home of Moloney and his wife, Alison, for about five years. The four-bedroom house sits on a 664-square-metre block that comes with jet pool, studio/workshop and space for four cars.
Bennison Mackinnon agent Andrew Luke and Will Trenchard are holding the auction on March 24.
Inspectees have commented that Moloney likes his horse racing and cards judging by his attic-style retreat in the house.
Moloney, who never followed the Neighbours trend and released a pop single, became a regular on the show in 1996.
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Neighbours veteran Ryan 'Toadie' Moloney lists in Malvern East, seeking new neighbourhood: Title Tattle

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Kalimna, the grand 1881 Coburg mansionette, has been listed for sale.
The Italianate house with richness of details comes with a distinctive tower with a French mansard roof. Set on The Grove, the house was built for Montague Dare, who set about developing an ambitious estate with the promise of tennis court and pavillion and bowling rink.
It’s one of a pair, the other neighbouring maisonette being known as Koorali. 
Title Tattle recollects Dare was especially keen on giving the then Shire of Coburg <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/58433685?searchTerm=montague%20dare&amp;searchLimits=" target="_blank">a hurry along to get the drainage and lighting in the strip then known as Moreland Grove</a>. His estate demonstrates the speculative development associated with the land boom in Coburg just prior to the 1890s depression. The estate was halted by the depression. The pair is one of three proposed and two actually built, according to heritage websites.
The house was designed by Thomas Crouch, who began practising as an architect in Tasmania, but came to Melbourne for the 1850s gold rush.  Crouch was a founding member and secretary of the Victorian Institute of Architects and served as mayor of St Kilda in 1870-71.
Kalimna was later occupied by the Clare Grammar School. It had been divided into flats which were consolidated into a single dwelling in 1979. It hasnt been on the market for two decades or so. Additions were made in 1987, and the house underwent renovation in 1998. There’s dichromatic brickwork, lacework, a hand-carved staircase leading to five bedrooms. Offers close April 4 with Hocking Stuart agent John Sheldrick giving a $2 million price guide.
 
 
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Grand Coburg mansionette Kalimna, with French mansard roof, listed with $2 million hopes

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Analysing the data from recent auctions, 25% had three or more bidders while only 10% were ducks (i.e. no bidder auctions). These are the sort of stats that provide early indications of a strengthening market. Should this demand be sustained on the solid auction numbers in the next few weeks leading up to Easter, it’s safe to say for now that the $1 million-plus market, as a whole, has performed a lot better than most expected and that we may be in fact be in a stabilising price phase.
However if we have a repeat of 2011, where demand fell away after a fairly positive pre-Labour Day 2011 market, then all we are seeing now is a bit of price spiking.
As we keep saying, it is early days. But the numbers are substantial and if the clearance rates continue to improve and the bidder numbers continue to increase then in time we could see an end to price falls and prices could in time begin to climb again (the current market has been trending downwards since Anzac Day 2010).
Our focus for the above statements is the $1 million to $2 million segment. We are still not seeing any significant positive momentum in the $3 million-plus market. Sure, agents are claiming they’re getting offers on properties and yes, some long-term stales are being cleaned up. But they are at lower prices and happening when the vendor is meeting the market not the other way around. So before we acknowledge any uniform improvement across all segments of the market, we need to see the top level perform in greater numbers and a lot more consistently.
Overall the $3 million-plus market is seen by optimists as treading water and by realists as still edging backwards.
Do all the good deals have to drag out? Not necessarily. You can make it hard for yourself and the other side if you want, but good negotiations aren’t necessarily long, unpleasant and drawn out. Indeed, why wouldn’t you negotiate in a timely manner if it is right for both parties?
There are many deals out there in real estate land that haven’t worked out just because both sides have insisted on taking what they think is the “moral” or “right” stance (otherwise known as the “ego” or “victim” position). But over the decades we have found that the best position for buying and selling is the “agreement” position.
The fact is that there is no relationship between the time and pain involved in a negotiation and the quality of the outcome you end up with.  Otherwise how could anybody think a 15-minute Saturday auction was a good thing?
So don’t rush. Don’t go in unprepared or without good representation. But at the same time don’t snatch defeat from the jaws of victory for no good reason other than it seemed too quick or too easy. How dumb would it be if the negotiation could have been good, simple and quick and you still said no? Helllooo, sucker.
Mal James is principal of<a title="James Buyer Advocates" href="https://www.jamesbuyeradvocates.com.au/" target="_blank"> James Buyer Advocates</a>, which advocates on behalf of buyers of property over $1 million. Mal writes weekly auction reports, advice and in-depth market analysis on James' website.
 
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maljames-vHwm28JUAa

Melbourne’s million-dollar market could be turning around, but no momentum in super-prestige property

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Properties in the tightly held suburb of Ivanhoe, in Melbourne’s north east, have been trading hands more frequently of late, according to Jellis Craig’s Annual Property Review.
“While the market may have been more subdued at the end of 2011, median house prices in Banyule have generally defied the trend of a softening market.
“Suburbs such as Ivanhoe, which traditionally have a low turnover, where homes are often held by families for a generation, have enjoyed a 21% increase from December 2009 to December 2011 and more than doubled over the last five years,” says Jellis Craig Ivanhoe director Dave Oster.
“Last year we offered a superb family home in Ivanhoe East which exemplified all the fine features that are increasingly attracting buyers to the area at the higher end. This impressive home in Robinhood Road had a large block with a swimming pool and tennis court and was marketed over several months to achieve a $3.15 million result. The delighted buyer not only acquired a remarkable house but one in which they recognised the long term potential for capital growth.”
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/banyulecomment1.jpg"><img src="/images/stories/banyulecomment1thumb.jpg"></a>
Source: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/">Jellis Craig</a> Annual Property Review
He says sales have slowed in the first few months of 2012 in the area but expects volumes to rebound moving into the Easter period.
“Moving into 2012 we have seen the number of properties on offer slightly decline but increased numbers through the open for inspections have perceptibly increased in comparison to late last year,” says Oster.
“We have also received some solid pre-auction offers over the January/February period, which we anticipate will convert to improved clearance rate levels this side of Easter.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" rel="shadowbox" href="/images/stories/banyulecomment2.jpg"><img src="/images/stories/banyulecomment2thumb.jpg"></a>
Source: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/">Jellis Craig</a> Annual Property Review
“The more active buyers are those in the market for properties either side of $1 million. Properties located close to train stations and schools are attracting very healthy numbers at viewings, while those with difficult floor plans or not within easy access to public transport are more challenging.
“We will start to see solid listings in the coming months with an even mix of top end properties in Ivanhoe and Eaglemont and more affordable family homes on large blocks in neighbouring Rosanna and MacLeod.”
 
 
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cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Sales in tightly held Melbourne suburb of Ivanhoe up 21% in past two years: Jellis Craig

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Academy Award-nominated actor Toni Collette, the star of the TV series United States of Tara, and her musician husband, David Galafassi, are being sued over their failure to settle on an alleged $6 million Paddington terrace purchase (pictured above).
The initial directions hearing into the matter is scheduled for the NSW Supreme Court next Tuesday.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1" style="width: 470px;">
<thead><tr>
<td>
Date
</td>
<td>
Jurisdiction
</td>
<td>
Court
</td>
<td>
Presiding Officer
</td>
<td>
Court Room
</td>
<td>
Case 
</td>
</tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
21 Mar
</td>
<td>
Directions (Equity Registrar)
</td>
<td>
Civil
</td>
<td>
Supreme
</td>
<td>
Supreme Court Sydney
</td>
<td>
Susan Kelly v David Anthony Galafassi (Toni Galafassi)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
21 Mar
</td>
<td>
Directions (Equity Registrar)
</td>
<td>
Civil
</td>
<td>
Supreme
</td>
<td>
Supreme Court Sydney
</td>
<td>
Susan Kelly v David Anthony Galafassi (David Anthony Galafassi)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 
Last October the couple reputedly signed a contract to buy a double-fronted Paddington terrace from Susie Kelly, the co-founder and owner of Industrie clothing with her husband, Nick.
The Stewart Street house <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/actor-toni-collette-and-muso-david-galafassi-fall-for-the-charms-of-contemporary-inner-city-paddington/2011110752250">was snapped at an undisclosed price </a>– but understood to be slightly more than $6 million quite early in its October marketing campaign by McGrath agent Ben Collier.
Designed by architectAnthony Gill and completed in 2009, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom house on a 360-square-metre block sold for a record for the southern side of Oxford Street, Paddington.
Consisting of two classic Victorian terraces combined into a palatial single residence, the contemporary tri-level family retreat had been reinvented after the merger of two terraces costing $2.15 million in 2003 and $1.865 million in 2005.
The entertainment industry couple's plans went awry after they struggled to find a buyer of their Bronte house.
Their 1885 Bronte weatherboard cottage that cost $4.4 million in mid-2009 had been tipped to sell for around $3.5 million through its McGrath Estate Agents listing agent Bethwyn Richards, but still struggled to find a buyer.
Collette and Galafassi are accused of changing their minds on the Paddington purchase when they instead bought back at Bronte reputedly from the buyer of their own house.
The Kellys bought on Kutti Beach at Vaucluse last March for $15.5 million.
Property lawyers said the Supreme Court could find the contract binding and the entertainment industry couple could be forced to pay any shortfall if the Paddington terrace resold at less than its last sale price.
 
 
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Fickle Toni Collette being sued over property change of heart in Paddington

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Kate Aujard from Pulse Pharmacies has snapily sold her imposing Hawthorn residence.
With a tennis court in its 2,800-square-metre grounds, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom English-style house is set on Scotch Hill. It last traded at $9.1 million in 2007 when bought from head hunter David Dick and wife Sandra, so it represented a good test of Melbourne’s prestige market.
Tim Picken and Scott Patterson at Kay and Burton haven’t revealed the sale price, but Title Tattle reckons its likely to have sold at around the realistic quote price of $8 million in quick time – within two days of offers being due earlier this month.
 
 
 
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Fading price pulse in Hawthorn prestige market as Kate Aujard sells at a loss: Title Tattle

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There was an interesting admission on the point of real estate advertising from the new boss of News Ltd, Kim Williams.
"Research shows print media is a major influence on how vendors decide on choosing an agent for their listing presentation,'' he advised his real estate industry audience last week.
"Since listings are the lifeblood (for agents), I suggest print should be a non-negotiable part of anything that you do.''
Williams noted that despite increasing pressures from digital platforms, print media was therefore still powerful as a "brand enabler''.
The talk was attended by about 650 delegates from Brisbane's real estate industry, and Williams’ noteworthy comments were reported by the News Ltd journalist who attended.
The Quest Newspapers/The Courier-Mail Six Steps to Success in 2012 seminar was hosted by News Ltd real estate advertising director Tom Panos.
Pity about the 368,123 unsold properties around Australia.
It seems many of the desirous vendors are paying for print ads in News Ltd and Fairfax papers that do little more than assist the profile of their estate agency.
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News Ltd boss lifts lid on the big beneficiaries of print property advertising

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The historic gothic 1914 Mount Martha mansion Glynt Manor, briefly known as Demetri’s Castle, has been sold to the prominent Zampelis restaurateur family.
But the Zampelis family, who’ve operated more than 70 hospitality venues in Victoria since the late 1980s, including Cafe Greco, The Long Room, Lotus, Silk Road and Waterfront at Crown, have decided to lease out the property.
The Zampelis family snapped up the property for $3,399,000 – <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/demetri-s-castle-sells-for-%24900000-loss-not-including-televised-labour-of-love/2011111352335">which represented a $900,000 loss</a> in three years by the Commonwealth Bank in a mortgagee sale.
It had been initially listed by the vendors, hair and make-up artists Demetri and Lila Sideropoulos, at $6.5 million in 2010.
The nine-bedroom, eight-bathroom mansion was bought by the Greek couple in 2008 for $4.3 million from Michael Puttock and Diana Carr.
They then thoroughly renovated it into a family home and bed-and-breakfast on the SBS documentary Demetri’s Castle, a name that’s been abandoned by the new owners.
It sits on about 8,000 square metres, with views of Port Phillip Bay and the Melbourne lights in the distance. It was designed by Harold Desbrowe Annear as a single-storey farmhouse for the Henty family, descendants of Victoria's first European settlers.
It bears a similarity to another of his designs, Delgany at Portsea. Its later owners included the Buxton family from 1917 to 1983 when the then 31-hectare property featured sweeping lawns, orchards and farmlands that ran right to the edge of the bay.
In 1969 the family subdivided the property but retained the manor and two hectares of beautiful English- and French-inspired gardens.
In 1983 the property was sold to new owners, who restored the grand old manor and ran it as a tourism resort, naming it "Glynt By The Sea". It was again run as a bed-and-breakfast from the mid-1990s by the adventure travel pioneer Bill King.
Mark Callan and William Gilchrist bought the property in 1997 and commissioned Yarraville architect Hugh Basset to undertake some interior redesigns while the home's former gardener, Bob Barker, who started work at Glynt in the late 1920s, returned to restore the gardens.
The duo sold the property in 2000 for $2.35 million.
Last year the Sideropouloses indicated they were selling so they could pursue opportunities overseas, saying they didn't get attached to things. Geoff Smith from LJ Hooker Frankston sold last November, some four weeks after its scheduled October auction, and now has it up for rent.
ASIC documents indicate Smith was taking instructions from administrators of the holding company Mt Martha Landmark Pty Ltd.
The Zampelis Group owns seven restaurants/bars/cafes in the Melbourne area serving over 15,000 customers a week. Earlier this month The Age reported that Crown Casino faces a multimillion-dollar damages payout after Victoria's appeals tribunal found it breached a verbal agreement with Nick Zampelis to renew leases for his former riverside eateries.
The decision by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard Zampelis claimed former Crown owner Lloyd Williams and his two sons, Nick and John, told him the lease for the two venues,  Cafe Greco and Waterfront, would be extended by at least five years.
Despite denials by Lloyd Williams, his sons and Crown management, VCAT senior member Alan Vassie decided a ''collateral contract'' did exist and ordered for damages to be determined by an independent assessor. A Crown spokesman Gary O'Neill told Fairfax Media it would appeal the decision.
 
 
 
 
 
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