Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

Joel Robinson

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

WM Residences fills gap in Mordialloc townhouse market

&nbsp;

Developer GURNER™ Group has revealed $1.65 billion in residential sales nationally across the 12 months to December 2025, driven largely by the continued momentum of its Docklands wellness-focused precinct, Elysium Fields.

The sales result was generated across seven projects in Victoria and New South Wales, headlined by Elysium Fields, GURNER™’s $2.75 billion mixed-use precinct planned for Harbour Esplanade in Docklands.

The project has recorded more than $500 million in sales across the first three towers, equating to around 580 apartments sold.

The first tower, Helios, has now sold out of its 240 private residences, with GURNER™ preparing to release a premium penthouse collection comprising 15 three-bedroom penthouses in coming weeks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370975]

Elysium Fields is being developed on the long-held 20,000 sqm Docklands site at 208-226 Harbour Esplanade, which had remained undeveloped for more than two decades prior to GURNER™ taking over the project around four years ago.

Construction has now commenced across four towers ranging between 18 and 30 storeys, with Hamilton Marino and Maxcon appointed as builders.

Once complete, the precinct is expected to comprise around 1,100 residences, alongside retail, hospitality and public realm uses integrated throughout the site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370981]

Designed by Fraser &amp; Partners in collaboration with GURNER™ Design House, the project has been positioned around the developer’s broader focus on wellness-led residential living.

“We don’t sell apartments. We create a true luxury lifestyle that simply doesn’t exist elsewhere in the market today,” Founder and Executive Chairman Tim Gurner said.

“To deliver that requires an extraordinary level of detail, coordination and discipline across multiple verticals, from design and hospitality through to wellness and service.”

“We’ve always believed that living extends far beyond the physical residence. It’s about how you feel the moment you arrive, how you live day-to-day, and the ecosystem that supports that.” 
[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370977]

The project’s design places a heavy focus on landscaping, wellness amenities and biophilic design principles.

Plans include around 3,700 sqm of landscaped gardens and open space throughout the precinct, alongside a retail and dining offering spanning approximately 5,000 sqm.

The broader public realm strategy centres around what GURNER™ describes as the “Path of Life”, an urban forest and landscaped pedestrian environment intended to connect the various buildings and wellness spaces across the precinct.

The apartments themselves will incorporate a range of wellness-focused inclusions, including purified air and water systems, circadian lighting, antimicrobial surfaces, and optional in-home wellness upgrades.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370980]

Gurner said the company’s experience through its Saint Haven wellness clubs had directly informed the residential offering now being incorporated into Elysium Fields.

“We’re seeing a clear global shift toward longevity, performance and proactive health,” Gurner said.

“Our role is to deliver that in a way that feels seamless, highly private and beautifully resolved within the environments we create.”

A large component of the wellness offering is planned through the resident amenity and health facilities proposed within the precinct.

That includes plans for bathing and recovery facilities spread throughout the towers, incorporating mineral pools, saunas, steam rooms, flotation therapy, red light therapy and wellness lounges.

The developer is also seeking approvals for what it describes as a “reverse ageing medical clinic” within the precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370978]

According to project information released by the group, the proposed facility would include cryotherapy, IV infusion therapy, infrared and dry saunas, PEMF beds, MRIs, DEXA scans, brain scans and blood analysis services.

Within the first tower, Helios, residents will also have access to a dedicated amenity offering known as the Sky Private Club.

The upper 15 levels of the building will include private lounges, dining spaces, rooftop amenities and optional private wellness studios integrated within residences.

The Helios tower itself comprises 260 apartments ranging between 60 sqm and 300 sqm, including a collection of penthouses.

That includes a planned two-storey penthouse spanning around 600 sqm with uninterrupted bay views.

The Elysium Fields precinct is being delivered in partnership with Digital Harbour Holdings, a consortium that includes the Liberman family, which controls the development rights across the Docklands site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144441 project_image_fid=370979]

The sales result comes as GURNER™ continues expanding its national development pipeline beyond Victoria.

“We have a strong pipeline across Australia and are now focused on scaling into key markets including New South Wales and Queensland, while continuing to build on our Melbourne base,” Gurner said.

“We currently have more than $3 billion in the market, growing to over $5 billion by October, and expect to materially outperform last year in the 2026 calendar year.”

The result also reflects the continued strength of the upper-end apartment market in Melbourne, particularly for owner-occupier-focused product with large-scale amenity and lifestyle offerings.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144441]

Record result anchored by the Group’s “utopian” Elysium Fields precinct – defying market headwinds in Docklands.

Elysium Fields drive Gurner to $1.65 billion in apartment sales over 2025

National Australia Bank (NAB) will fund <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/palmera-residences-gold-coast-18-garfield-terrace-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Palmera</a>, a $1 billion, 52-level luxury residential tower being developed by Central Equity in one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held coastal locations at Northcliffe.

The project, launched recently by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/central-equity">Central Equity</a>, one of Victoria’s largest private residential developers, comes at a time when construction funding for large residential developments has become increasingly competitive as lenders tighten exposure to the sector.

Multiplex has been appointed the builder, and construction is now underway.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365784]

Since its first project, Central Equity has delivered more than 85 residential developments with a combined end value exceeding $8 billion.

Palmera reflects Central Equity’s growing focus on the Gold Coast luxury apartment market and continues a relationship between Central Equity and NAB that dates back to the late 1980s, when the bank funded one of Melbourne’s earliest inner-city residential towers at a time when high-rise apartment living in the CBD was largely unproven.

“NAB’s funding of Central Equity’s $36 million CBD development in the late 1980’s to the financing of the billion-dollar tower today highlights the long-term relationship between the two organisations in delivering major residential projects” said Central Equity Founder and Chairman Eddie Kutner.

He said NAB’s early support was instrumental in helping establish the company’s development model.

“When we commenced our first residential tower in the late 1980s the concept of funding off-the-plan apartments was still largely untested in Australia,” Kutner said.

“NAB recognised the opportunity early and supported the project when others were uncertain. That relationship has now continued for more than 37 years across many developments.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365771]

Central Equity was established in 1987 when Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank precinct were still dominated by warehouses and commercial buildings. Fewer than 100 residents lived in Southbank at the time, and large-scale residential development in the inner city was not widely considered.

Recognising changing demographics and lifestyle preferences, the company began developing high-rise residential projects designed to bring permanent residents into the city centre.

Central Equity has provided accommodation for approximately 40,000 residents across Melbourne’s CBD and Southbank, while also incorporating supporting infrastructure including essential lifestyle facilities like retail spaces, childcare facilities and neighbourhood activity centres.

Central Equity has spent many years assembling the Palmera development site on the corner of Garfield Terrace and Frederick Street in Northcliffe, creating a supersite of around 3,300 sqm.

The developer said the Palmera apartment tower reflects its long-term view of the Gold Coast as a growing and increasingly diversified economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365768]

Supported by infrastructure including the light rail network, major road upgrades expanded education, hospital and medical facilities and continued expansion at the Gold Coast Airport with more international and domestic flights.

Positioned in the tightly held Northcliffe precinct, the 52-level tower will deliver 347 apartments, targeting buyers seeking a high-end coastal lifestyle, from downsizers to interstate investors.

Designed by Marchese Partners with interiors by DBI, Palmera has been conceived as a next-generation residential offering, featuring a collection of oversized apartments, with premium three-bedroom residences offering sweeping northern views stretching from Surfers Paradise through to Burleigh Heads.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108274]

NAB funds $1 billion Surfers Paradise apartment development, Palmera

Two years after completing one of the newest developments in North Sydney, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aqualand-australia">Aqualand</a> is turning its attention to the rapidly evolving St Leonards apartment market.

The developer, which completed AURA by Aqualand on North Sydney's Walker Street, has lodged plans for a 5,918 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/33-37-herbert-street-st-leonards-nsw-2065">33-37 Herbert Street, St Leonards,</a> seeking approval for a pair of residential towers rising above a shared podium opposite Royal North Shore Hospital.

The proposal forms part of the broader transformation underway across the St Leonards-Crows Nest precinct, where former industrial and commercial sites are increasingly being redeveloped into high-density mixed-use projects tied to major transport infrastructure.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2cc428cf-fe70-4cac-9cd5-264ad53af62c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=otKSnHtbjAvAddOnovyXQMgcAwE6DMe1" />

According to the planning documents, the site sits “within the St Leonards–Crows Nest Strategic Centre, identified by the NSW Government as a key area for accommodating future jobs and housing across Sydney.”

The proposal has been designed by fjcstudio, formerly FJMT Studio, and is being progressed through the State Significant Development pathway due to its scale and affordable housing provision.

The scheme would comprise 413 apartments, including 46 affordable housing units, alongside retail and commercial uses fronting Herbert Street. The project would also include communal open space, landscaping, a swimming pool, gymnasium, children’s play areas and podium-level resident amenities.

Planning documents show the development would consist of a part-13, part-39 storey tower form positioned above a four-storey podium.

“The development comprises a unified podium that activates the street interface, and two setback towers to accommodate new housing supply while maintaining an appropriate human scale at ground level,” fjcstudio noted in its Design Report.

The northern and southern towers have been shaped to respond to the surrounding skyline while also limiting overshadowing impacts to nearby public open space, particularly Talus Reserve.

The design report said the differing tower heights were intended to “contribute to a varied skyline while responding to the surrounding built form context and solar access considerations.”

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36da62dc-ff9e-41f2-a7e3-7be38373751c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.45%E2%80%AFAM_0.png?VersionId=Mo6Rp2r.XRLTzIfg_PEEpw8NepDH8UBs" />

The site sits directly opposite Royal North Shore Hospital and within walking distance of both St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

While the site itself sits just outside the formal Crows Nest Transport Oriented Development boundary, the planning documents repeatedly reference its alignment with the broader TOD objectives reshaping the Lower North Shore.

“The site is located adjacent to St Leonards Station and in close proximity to Crows Nest Metro which is within the Crows Nest Transit Orientated Development Accelerated Precinct which has been identified by the NSW Government to support housing delivery,” the Design Verification Statement noted.

According to fjcstudio, the project has been designed to respond to the broader transition occurring across St Leonards, where increasing residential density is being concentrated around transport infrastructure and employment hubs.

“The broader precinct is undergoing significant change, with a mix of existing mid-rise buildings and newer high-density developments,” the report stated.

“Recent and approved projects indicate a consistent shift toward taller built form, typically organised as tower-and-podium typologies with more active ground levels.”

The proposal includes close to 6,000 sqm of retail and commercial space across the ground floor and podium levels, designed to create a more activated street edge along Herbert Street.

Aqualand’s plans would also introduce a landscaped podium shared between the two towers, with communal open space in the form of a podium rooftop designed to support resident interaction and improve urban greening outcomes. The scheme would also introduce pocket parks at the northern and southern ends of the site, including a landscaped area at the corner of Herbert and Ella streets designed to improve pedestrian amenity and soften the streetscape.

&nbsp;

The proposal is being progressed through the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority pathway, which was introduced to accelerate housing supply across the state. The application was declared State Significant Development in April 2025 following an expression of interest process.

<img alt="Aqualand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="faf6d97d-2671-454f-b85a-fe1c6a7be608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%209.51.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=diVd28OBVr5.YV.7prrOz.uAanwwwm7a" />

St Leonards has been particularly active with new developments in recent weeks. Developer SP Setia’s <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-sp-setia-targets-st-leonards-skyline-with-40-storey-tod-tower">plans for a new 42-storey tower</a> recently went on exhibition through the same pathway, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">Stockland’s 52-storey tower proposal</a> was also recently unveiled.

Aside from the St Leonards project, which is expected to take around nine months to move through the approvals process ahead of a potential 2027 launch, Aqualand is also preparing to launch Boronia, a new apartment project in Roseville comprising around 111 apartments on Larkin Street.

The developer also has approvals in place for the next stage of the Barangaroo precinct, which will feature new residential, retail, hospitality and community uses, alongside a new metro entry across the five-hectare site.

More than 50 new retail destinations are planned for Central Barangaroo, alongside a 270-metre-long boulevard connecting Hickson Park to Nawi Cove. Together with Harbour Park, more than 50 per cent of the precinct will comprise public open space and parkland.

First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party

Roberts Co has entered a new phase of growth following its acquisition by Arada, one of the world’s fastest-growing property developers in Australia.

The acquisition is supported by a $50 million capital injection into Roberts Co’s Australian balance sheet, consisting of the previously announced $25 million recapitalisation and an additional $25 million in new funding from Arada.

This investment strengthens Roberts Co’s financial position, stabilises operations, and provides the foundation for strategic expansion beyond its New South Wales base, with a focus on new opportunities in Queensland, including the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions.

With Arada’s international resources and financial backing, Roberts Co will broaden its portfolio across residential, commercial, and infrastructure sectors, reinforcing its strong market position in New South Wales and setting itself to capture growth in one of Australia’s most dynamic construction markets.

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, said Roberts Co has a proud Australian heritage, an outstanding delivery record, and a strong reputation for collaboration with clients and partners.

"By combining this expertise with Arada’s global scale and financial capacity, we are creating a platform for sustained growth in the Australian market,"&nbsp;Alkhoshaibi said.

“Our $50 million capital injection, including new funds from Arada, underlines our commitment to both stabilise and expand Roberts Co’s operations, particularly into the fast-growing Queensland market. We see significant potential in South-East Queensland’s pipeline and are confident Roberts Co is well placed to deliver lasting value for clients and communities.”

George Kostas, CEO of Roberts Co, said Queensland, and particularly South-East Queensland, is one of the most active and opportunity-rich regions in Australia right now.

"The lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games will bring unprecedented investment across housing, transport, and infrastructure. Roberts Co is eager to play a major role in that transformation and secure a meaningful share of this fast-growing market.”

Arada pours more funds into Roberts Co, flags expansion into South East Queensland construction market

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A $4.2 million refurbishment is planned for the forthcoming The Block Octagonal series.
The development application proposes seven whole-floor apartments, each with three bedrooms.
It is not known how many contestant couples there will be, with rumours of a competition between the alumni of rival Block and House Rules television shows going head to head.
 
<img src="/images/2014/10/24/block%20octagonal%20oct%2024%20three.jpg" alt="">
The rooftop of the former Hotel Saville.
At ground level, the Brenchley Architect plans propose a café for 80 patrons.
Stonnington Council has yet to approve the conversion of the recently closed hotel.
The eight level, 34-room octagonal-shaped Hotel Saville in South Yarra was purchased last year by Watercress Pty Ltd, the production company of Channel 9’s The Block for $6.25 million.
The property has close access to popular attractions and amenities such as the Prahran Market, Chapel Street, Fawkner Park, the Botanical Gardens and Albert Park Lake. St Kilda Road and public transport are all nearby, with The Alfred Hospital is just down the road. 
<img src="/images/2014/10/24/block%20octagonal%20oct%2024%20two.jpg" alt="">
The Hotel Saville, the site of a forthcoming series of The Block.
Property Observer is aware that in the 1990s, some of its rooms were briefly rented to the Alfred Hospital.
In 2002 the hotel was in the news after it was alleged Reservoir man Shane Chartres-Abbott violently raped a client in a hotel suite, with part of her tongue missing.
The gigolo Chartres-Abbott was arrested shortly after the attack with the victim's blood on his pants and her phone in his bag. With the forensic evidence, medical reports, the victim's testimony and witness statements, Chartres-Abbott presented a bizarre, headline-grabbing defence that he was a 200-year-old vampire.
Chartres-Abbott was subsequently executed outside his Reservoir home in 2003 as he left for the County Court during the rape trial. 
The 3.5 star Hotel Saville of South Yarra, with restaurant, had been trading under various names since its opened in the early 1970s.
With 360 degree views, the property is located at<a href="https://rca.colliers.com.au/property-land+development-vic-south+yarra-501125927" target="_blank"> 1-5 Commercial Road</a>, near busy Punt Road.
<img src="/images/2014/10/24/block%20octagonal%20oct%2024%20one.jpg" alt="">
A notice at the entry of the Hotel Saville.
Watercress's next series of The Block which is currently being advertised to start next month is on Darling Street, South Yarra.
Their Brenchley Architects plans were lodged for a $2.4 million development application for the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unitblock-vic-south+yarra-116269171" target="_blank">South Yarra</a> property. Titled The Block Triple Threat, the show's 10th series follows the 2014 The Block Glasshouse series in Prahran.
The current 12-unit block at 27 Darling Street, South Yarra, (pictured below) will be four luxury triple-storey townhouses.
<img src="/images/2014/10/24/block%20octagonal%20oct%2024%20five.jpg" alt="">
Watercress paid $5.7 million for the Darling Street site.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

The Block Octagonal will have seven luxury South Yarra apartments

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Are you energetic, with a sense of humor?
In a long-term couple, family duo or have an "enduring friendship" with someone who knows their way around a construction site?
Most importantly: are you willing to take home nothing but a "nominal weekly fee" if it all goes pear shaped?
If so, you might qualify for the next series of The Block. 
Potential Blockheads have until 6 February to apply for the series, and successful applicants will begin manically shopping for pendant lights and colour-matched art in April. The first episode will see some contestants eliminated before the competition proper begins.
In your application, you'll need to provide details of your citizenship status, your criminal record, your height (in centimetres, please) and your home. You'll also have to describe your would-be team mate in one word (and in many).
Who's the first to make up when you fight? What would be your 'theme song'?
Lest you think it's all about the human drama, the producers are not just interested in your relationship.
What's your design style? What influences and inspires your design? (websites, magazines, designers, periods)? It's unclear whether hopefuls should name drop Neale Whitaker's former employer, Belle Magazine, or his latest, Vogue Living. However, if past seasons are anything to go by, contestants should answer the former question with something vague but boring like "classic with an edge", "minimalist with a twist" or "clean with a splash of colour".
Applicants are asked to provide photos of themselves and their home or homes, and a five minute video.
Meanwhile, filming is well and truly underway for The Block Triple Threat, and marketing is ramping up. This week, the imaginative and current Channel 9 released ads comparing bearded contestant Ayden to "that guy from The Hangover".  Just think – after an online application, this could be you.
<a href="https://www.9jumpin.com.au/show/theblock/glasshouse/latest/week-11/are-you-australias-next-ultimate-blockheads/" target="_blank">Click here to apply.</a>
{qtube vid:=jBCAgaxda5A}
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Calling would-be Blockheads: The Block now taking applications

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When decorating an apartment for Christmas, it’s worth remembering your responsibilities and to seek clarification from your body corporate, according to Archers Body Corporate Management.
Apparently, certain decorations and lights can break the building’s by-laws and require approval.
Archer’s strata manager Wayne Hewitt said that the majority of unit owners and tenants are unaware of the repercussions.
“Most bodies corporate have by-laws prohibiting additions to the exterior of the building, including hanging Christmas decorations and lights from balconies and windows,” Hewitt said.
He notes that the body corporate can advise on the extent of the decorations allowed, how long they can be displayed for and where is appropriate to have them.
Here are their five Christmas decoration tips:
<ul>
<li>Check with your body corporate before putting up your Christmas decorations to ensure you’re not in breach of any by-laws. 
</li>
<li>Before you install Christmas lights, check over the cables to ensure they are not faulty. Faulty lights can be the cause of fires which can not only affect your property but the entire building. 
</li>
<li>If you have approval to decorate your balcony ensure that decorations are secured well so they won’t be a hazard in strong wind or summer storms. 
</li>
<li>Ensure that your decorations do not block any walkways or emergency exit points of the building and are not on common property. 
</li>
<li>Make sure you adhere to your body corporate’s prescribed time lines and guidelines for how long decorations can be displayed.</li>
</ul>
Source: Archers Body Corporate Management
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Five tips for decorating an apartment safely

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The Gold Coast’s Palm Beach Heights Estate has been named the Best Small Residential Subdivision in Queensland in the Urban Development Institute of Australia's (UDIA) 2014 Awards.
The boutique estate, set to be home to 150 families, has seen 80% of purchases come from locals, according to market agent Shaun Darcy, Ray White Robina.
“We’ve sold 83 blocks and have about five to go. We saw enormous interest from local residents and 80% of sales have been taken up local families. They did not want to change their postcode they just wanted a new home in a new estate surrounded by like-minded residents,” he said.
In total, including the 80% of local buyers, a total of 85% will be owner occupiers. The development sold at five blocks per month, hitting the market in late 2013.
The Beacon Builders development is just two kilometres from the beaches. Single blocks are priced from $300,000 to $360,000. Duplex blocks cost from $400,000 to $450,000. Townhouse sites are sold for $600,000.
“Schools, shops and restaurants are all within easy reach. This is actually really unusual - it’s known as an infill subdivision - as most new residential subdivisions are short on key infrastructure as they are developed in the outer regions of the city,” Darcy said.
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Boutique Gold Coast estate takes out UDIA residential subdivision award

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It’s common investment talk that to do up a property with a new kitchen or bathroom should reap you thousands of dollars in added value.
However, this might not actually be so, according to Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisers’ executive director Joe Sirianni.
“Minor renovations are more likely to have an impact with a unit,” Sirianni said.
“But with a house, superficial renovations may make a property more saleable, not necessarily produce a greater value – particularly given that in Australia a large proportion of a property’s value is in the land.”
In fact, in many cases superficial renovations have the potential to result in a slight increase in purchase price, and perhaps more buyers, but usually attracts the people who are already looking.
“It’s not the new floorboards, a new kitchen or a renovated bathroom that will have the banks’ valuers applying additional value to a property,” said Sirianni.
Structural improvements, however, do have the potential to have an impact on a valuation.
This could include adding bathrooms or bedrooms, and possibly adding a new garage.
For home buyers who are looking to undertake “non structural” renovations, then the bank often lends without a new valuation.
“People who improve the look of a home with non-structural renovations generally don’t understand that’s all they have done – that is, take away the run-down look of the property,” Sirianni said.
“They haven’t added bedrooms, bathrooms, a garage or anything that will put it into a new category for buyers.”
As a result, it’s usually looked at in the same way by valuers.
“It’s acknowledged that you spent, say, $50,000 on it, but they know that you’re very unlikely to get more than your $50,000 return on it,” he said.
“Quite often the banks won’t even match the valuation to what you’ve spent unless there’s a big structural improvement.”
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A kitchen or bathroom renovation won’t deliver a windfall: Smartline

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New South Wales’s fastest selling Masterplanned project, The Ponds, in Sydney’s north-west has now sold out with the last land plot purchased.
The UrbanGrowth NSW and Australand project is a $2 billion community with more than 4,200 home sites – all sold within seven years.
Development director for The Ponds, Jey Mahendra, said that in early 2003 they set a vision for the area that included 80 hectares of bushland and waterways and six kilometres of bicycle and walk ways.
“Eleven years later this vision has been achieved. It is estimated over 12,400 residents will call The Ponds home when the last remaining homes are built in 2015,” said Mahendra.
“A combination of strong leadership, clear project vision, a dedicated team with shared values, community input, combined with cooperative relationships with council, project partners and state government agencies were invaluable in the success of this project,” he said.
The homes will include detached and attached homes, terraces houses and courtyard homes.
Major infrastructure projects and housing saw an investment of over one billion dollars, with general manager, residential NSW for Australand, Nigel Edgar, noting that they had initially expected to finishing selling land and homes in the area in 2016.
“Twelve high profile industry accolades have been awarded including the coveted Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) President’s Award for 2012 for the best project of the year in residential, commercial and retail development,” he said.
They have also received sustainability awards from the UDIA, Housing Industry of Australia and PIA.
“A broad range of purchasers have appreciated the lifestyle that has been created at The Ponds. There is nothing else like it in the North West of Sydney. Buyers who purchased in the early stages of the project have been our best sales force. The consultants involved with this project should be very proud of this thriving and functional community.”
The Ponds falls under the Blacktown City Council area.
Next year will see the completion of Peel Reserve Park, which will add to the outside amenitiess that include BBQ areas, playgrounds and sports facilities. In 2015 two schools, John Palmer Public School and a special school, will be complete, as will the second of two community hubs.
Also yet to open next year will be a retail and shopping centre amenity.
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“Most successful masterplanned project in NSW history” sells out: The Ponds

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As this year’s calendar clicks into December, the jacaranda season draws to a close with purple trademark trees turning green across Australia’s east coast.
The onset of flowering Jacarandas signifies the peak of the spring property market, and their disappearance indicates Christmas is nigh. 
For the past two months, flashes of lilac from trees in full bloom have been a familiar sight across Sydney where the season was even more impressive than the glorious 2013 flowering period, note our Jacaranda enthusiasts, Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok.
This week they seek out late season property listings at Grafton, the NSW north coast town known for its annual Jacaranda Festival celebrated in late October - this year was its 80th anniversary.
HE SAID:<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/09/06/jc-silhouette-5.jpg" alt="jc-silhouette-5" width="130" height="195" style="float: right;">
It’s no secret I’m an unabashed fan of these magnificent trees – but at a distance for I’m not fond of the fallen mess made especially after rain. 
Hence, my first selection of <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-south+grafton-118510139" target="_blank">108 Through Street, South Grafton</a> – a gorgeous hardwood three bedroom, two bathroom cottage positioned across the road from the Clarence River. Lucky for me, the Jacaranda is conveniently growing next door.
Listed for sale through Ryan Creed of Elders Real Estate Grafton, the property has an asking price of $310,000, and its recent rental appraisal is $290 per week…river breezes included. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/12/01/grafton%20dec%201%20two.jpg" alt=""> 
My second choice is out at Copmanhurst (in the foothills of the Gibraltar Range and about 75 kilometres west of Grafton) where<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-lifestyle-nsw-copmanhurst-7682611" target="_blank"> The Gorge is listed</a> at $3.75 million through LJ Hooker Grafton. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/12/01/companhurst%20dec%201%20one.jpg" alt="">
Operating as a tourism enterprise, this property comprises 1,800 hectares freehold and 1,200 hectares leasehold. 
As the selling agent Matt Dougherty says the current owners have developed The Gorge into a highly acclaimed tourism enterprise which is home to the best wild bass fishing in Australia. Campers flock there to witness the unspoilt beauty of the valley and it is pure heaven for the keen fisherman…Margie will love it. But according to the booking schedule, she will have to book ahead a year ahead to hire “The Shack” which offers visitors a taste of luxury. 
Little known, but the prize for me is that growing on the property is Australia’s largest Jacaranda – <a href="https://www.nationalregisterofbigtrees.com.au/listing_view.php?listing_id=990"> listed on the National Register of Big Trees</a>.  Some six metres circumference, 30 metres high and a crown of 36 metres.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/12/01/big%20tgree%20dec%201%20one.jpg" alt="">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/09/06/mb-silhouette-4.jpg" alt="mb-silhouette-4" width="130" height="195" style="float: left;">SHE SAID:
My Grafton pick is a pretty weatherboard house described by selling agents Rod Ford and Robyn Hunt, of First National Real Estate Bailey &amp; Gough, as “Sonaisali on Alice” – a confusing misnomer for the renovated residence bears no hint of Fijian style. 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-grafton-118382959" target="_blank">Situated at 39 Alice Street</a>, this property stands on a large block in one of Grafton’s most sought after heritage streets which is close to the river and a short walk from expansive parklands shaded by beautiful Jacaranda trees.
For sale at $399,000, the property has a wide driveway leading to the four-bedroom two-bathroom house, and a swimming pool in the grounds. 
I like the comfortable look of this house, and also its huge garage where I’d keep my fishing gear. I’d also have a kayak which I could paddle across the river, past Susan Island, to visit Jonathan in his modest cottage on the southern foreshore.
Of course, he’ll say the Jacarandas on his side of the river are superior to those on my northern shore.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2014/12/01/grafton%20dec%201%20three.jpg" alt="">
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End of jacaranda season offerings at Grafton: He Said/She Said

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When it comes to selling your home, there are three areas you need to consider: preparation, presentation and the marketing campaign.
The core principle when it comes to a sale or purchase of anything is, of course, that <a href="https://youtu.be/rmNpIJieUi4" target="_blank">first impressions count</a>. You achieve the best return based on a positive impression and we buy based on the perceptions that we have of the product or object.
So why do real estate agents believe selling a home, property and real estate is any different?
When thinking about selling your home and when you are contemplating how to obtain the most value in the sale, consider both the need to eliminate as many objections as possible and secondly, engage a real estate agent that understands how to prepare the home so that the first impression does count in your favour.
Not all real state agents are apt in preparing a home for sale. Unfortunately <a href="/expert-insights/agents-pull-your-heads-in-about-commissions-you-re-getting-more-not-less">their interest mostly lays in the commission alone and not in obtaining the best value for your property. </a>
The sales process is simple and it starts with the marketing campaign. However, most real estate agents are unsure how to begin. The better real estate professionals will engage stylists and other professionals to assist with the process. Preparing the home and making the first impression starts with the main aspect, the front appearance of the property. Typically what buyers see when they first approach the property.
Simple tips to take into account when preparing the front yard and front aspect of the home. These tips are straightforward; yet they render a huge difference to the home’s perceived value. I have broken the costs down based on the services I have used here in Sydney, Australia:
<ol start="1">
<li>Take care of the lawns and edges. The estimated cost may range from $50-$150 on average across Sydney. 
</li>
<li>Weed garden beds, trim the hedges and add bark. The estimated cost ranges from $200-$400 across Sydney. 
</li>
<li>Pressure clean the driveway and footpaths leading to the front door. The estimated costs may range from $200-$500 on average across Sydney. 
</li>
<li>Pressure clean the roof area visible to the front. The estimated cost ranges from, $250-$600 across Sydney.</li>
</ol>
Therefore, at an average expenditure of under a couple thousand dollars, you have just added  tens of thousands of dollars value to the home. Not only do these simple tips add value, they add character and charm in a simple way.
Our aim as agents is to engage the buyer’s emotion from the moment they view the photos and video on online property portals. This is further enhanced when they walk up to the front of the home, see colour and presentable gardens.
Be mindful that a buyer’s objections are bargaining chips to drive the price down. <a href="https://youtu.be/3-uMKHTqxik">As agents and vendors, we have to eliminate as many objections as possible</a> to maintain the value and differentiate your home from others in the area that have been badly prepared for the sales and their marketing campaigns.
It’s the simple things that matter and first impressions count.
EDWIN ALMEIDA is licensee in charge of <a href="https://www.just-thin.com.au/" target="_blank">Just Think Real Estate</a>.<a href="https://www.just-thin.com.au/"> </a>
He is also the creator of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/JustThinkProperty" target="_blank">Oz Real Estate.TV</a> and a presenter for <a href="https://propertyinvestingvault.com/" target="_blank">propertyinvestingvault.com</a>.
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ealmedia-arK4DBYLjS

When first impressions count, it's the simple things that matter

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Past contestants Deanne and Darren Jolly, Matt Di Costa and Kim Owen and Bec and George Douros will compete for a place in The Block's upcoming South Yarra season.
It has been long rumoured that Deanne and Darren, pictured below, were participating in the show in 2015, after winning just $10,000 for their efforts on The Block Glasshouse. The three bedroom apartment they renovated this year sold for $1.38 million, with a reserve of $1.37 million.
<img src="/images/2014/11/24/darren%20and%20dee.jpeg" alt="">
<a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/melbourne-diy-favourites-deanne-and-darren-jolly-will-be-back-on-the-block/story-e6frfmq9-1227131758851" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">News Corp</a> reports the couple, along with Perth's Matt and Kim and Melbourne's Bec and George will be participating in an elimination round to decide which returning Blockheads will compete against new contestants.
There will be four teams in total, each renovating a three storey apartment in Darling Street, South Yarra (pictured below).
<img src="/images/2014/10/24/block%20octagonal%20oct%2024%20five.jpg">
The season, titled The Block Triple Threat, will air in early 2015, with Channel 9 beginning their marketing campaign on television and social media last night, releasing promotional materials featuring the returning contestants and a 10 second television spot.
<img src="/images/2014/11/11/mattkim.jpg" alt="">
Matt and Kim received a $250,000 profit when they renovated a whole level South Melbourne apartment in The Block Sky High, which they sold for $1,205,000. The couple, pictured above, have since gone on to appear in their own renovation show, Matt and Kim to the Rescue.
<img src="/images/2014/11/11/becgeorge.jpg" alt=""> Bec and George, pictured above, also renovated a full level apartment on the Sky High series, coming third behind Matt and Kim's second place effort, with a $242,000 profit. Their third storey apartment sold for $1.455 million. It appears the buyers of the apartments renovated by both Sky High alumni were both investors, with both apartments <a href="/expert-insights/investing/three-of-the-six-block-sky-high-south-melbourne-apartments-for-rental">listed for rent </a>earlier this year.
Since last appearing on The Block, Bec has created a design blog, Bec Marks the Spot, which reports George has been developing property.
Meanwhile, it appears even more former Blockheads will be coming out of the woodwork, with a new show titled <a href="/expert-insights/building/renovation-rumble-showdown-with-the-block-contestants-v-house-rules-contestants">Renovation Rumble</a> in the works. The show, said to be produced by The Block's Watercress Productions and confirmed by Channel 7, will pit former Block contestants against former House Rules contestants. It has a probable 2015 air date.
Pictures courtesy Channel 9.
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Former Block contestants return for The Block Triple Threat

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Mosman, the Point Nepean region and Albert Park have notched up the highest level of residential renovation approvals over the past year.
The number of Australian home owners undertaking renovations on an annual basis has hit a recent four year, post-GFC high, according to research released by Westpac.
Some $600 million worth of residential renovations and conversions were approved in August 2014. 
Westpac noted of home owners who renovate to make extra room, more than a third choose to renovate instead of move as they do not want to pay stamp duty fees (36%) or do not want the inconvenience or cost of moving home (36%). 
But the key is that 71% simply want to stay in the same area.
The Westpac Renovation Report, compiled by RP Data and Sweeney Research, has Sydney's Mosman with $76 million as the most renovated location (by value approvals) in Australia. No details are given as to the number of houses under renovation.
The Victorian Point Nepean region - around Portsea and Sorrento - came in second with more than $41 million in residential approvals over the past year for the pricey location at the most westerly point of the Mornington Peninsula, in Victoria.
“Favourable market conditions across Australia means that many home owners have seen the value of their properties rise.
"As a result, one quarter of Australians have been able to service additional borrowings to tap into this added value and extend or improve their home further and stay in their preferred location rather than moving to a bigger home elsewhere,” said Gai McGrath, Westpac general manager of retail banking.
While 64% of renovators still finance their home improvements through savings, some 26% of those aged 18-54 are choosing to finance their renovations by increasing or topping up their home loan.
“Existing home owners who may once have looked to upgrade into a new home are choosing instead to renovate, adding desired rooms, features and cosmetic changes," Gai McGrath said.
“This can be a smart investment strategy as it means avoiding the costs associated with upgrading to a new home, like moving services and stamp duty.
“If you are renovating, not only are you improving your current surroundings and tailoring your home to suit your needs, but it can also add value to your property if you come to sell in the future.”
Top areas for renovation (by value) in Australia over the past 12 months (RP Data):
<table style="width: 460px;" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
SA2 Region
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
State
</td>
<td valign="top" width="192">
Value of residential approvals 12 months to August 2014
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
Mosman
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="192">
$76,357,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
Point Nepean
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="192">
$41,765,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
Albert Park
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="192">
$41,371,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
Brighton
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="192">
$35,255,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
Coogee - Clovelly
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="192">
$33,468,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
Richmond
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="192">
$32,341,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
Toorak
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="192">
$32,083,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
Hawthorn
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="192">
$31,714,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
Malvern - Glen Iris
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
VIC
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="192">
$31,692,000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="229">
Willoughby - Castle Cove - Northbridge
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="96">
NSW
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="192">
$29,259,000
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
RP Data compiled Australian Bureau of Statistics dwelling approvals data from 2004 to present, using projects where the value of work done was at least $10,000. 
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