<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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Lend Lease recorded strong growth in off-the-plan sales of residential lots in the six-month period to December 31, 2011, but operating profits after tax remained steady at $220 million due to a slump in settlements. 
The developer recorded a 15% increase in residential lot pre-sales from 1,870 lots to 2,335 lots. 
Pre-sales represent contracts entered into before December 31, 2011 that have not settled and do not part of profit after tax in the current interim results. 
The number of residential land lots settled decreased by 28% compared with the previous period to 805 units, “principally as a result of fewer settlements in Victoria and South Australia, reflecting current market conditions and a number of projects approaching completion”. 
Lend Lease group CEO and managing director Steve McCann says residential sales are now taking 12 weeks from inquiry to conversion into sales.
“Slower trading is occurring in Queensland and South Australia, while Victoria is also heading down,” says McCann.
Strong sales were recorded in the Caroline Springs and Laurimar residential communities in Victoria and Springbank Rise in the ACT.
Lend Lease reached settlement on 805 residential land lots over the period valued at $196 million, compared with 1,116 lot settlements worth $250 million in the corresponding period in 2010. 
Over this period, the backlog of zoned residential units decreased marginally from 73,580 to 72,735. 
The average sales price per residential land lot increased by 9% to $243,850, reflecting a change in the product mix compared to the previous period. 
Eight residential communities will commence trading in the next 12 months. 
The company has 37 residential community projects in various stages of construction, including the mixed-use RNA Showgrounds redevelopment in Brisbane and Rocky Springs, a master-planned community 15 kilometres south east of Townsville. 
Over the six-month period to December 2011, Lend Lease secured interests in a number of major residential and mixed-used developments. 
Lend Lease was selected as the preferred proponent for the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/land/lend-lease-and-multiplex-vie-for-perth-waterbank-tender/2011092251649" target="_blank">Waterbank site redevelopment in Perth</a>. 
The project is a four-hectare mixed-use precinct on the banks of the Swan River and is proposed to include more than 700 residential apartments, a hotel, commercial offices, retail and substantial public spaces for residents and visitors. The project will be staged over 10 years and has an end development value of about $1 billion. 
The group also signed the development agreement for the Atherstone master-planned urban community project in Melton, Victoria.
The project will comprise about 4,500 dwellings with an estimated end value of $1.2 billion. 
Lend Lease also reported that the Queensland government had gazetted the Yarrabilba Development Scheme, “clearing the way for a new community of more than 45,000 people”. 
Yarrabilba is a master-planned urban community located south east of Brisbane, Queensland, which will comprise 14,185 residential land lots. 
The group also acquired an urban development site at Logan Reserve, south east of Brisbane, Queensland. The site is 48.3 hectares and will deliver approximately 500 lots.
 
 
 
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Lend Lease residential pre-sales up 15% but settlements down in weak market

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The Come-by-Chance Picnic racecourse and the adjoining 3,400-hectare farm holdings were passed in at auction last Friday.
There were four registered bidders. And the Gleneda property – with racecourse – has since been sold to the O’Brien family, Michael, Annie, Tom and Millie, shortly after its auction. The O'Briens own Kincora, Evandale and Bellevue, which is the neighbouring property to Gleneda. The Walgett grazier and dryland cropping farmer Michael O'Brien was named the 2009 NSW Farmer of the Year. His family's farm totals almost 40,000 hectares, where he runs a mixed Angus cattle and Dohne sheep livestock enterprise and dryland cropping.
The 1,683-hectare Gleneda property sold for $570 per acre, which amounts to $2,371,633.20.
Kia-Ora, the adjoining 1,717-hectare farm, was passed in at auction at $505 per acre, and negotiations are continuing with several parties.
Come-by-Chance is about 100 kilometres north west of Coonamble and 250 kilometres from Dubbo, and it has hosted a race meeting for more than 50 years.
The offering dates back to brothers George and William Colless, who happened across a block of land that had missed allocation after the 1861 Lands Act settlement.
Surprised, they purchased it and named their farm Come By Chance, acknowledging the good fortune connected with their find.
The Colless brothers later owned the post office, hotel, police station, blacksmith shop and cemetery.
At one stage Come-by-Chance was believed to be the only privately owned village in the southern hemisphere.
The town features in Banjo Paterson's wistful ballad Come-by-Chance.
Ray White Rural agents Brian McAneney and Don Schieb listed the holding in the middle of the so-called Golden Triangle, with buyers told the incoming purchaser would have immediate access to the cultivation for the 2012 season and would reap the benefits of the sorghum and lablab crop.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Come-by-Chance NSW farm with racecourse attracts four auction punters, and the neighbours emerge the winners

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Sir Graham McCamley has listed his 46,863-hectare central Queensland property, Glenprairie.
<img src="/images/stories/marlborough1.jpg">
Ray White Rural has instructions from McCamley, who celebrates his 80th birthday this year, that the Marlborough property be sold.
The property will be offered in three individual portions, with Oakley-Stoodleigh (13,650 hectares) and Tanderra (6539 hectares) currently forming Glenprairie West, to be offered as two lots on March 30 bare of stock and plant, followed by Glenprarie (26,678 hectares) in May on a walk-in walk-out basis, including the organic cattle herd and station plant.
The Land describes Glenprairie as arguably Australia's largest consistent supplier of weekly organic beef products to local and international markets.
<img src="/images/stories/marlborough2.jpg">
The property is an hour and a half north of Rockhampton and about two hours south of Mackay.
In the 1950s, its then owner, Sir William Angliss, constructed a 25-kilometre oil erosion control bank, which McCamley has maintained so that its soil protection has been achieved. Its owners have included the Vestey family and in the early 1990s it was owned by Perth entrepreneur Robert Holmes a Court.
<img src="/images/stories/marlborough3.jpg">
In 2005, McCamley and Lady (Shirley) McCamley, in partnership with Allen and Carolynne Nobbs, spent $106 million buying the 71-hectare holdings of Glenprairie, Fitzroy Vale and Lake Learmonth along with 26,000 head of cattle from Greek shipping tycoon Gregory Hadjieleftheriadis in Australia's biggest private rural property transaction.
McCamley, whose cattle operation had been based on the Tartrus station, indicated he had long coveted Glenprairie in particular.
Under the deal, McCamley took Glenprairie, and the Nobbs family took Fitzroy Vale and Lake Learmonth.
Lady McCamley died in an ultralight plane crash less than a week after announcing the initial listing of the the family's farm in early 2010.
 One of the first settled and oldest stations in Central Queensland, Glenprairie was established by the explorers and pastoralists William Landsborough and Nat Buchanan. 
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Sir Graham McCamley lists central Queensland station in three portions

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Today I'm coming to you from inside a plane. I'm writing this post en-route to Dallas, Texas from Sydney. Sure, the main purpose of the trip is a holiday, but I'm also there to observe on the local investment property market.
American property is slowly but surely recovering from its 2008-09 foreclosure nightmare, and while the US economy is not the best it has been, there are early indications that it's beginning to turn around. While I am certainly no economist and am aware that the above sentence is a bold statement, it does ring true when speaking to local agents and experts on the ground. There are certainly markets that are not recovering – in fact, that are getting worse (Cleveland, Houston, and Chicago, to name a few), but many other markets that have bottomed out and now showing signs of a slow recovery.  Suburbs in cities like Phoenix, Detroit, Seattle, and Houston have taken a huge hit in recent years, with some house values reduced down by over 70%. There are many stories of three-bedroom houses in good suburbs that were once fetching the $300,000 to $400,000 price range. These same houses today can be picked up for a fraction of this cost, many even in the sub-$100,000 bracket. So, if America is tipped for a comeback, many investors view these properties as “easy growth money”. Effectively; buying at the absolute rock bottom and then playing the waiting game in the years that follow. Sounds great in principle. But the question remains; do the complexities of not only procuring property in this country but holding and managing it from afar equal the potential for gains in future years? So, my trip will involve some research. I'll be sure to write post more in coming months as I learn about the market and the intricacies of holding property there. I personally have not taken the plunge into the US market. however I am considering it. But until then, I'll leave you with a list of some pros and cons of US investment property, written from the perspective of one young rookie investor to others like myself. Pros
<ul>
<li>Low entry point. For young investors in their 20s (or even late teens!) on limited incomes (say, under $50,000 per year) and limited initial deposit (say $25,000 of savings), the US is a very appealing market.</li>
<li>To buy a US property, you must get a mortgage from a US bank. These mortgages are typically one to three percentage points below AU ones, thereby reducing interest and repayments from day one, which is great.</li>
<li>The biggest pro is that most buys are instantly cashflow-positive. This means that even if the US takes years to recover (resulting in zero capital growth for a few years), the rental returns are still very decent. For instance, some four-bedroom houses in areas of Texas and Arizona are able to command around $250 per week in rent ($1,000 per month). You could command the same weekly rent ($250) in Australia for, say, an outer-suburban two-bedroom apartment, the difference? That 2-bedroom apartment in Australia may cost you $220,000-$260,000 to buy, whereas the four-bed house may only cost $100,000 to $120,000. Already, you are ahead here.</li>
<li>Prices in some markets have bottomed out so much that there is nowhere to go but upwards. As in, the houses can't get cheaper because at the rates they are now, they literally cover the cost of the bricks, roof, and fittings, with the land value being that of basic rural acreage. So there is very little chances values can actually get “worse” in such places.</li>
<li>With that said, there is a great opportunity for capital growth. While it is a gamble in terms of knowing which cities/states are likely to recover first; there is certainly excellent potential for a property that is both high on rental-return and capital growth (which is a rarity in Australia).</li>
</ul>
Tax benefits. I need to explore these further; but my basic understanding is that it could be tax-advantageous for those earning under $50,000 a year to hold an investment property in the US. Cons: <ul>
<li>Whilst entry costs are low, they are not without their complications and restrictions in terms of finance. For example, the minimum mortgage product a bank will sell you is $50,000 of mortgage (actual value of the loan). Yet they still command a hefty deposit (typically one-third of the buy rate). So if you're buying a $75,000 house, you'd need $25,000 down as deposit/savings, a $50,000 mortgage, plus other buying costs (legals, fees, inspections, research, etc,)</li>
<li>You need legal counsel in both countries when settling a US buy, so in other words, doubling the legal cost you'd spend in Australia.</li>
<li>One of the biggest barriers is this: there is a perception that you can pay a local company in Australian to help find you an American investment. This is true, but sadly there is no way to avoid a trip to the US. Why? To legally own property in the US, you must have an American bank account. To set up an American bank account, you must do it in person, in America (physically signing documents in person and not by fax/email). There's no getting around this. So, instantly, you're adding (at minimum) $2,000 to your overhead costs to do a fly in/fly out to get a bank account. You could get one in Hawaii, which is cheaper travel costs than the mainland, but if you're flying all that way, might as well have a holiday! If it's viable though, try to go to the neighbourhoods/suburbs you're considering, while you are there, to get a feel for their amenity, stature, position etc.</li>
<li>You really need a local buyers’ agent/specialist to help find the best property for you, which in itself isn't a con, however, this involves additional costs.</li>
<li>I'm yet to fully explore the tax complications (and benefits) of US property, but you'll need to file a tax return annually in both countries, so in other words, more admin. Plus for your US tax return, you'll need to pay a professional to help you, so there will be more costs.</li>
<li>Managing real estate agents, regardless of what you think of them locally are infinitely worse in America! They care less, command more of a cut of the rent, and sometimes don't bother to screen tenants properly. This is especially bad because American laws are set up to protect the tenant more than the landlord. You cannot rely on the agent to sort good quality tenants</li>
<li>Further, ever wonder why American inner-city areas can be so dirty, yet suburban housing estates in those same cities can be so pretty, clean, and tree-lined? Well, most city councils enact an “owner pays” approach to violations in keeping the neighbourhood clean. For example, if a tenant continually ignores water restrictions and washes his car on the footpath at hours in violation to rules, a large fine is issued. The problem? It is not issued to the tenant, but rather the property owner. This makes you liable for your tenants' local mishaps. Similar fines exist for rubbish on front lawns, improper use of refuse/recycling bins etc. In effect, you will have to pay for your tenants' bad behaviour.</li>
<li>Your tenant could also break the lease without penalty. In Australia, your agent would get the tribunal involved and blacklist the tenant, making it harder for him to ever source another rental. This system doesn't really exist in America. A deposit is not always mandatory, meaning that a tenant will just rent a competing property to yours that isn’t charging such a deposit. There is insurance to help protect landlords, but these policies are quite expensive.</li>
</ul>
Cameron McEvoy is a property investor and maintains a blog, <a href="https://propertyspectator.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Property Spectator.</a>
 
 
 
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cmcevoy-Go82SmsJA9

The pros and cons of investing in US residential property

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The funeral of the doyen of Sydney interior decorators Leslie Walford will be held at St Marks, Darling Point on Monday, February 20, 2012 commencing at 3 pm.
He died on February 13 peacefully at the Sacred Heart Hospice, Darlinghurst.
<img src="/images/stories/walford.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">The Society of Interior Designers suggests Walford was one of the best-known figures in Australia in interior design having worked at the top levels of design for several decades, not only in Australia but also in Europe, Asia and the UK.
His business, Walford and Horgan Interiors – regarded by many as a byword for excellence in design – had many wealthy clients that included the media tycoons Reg Grundy and the Fairfax, Murdoch and Packer families.
He was described this week as “the man who 70 years ago began the slide away from drab interiors filled with Victorian brown furniture,” by John Furphy at the Australian Art Sales Digest.
"A good antique can be more of a friend than an object that doesn't have a past," Walford repeatedly suggested.
Surrounded by an eclectic collection of furniture and artwork, he celebrated his 85th birthday last month at his Double Bay penthouse, but abandoned his regular sojourn to <a target="_blank" href="/news">his Sri Lanka villa</a> due to his deterioriating health.
His entertaining tips were published in <a target="_blank" href="https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&amp;dat=19830206&amp;id=gp1WAAAAIBAJ&amp;sjid=BucDAAAAIBAJ&amp;pg=6419,1954543">a 1983 interview piece</a>.
His funeral notice acknowledged he was the dear friend of Richard (Dick) Keep and of Colin Davies.
When he was two years old Walford’s father died and his mother took him from Sydney to England for his schooling, and from there he went to Paris to study design.
It was in Paris that he developed a passion for period furniture, returning to Australia aged 27.  In 1957 he established an antiques and decorating business in Double Bay's Knox Street.
Walford, who was proud his parents had convict ancestors, grew up with a love of Sydney.
He was a foundation member of the Society of Interior Designers and its national president from 1965 to 1966 and again from 1978 to 1979.
He was very much tapped into the Sydney social set – and for many years wrote <a target="_blank" href="https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Ef1jAAAAIBAJ&amp;sjid=JOcDAAAAIBAJ&amp;pg=1549,8720788&amp;dq=leslie+walford&amp;hl=en">a weekly Sunday paper column</a>, Our Town.
The bits and pieces that he’s sold to clients over the years turns up occasionally at auction, such as a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mossgreen.com.au/auctions/artwork-detail.asp?idImage=3267">1957 acquisition</a> of an American feather picture of the eagle and flag.
In recognition of his contribution to the profession Walford was made a life fellow of the Design Institute of Australia, and in 2008 he was inducted into the DIA Design Hall of Fame.
Some of his collection was auctioned on his retirement in 2007 by auctioneer Mossgreen.
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Interior designer Leslie Walford, who heralded the push away from drab interiors, to be buried next week

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Actor Nicole Kidman has failed to sell the final piece of her beachfront holding on the NSW far south coast. 

Kidman purchased the Rosedale holding as part of a $4 million outlay on the coastal strip in 2004. She has already recouped $3 million, selling two of the properties to Canberrans.
Before the auction buyers were being told to expect to pay around $800,000, but when the last portion went to auction last weekend it did not sell.
<img src="/images/stories/kidmanland2.jpg">
The vacant 1,009-square-metre block had been for sale since 2008 at $1.2 million plus through Michael Skuse of LJ Hooker Batemans Bay. It has 21 metres of beach frontage on Knowlman Road. 

It was 2004 when Angus Hawley, Nicole's then brother-in-law, first swooped into town by helicopter to bid on the rare beachfront offering offered by the Knowlman farming family from Goulburn, who had paid £35 in 1929. Rosedale locals say Kidman has been there only a handful of times since 2004. 
 
 
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Nicole Kidman's south coast NSW beachfront land fails to sell at auction

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The NSW corruption watchdog will investigate allegations of corruption involving former boxer Lucky Gattellari, Ron Medich Developments and Narooma south coast land council.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will hold a public inquiry commencing on Monday, February 27, 2012 as part of an investigation it is conducting into allegations of corrupt conduct concerning former chairman of the Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council Ron Mason, former Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council coordinator Ken Foster, and former and current Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Vanessa Mason.
It is alleged that between March 2005 and April 2006, Mason and Foster received corrupt benefits from Fortunato (Lucky) Gattellari in return for facilitating negotiations between the Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council, Gattellari, Ron Medich Developments Pty Ltd and Waterview Developments Pty Ltd.
The Commission is also investigating an allegation that between January 2008 and April 2010, Mason received corrupt benefits from Gattellari in return for facilitating negotiations between the Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council, Gattellari and Waterview Developments Pty Ltd.
The public inquiry will be heard by ICAC assistant commissioner Theresa Hamilton, with expectations it will continue for between three and five days.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/tasmanian-tigers-keep-watch-over-the-point-piper-harbourfront-mansion-of-the-much-accused-ron-medich/2011112852588" target="_blank">Ron Medich </a>and Lucky Gattellari have both been charged over the September 2009 murder of Sydney businessman Michael McGurk.
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Ron Medich faces another ICAC inquiry - this one over Narooma land council dealings

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<img src="/images/stories/collettegum.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Academy Award-nominated actor Toni Collette, the star of the TV series United States of Tara, and her musician husband, David Galafassi, are set to stay at Bronte ... and not move to Paddington. The couple had decided mid-last year that rather than undertake an expensive Bronte renovation, they’d buy elsewhere. They<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/actor-toni-collette-and-muso-david-galafassi-fall-for-the-charms-of-contemporary-inner-city-paddington/2011110752250" target="_blank"> quickly secured a $6 million Paddington property</a>, but then <a href="https://www.google.com.au/search?rlz=1C1CHKB_en-GBAU429AU429&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;q=site%3Awww.propertyobserver.com.au+colette" target="_blank">struggled to find a buyer for their redundant unrenovated hillside house</a>. Their 1885 Bronte weatherboard cottage that cost $4.4 million in mid-2009 was tipped to sell for around $3.5 million through its McGrath Estate Agents listing agent Bethwyn Richards. When the buyer finally came along just before Christmas, it seems the entertainment industry couple decided to do a tidy swap deal.
They bought their buyer’s own house in Bronte, which was topped up by some cash given the price difference. The location and price of their newly acquired Bronte house has not yet emerged, but Title Tattle, disguised as a forgotten umbrella at a recent open for inspection, gleans it was the $5.5 million house that the Turnbull family have sold through Di Jones agents Catherine Dixon and Louise Snowden. Title Tattle loves the gum tree on the very private 1,100-square-metre hillside estate. Meanwhile the double-fronted Paddington purchase – which was bought from Nick and Susie Kelly, the founders and owners of Industrie clothing – seems now set to be relisted once all the intertwined settlement resolution issues are finalised. It had been snapped at an undisclosed price – but understood to be slightly more than $6 million quite early in its October marketing campaign by McGrath agent Ben Collier. Designed by architect Anthony Gill and completed in 2009, the five-bedroom, four-bathroom house on a 360-square-metre block was 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 to embrace light flooded indoor/outdoor living. The two terraces cost $2.15 million in 2003 and $1.865 million in 2005.
Collette and Galafassi, parents of baby son Arlo and three-year-old daughter Sage, recently stayed in Bronte but rented the redundant house of media tycoon Lachlan Murdoch and his wife, model Sarah, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/lachlan-and-sarah-murdoch-re-list-their-bronte-house/2011092251653" target="_blank">which remains for sale</a> through Christies International.


 
<img src="/images/stories/adelaidest.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 5px;">
Expatriate Tim Throsby, the global head of equity derivatives at J. P.Morgan, has listed his Darling Point apartment. The six-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment is in the 1915 Babworth House (pictured above and below), a grand Arts and Crafts-style mansion that was adapted into apartments 10 years ago. Babworth House was built as the home of retailer Sir Samuel Hordern. Spanning three levels, the apartment includes the original panelled ballroom. It last traded at $8.1 million in 2006 when sold by Phil and Ann-Maree Kerry, and $8 million plus was being sought on its brief 2010 listing.
<img src="/images/stories/adelaidest2.jpg">
After a tip-off on its availability from Title Tattle, the then Channel Nine boss Eddie McGuire and his wife, Carla, rented the apartment during their Sydney sojourn. In 2006, learning quickly of the divide between the north shore and eastern suburbs in Sydney, McGuire sought to rent in the east, while working in Willoughby. His neighbours included the late executive chairman of Macquarie Bank, David Clarke, and his wife, Jane, the late longtime Walt Disney product licensee Walter Granger and his wife, Joy, and the director of Argo Investments, Robert Rich, and his wife, Helen. The apartment has been listed through Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay agents Martin Maskin and Michael Pallier. Throsby and his wife, Helen, spent $5.6 million to upgrade their Bilgola retreat to a beachfront property, Cobblestones, in 2010.
 
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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/feb17monash]}
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Rock Lee, the Clontarf abode (pictured above) of the former Valad chairman Stephen Day, has been listed for sale. Its LJ Hooker Seaforth agent David Rothschild describes it as an “exquisite” home – one of Sydney's finest. The Monash Crescent property was bought by Day’s wife, Sarah, for $5.65 million in 2005. With beach access, the contemporary residence was designed by architect Jon King featuring a north-west aspect. Accommodation consists of five bedrooms, four mosaic-tiled bathrooms, plus off-street parking for four cars and garaging for two more. There’s a dumbwaiter that services every floor, while a large climate-controlled wine cellar and a custom-designed home office complete the picture. The house features Italian anthracite (limestone) floors and walls, a multi-zoned Sonos sound system, keyless entry, underfloor heating, ducted reverse-cycle air-conditioning, two 5,000-litre rainwater tanks and a sophisticated security system. The couple thought about selling this time last year, but have now launched their marketing campaign, no doubt with suburb price record expectations.
<img src="/images/stories/grandview.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Radio personality Barry Bissell, who hosted Take 40 Australia for 20 years, is selling his ground floor Prahran apartment (pictured above). The debonair and a snazzy dresser who was the voice of FOX FM for 20 years has lived at the 1928 apartment for 12 years and is seeking larger premises. The two-bedroom gracious apartment has kauri pine floors and central heating, and it is close to trams, trains and schools. Kay &amp; Burton’s Scott Patterson and Chris Alcock have the listing, and expectations are for an $800,000-plus sale.
<img src="/images/stories/newbeachrd.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Marilynne Paspaley has listed Rillworth (pictured above), the 1910 Darling Point residence, through McGrath agent Ben Collier. With grand interiors, the five-bedroom house comes with harbour views from its 690-square-metre New Beach Road block. It last traded 21 years at $1.75 million in 1990. Offers are due March 16. Pinctada Cable Beach Spa Resort, the flagship of Paspaley’s hospitality group, has been honoured with back-to-back gold accolades at the Western Australian Tourism Awards.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/feb15caroline]}
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">It was in 1996 when a pretty, double-fronted Victorian then unrenovated eight-room Caroline Street, South Yarra brick-and-timber house (pictured above) last sold. Its selling agent Philippe Batters was just about to knock the hammer down the house when a woman stopped the auction to ask the highest $645,000 bidder, “Are you going to develop it? We are neighbours, and we want to know". The answer was duly given and now the lovely time capsule has returned to the market with its Peter Carmichael redesign by the Liberman family for all to inspect. The light-filled house, with open-plan living and dining areas and adjacent outdoor entertaining spaces, comes with many modern features including Scandinavian myrtle floors and hydronic heating. Offers are due on the house, which sits on an 895-square-metre block, by February 28 through Darren Lewenberg and Gowan Stubbings at Kay &amp; Burton.
The modern home behind its Victorian façade was briefly listed last July through Justin Long at Marshall White with $4 million-plus hopes, which were revised to $3.75 million plus. Set on an 1840 subdivision, the lot first sold in 1854 for £200. The 1870s the brick additions to the earlier cottage were made for grocer George Walker, who’d purchased the property for £600 in 1870. It’s believed Walker also added the Italianate front wing with its polychromatic brick and twin bay windows.
 
<img src="/images/stories/wolesleyrd.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">
At Point Piper in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, they are getting serious now about marketing the home of recruitment queen Julia Ross (pictured above). The hillside Wolseley Road offering was discreetly put on the market late last year, but now is having a big campaign. The trophy residence has $40 million-plus hopes through Ken Jacobs of Christie's Great Estates and LJ Hooker Double Bay's Bill Malouf. Villa del Mare, the limestone palazzo sits on a 1,508-square-metre block. Its stonework was installed by Chris Norris when built in the late 1990s by the developer Nati Stoliar to a design by architect Chris Tsioulos of CMT Architects. Title Tattle would suggest it’s almost certain to sell to Chinese buyers.
<img src="/images/stories/pibrac2.jpg">
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">The Londish family have listed Roseburn (pictured above), the 1901 Warrawee residence set on 3,700 square metres. The six-bedroom residence was designed by the renowned Federation architect Howard Joseland for George Gillespie, of the Gillespie flour-milling family. Standing behind tall wrought-iron gates, Roseburn was named after the Gillespie family home in Edinburgh, Scotland. In the expansive grounds surrounding the house are a tennis court and swimming pool. In 1992, the 21-room mansion was bought for $3.15 million by Ian Londish, son of the property developer Sid Londish. Londish bought it from Bill Keighran, the former Freedom Furniture director and wife Lynette, who’d bought it from then Pioneer Concrete boss Rod Price for $2.8 million in early 1992. It comes with soaring entry foyer, grand entertaining areas including formal lounge and dining rooms with marble fireplaces, and high french doors opening to a deep covered terrace. The grounds also come with rolling lawns and spa with cabana. It’s been listed by Don MacLennan at Richardson &amp; Wrench Lindfield in conjunction with Tracey McDonald at Chadwick Real Estate. It last sold in 1992 at $3.15 million.
<img src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg" style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;">Menno van Uden, the presumably very busy head of risk and corporate credit at the Royal Bank of Scotland, has spent $3.1 million in Kirribilli. The property last sold at $2.05 million in 2001. It was listed through LJH Hooker agent Emma Brown in June last year with $3,425,000 hopes. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, founded in 1727, has been in Australia since 1974.
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Actor Toni Collette changes her mind over Paddo and buys again in Bronte: Title Tattle

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David Hyde Pierce, better known as Dr Niles Crane from Frasier, has listed his 1929-built Los Angeles mansion for US$7.5 million.
The Emmy Award winner and his sitcom writer-producer husband Brian Hargrove originally paid US$3.625 million for the property in 2003.
The gated seven-bedroom home, originally built for transportation industry executive O.R. Fuller, was heavily restored by in 2004 with all renovations incorporating the 1920s design.
The Spanish Colonial Revival home opens through a huge rotunda entrance with Mexican paver tiles into the “gracious” living room replete with a baronial fireplace which leads into the banquet sized formal dining room with a hand stencilled wood ceiling and French doors that open to city views.
On the main floor is a butler’s pantry, an elongated octagonal breakfast room with wood beamed ceiling and an enormous kitchen with intricate roof tiling.
The original grand staircase remains intact, sweeping up with a wrought iron balustrade. It leads up to the library with floor to ceiling bookshelves, three bedrooms and marble bathrooms.
Pierce enjoyed a healthy lifestyle here with the lower level including a large private gym, a sauna, a lengthy pool and an outdoor spa.
The 760 square metre home has eight bathrooms and comes with a wine vault and a cozy home theatre perfect for watching Frasier reruns.
The property also includes a separate guest house on the 3700 square metre block of land.
The couple might be poised to move to New York City where they own a penthouse apartment they bought in 2005 for US$2.5 million. After buying that they spent US$772,000 in 2006 on a 3.5 room apartment on the floor below.
They recently bought an ocean front house in Amagansett  for US$6.3 million in 2010.
 
 
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David Hyde Pierce of Frasier fame lists in LA

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<a target="_blank" href="https://Realestate.com.au">Realestate.com.au</a> continues to dominate the online real estate landscape with as many unique visitors and double the page impressions of the next nine biggest real estate websites added together, according to Google Ad Planner.
<a href="https://Realestate.com.au">Realestate.com.au</a> had 3.8 million unique visitors and 300 million page views for January.
This was followed by Domain, Real Estate View and Home Hound at the top of the list.
Real estate portal commentator and former CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://realestate.com.au">realestate.com.au</a> Simon Baker says nothing has changed over the last 10 years.
“The funny thing is nothing has changed over the last decade.  Ten years ago <a target="_blank" href="https://realestate.com.au">realestate.com.au</a> was the most popular site – double the size of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/">Domain</a>, followed by <a target="_blank" href="https://Property.com.au">Property.com.au</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/">Real Estate View </a>and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.homehound.com.au/">Home Hound</a>,” he writes.
“<a target="_blank" href="https://Property.com.au">Property.com.au</a> was purchased by <a target="_blank" href="https://realestate.com.au">realestate.com.au</a> (REA Group now) in 2003.”
Franchise group websites were not included on the list of portals but had they been included, LJ Hooker and Ray White would have made the top 10, with Raine &amp; Horne just missing out.
In 1999 IMR Worldwide published a list of the top 40 websites. <a target="_blank" href="https://Realestate.com.au">Realestate.com.au</a> was ranked as the 40th most popular website in Australia, with 67,000 page views a month.
Google Ad Planner is a web analytics tool that allows potential advertisers to research what are the biggest sites.
Facebook.com is the most visited website in Australia with 17 billion page views, according to Google estimates.
This is followed by Youtube.com and Live.com.
 
 
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