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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Guest observation
The seemingly ever increasing property prices in Australia have turned many first home buyers' attention to affordable and fixable homes.
With popular TV programs like Building Ideas and The Block, the media also reinforces this link between the Australian "can-do", DIY attitude and home buying. For first home buyers on a budget, doing it DIY can be appealing.
However, lack of prior investigation and poorly informed decision making can amplify costs – potentially much higher than a first home owner's budget allows. When in the initial stages of your home buying search, you can save your time and valuable money by looking out for warning signs when viewing homes and gauging whether the renovation costs will fit within your budget.
Is there such thing as a 'bargain' home? When purchasing a lower than market value property, there are key points every home buyer should consider.
Drainage System
Buildings showing signs of bad drainage will usually exhibit signs of water seeping through walls and floors (in the form of brown stains on the plaster) and a strong mildew odour. Grey water present at end of pipe drains evidences that a drainage system is blocked by contaminants. Be especially aware of unsanitary black water containing sewage. This is the most hazardous to health, and means that drinking water may also be affected.
Cost of renovation: High
Ceiling
If a structure is not adequate to support a sagging ceiling, there is certain safety hazard. Buildings with damaged ceilings must be repaired immediately. Look out for cracks in the ceiling plaster as well as water stains in the plaster as these will be causes for concern. However, if you notice the ceiling is sagging, the house is more than likely going to be a no-go for someone on a tight budget as this is a the sign that costly reparations are necessary. This is an important consideration- particularly for first time buyers, as you will probably wish to move in right away, but entry will not be permitted without costly repair for safety reasons.
Cost of renovation: High
Floors and Walls
The foundations of a home must be stable in order to be able to house occupants. Cracks across foundations or walls may be the result of soil creep, flood or other natural forces. Structural integrity cannot be compromised. A full audit of cracks is necessary to discern the level damage, but as a general rule of thumb, thin hairline cracks are pose little cause for concern and can be covered with a lick of paint, but large cracks causing the separation of wall plaster or floor tiles present more serious challenges.
Cost of renovation: Moderate to high
Mould
Leakage from a water system or foundation can substantially weaken a structure. Health considerations and sub-standard appearance are a more common result of mould. A mould-laden property with pathogens can lead to poor air quality. Potentially perilous for children, respiratory patients, and pets, mould should be eliminated prior to move-in. Look out for mould (usually in the form of black or grey spores) in areas such as inside cupboards (especially under sinks), on window frames, behind curtain headings or pelmets and along the floor outside showers or bathtubs.
Cost of renovation: Moderate to high
This article continues on the next page. Please click below.
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Pests
The danger of pest infestation is a problem that must be managed with chemicals. These include rodent, roach, ant, and termites. Inspection by a licenced pest control professional will provide exact information on the extent of the damage. Pests tend to nest in cupboards, wardrobes, beneath floorboards and in rarely used parts of the house like the garage, so look out for them in there. If pest excrement is present, it is a sign of infestation.
Cost of renovation: Moderate to high
Roof
Indications of structural roof sagging should be inspected to assess the cost of the damage. Roofs with falling frames will be more costly, while minor levelling problems may not be as expensive to fix.
Cost of renovation: Moderate
Water Stains
When pipes crack or break, flooding, leaks, and seepage can make its way into ceiling and wall foundations. Brown stains in rooms near bath and kitchen amenities are most likely to see extensive damage. Re-plastering is generally the solution if the pipes have already been repaired.
Cost of renovation: Moderate to High
Wood Rot
The deterioration of wood caused by water damage and termite infestation can cause rotting, and even crumbling. One simple method of ascertaining wood rot damage is to press frames around the door and windows of a building. A crumbling or sponge-like texture is usually an indicator that wood rot is taking over key fixtures. These would need to be replaced to keep your home safe from burglars as a crumbling door or window frame won't keep out a concerted break-in effort.
Cost of renovation: Moderate to high
Bargain homes often attract first time buyers, but it's important to move forward with caution when considering this type of property. Replacement of fixtures and structural elements can be expensive depending on the size of the home. Always have a professional evaluate the number and type of repairs required before settling a property deal.
Professional pre-purchase building inspection Firstly, before signing on the dotted line and handing over the deposit on a 'fixer- upper' home, a professional pre-purchase building inspection is advised.
A sound inspection should investigate deeper into the structural integrity of the home and expose any repairs that are necessary to keep the home in a safe condition. Brad Porteus is the Managing Director of BSP Construction Consultants, pre-purchase building inspection specialists in Perth, Western Australia. You can read his contributions on <a href="https://blog.realestateview.com.au/" target="_blank">realestateview.com.au</a>. 
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Can you trust a ‘bargain’ home?

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Blockheads Darren and Deanne earned 10/10 marks from Block judges Shaynna Blaze, Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer when they unveiled their garden terrace.
They enlisted Block landscaper David Franklin, of Franklin Landscape &amp; Design, to assist them with the makeover.
Franklin is a renovation reality television regular, having appeared on several seasons of The Block as well as Burke's Backyard, Australia's Best Backyards and Selling Houses Australia.
Darren and Deanne's outdoor space, adjacent to their kitchen and living room, was described as a "Tuscan retreat" by Shaynna.
The judges were particularly impressed by the mezzanine balcony the team built over their terrace. Opening from the master bedroom, the small elevated area has city views.
The terrace featured plenty of greenery, including suspended geraniums.
Despite warnings from Franklin, Deanne couldn't be dissuaded from winding fairy lights around the hangers, though the judges didn't seem to mind.
The couple, who won this week's renovation challenge, earned just shy of a perfect 30/30 score, with one point deducted for failing to use the disco-light strewn vertical planter that Chris and Jenna gave them earlier in the season.
Picture courtesy of Channel 9.
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The Block Glasshouse: The Ds (and their landscaper) garner perfect garden scores

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The property veteran John McGrath has inspected the latest The Block Glasshouse apartments.
His conclusion, having been associated with The Block through the nine series since the original 2003 version, was emphatic.
"This is the biggest and best by far," he said.
McGrath has done brief cameos in recent series but for many years, until 2013's The Block All Stars, he was a weekly room reveal judge. He was replaced by Darren Palmer, who joined Shaynna Blaze and Neale Whitaker, the former editor of Belle magazine.
Meanwhile Whitaker has accepted a role with NewsLifeMedia’s lifestyle brand Vogue Living, and will also be a columnist for News Corp’s Sunday papers in Australia.
Whitaker's new job has yet to be acknowledged by the Scott Cam voiceover on The Block.
Bauer Media recently appointed Tanya Buchanan as editor of Belle magazine, which is set to celebrate 40 years of continuous publication.
The latest Audit Bureau of Circulation figures revealed Belle's circulation at 45,000 copies.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

John McGrath's high praise for The Block Glasshouse

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With the auctions for The Block Glasshouse only a few weekends away and each listed online, people are already guessing what each Prahran apartment will sell for.
Property value predictor realAs has estimated the price of two of the properties on The Block Glasshouse: Chris and Jenna's unit and Max and Karstan's apartment.
So far, Max and Karstan are ahead, according to realAs. Their algorithm predicts that the apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-prahran-117846863" target="_blank">3/121-127 High Street Prahran</a> (pictured above) will sell for $1,728,000, based on a price guide of $1.6 million.
Chris and Jenna aren't far behind with their windowless offering predicted to sell for $1,624,000, compared to their price guide of $1.5 million.
Predictions from realAs aren't yet available for Deanne and Darren, Michael and Carlene or Simon and Shannon's apartments.
The listing for Michael and Carlene's apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-prahran-117902235" target="_blank">1/125 High Street</a> describes it as "showcasing the warm style that has made Michael and Carlene major award winners".
Their apartment (pictured below) has 236.8 square metres of floor space, and a southerly aspect. The judges deemed their kitchen, laundry, entrance and living and dining area the best on show this season.
 <img src="/images/2014/09/23/1.jpg" alt="">
Chris and Jenna's apartment, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-prahran-117921143" target="_blank">pictured below</a>, has 277 square metres of floor space, making it the biggest apartment in The Block.
The apartment, however, also doesn't have a single external window - just skylights and an internal terrace. To make up for it, they're the only apartment with a rooftop terrace.
 <img src="/images/2014/09/23/2.jpg" alt="">
Karstan and Maxine have a 237 square metre apartment, with a north-westerly aspect (pictured below).
The couple also have a "secret" extra room which is yet to be revealed.
 <img src="/images/2014/09/23/3.jpg" alt="">
The apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-prahran-117915927" target="_blank">4/125 High Street</a>, renovated by brothers Simon and Shannon, has a southerly aspect (pictured below).
The 249 square metre apartment is the second largest, and overlooks High Street.
<img src="/images/2014/09/23/4jpg" alt=""> 
Deanne and Darren's apartment, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-prahran-117930567" target="_blank">6/121 High Street</a>, is the smallest on The Block, with just 186.7 square metres of floor space.
It does, however, have the most desirable aspect, facing northward and delivering city views (pictured below).
 <img src="/images/2014/09/23/block-sept-23-one.jpg" alt="">
Each team will take home the sale price of their apartment minus their reserve, with the team that has the highest price above reserve also receiving a $100,000 prize.
realAs is also <a href="https://realas.com/theblock/" target="_blank">running a competition</a> for those who think they can guess the end price for the apartments, with an iPhone 6 up for grabs. 
Which apartment do you think will attract the highest price?
{mijopolls 38}
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The Block Glasshouse apartments: How much will they sell for?

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Following the sell-out of the first stage of Appin Valley in Wollondilly Shire, Walker Corporation have submitted plans to council hoping to release more land in early 2015.
The first stage of Appin Valley, which sold out in less than a year from its release in 2013, offered 336 lots.
The next stage, an extension across Macquariedale Road and Gordon Lewis Reserve, will include 280 homes and a 55 hectare conservation reserve, as well as upgrades of local ovals, barbecue facilities, cycle paths and the restoration of the Inn.
This release will see lots ranging up to 1,100 square metres.
Director of masterplanned communities for Walker Corporation, Chad Walker, said that the sales success has been a result of the location and affordable generous-sized lots, making it compelling for home buyers.
"In particular we had a lot of interest from first time buyers who were attracted to the prospect of owning a brand new home within this historic region while remaining close to major cities such as Campelltown, just 15 minutes drive away,” he said.
“We’ve also seen strong interest from empty nesters looking to move to a more manageable sized lot and young families looking to build their dream home.”
Of the lots, 70% were over 700 square metres, and lots ranged from $180,000 and $315,000.
Partnering with Walker Corporation was Adenbrook Homes and managing director of the home builder, Daniel Galea, said that their most popular design had been the Baywood, which comes in 28 square metre or 31 square metre designs.
“The home is perfect for families. It comprises of three separate living spaces, an outdoor alfresco area, four bedrooms and a double garage. Currently we have eight homes under construction at Appin Valley with 15 more under contract,” he said.
Currently, the final civil construction is underway with an October completion expectation. Over 40 homes are under construction at present.
 
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Walker Corporation’s next Appin Valley release slated for 2015

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"It's tradition. Every night on reveal we have a little cry, and the next morning we're all good," said The Block Glasshouse contestant Chris on the latest room reveals' episode.
Chris and Jenna have certainly had plenty of disappointment to bounce back from in their journey from underdogs to wonderdogs and back to underdogs on The Block. This week was no different.
Despite their best intentions, the couple failed to repeat the success of their main bathroom, which earned them a <a href="/expert-insights/building/block-glasshouse-newbies-reborn-with-perfect-score">perfect score</a> from the judges. This week, they came in last place yet again, delivering an unfinished room (pictured below).
 <img src="/images/2014/09/23/block-sept-23-breakout.jpg" alt="">
Though the judges were inexplicably enamoured with Chris and Jenna's choice of <a href="https://www.beaumont-tiles.com.au/AllProducts/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=183022D&amp;Search=three&amp;pspid=1" target="_blank">resin-based 3D tiles</a>, it seems they weren't quite worth the (considerable) effort it took to install them. Chris' scheduling bungle didn't help either: telling his glazier the wrong date set the team back considerably.
Judges Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer had plenty to say about the bathroom's grotty bronze mirror, the electrical sockets hanging out of the wall and poor finishing touches. They were, however, enthusiastic about the design and layout of the bathroom, which managed to fit in a bathtub and double shower.
Chris and Jenna received 23 out of 30 for their effort.
Karstan and Max, who were the victims of some rather laborious pranks this week, didn't fare much better. They delivered yet another glossy, big-tiled, dark bathroom (pictured below). At least the cold-looking rooms are consistent.
<img src="/images/2014/09/22/katstan%20and%20max.jpg" alt="">
One of the major problems with The Block format is the expectation that contestants will respond to the judge's comments from week to week, with each room better than the last. But doing so creates inconsistency throughout the apartments. While the viewing public may enjoy seeing each team progress through a coherent narrative, buyers would rather a consistently styled home.
So Karstan and Maxine's stubborn cling to high-gloss might just pay off on auction day. For now, they remain unpopular with the judges, who awarded the team 24 out of 30.
Perpetual favourites Michael and Carlene also had a less-than-stellar run with their ensuite (pictured below). Unfortunately, the glass door to their ensuite was installed before their tiles were installed, and it didn't fit when the flooring was completed.
<img src="/images/2014/09/22/michael%20and%20carlene.jpg" alt="">
So there was one less piece of glass on reveal day, but it was still too much: Neale declared that the couple's use of glass throughout the ensuite, including glass pendant lights, made it feel cold.
He also hated the dried nettles that sat in Michael and Carlene's bathroom, though Darren defended the dead flowers pictured below. It seems he's a fan of the souped-up potpourri, having used dried flowers in his own book, Easy Luxury. Michael and Carlene were given 25.5 points for their efforts.
<img src="/images/2014/09/22/dried%20nettles.jpg" alt="">
There was some distance between the bottom three and the top two, with Dee and Darren's score clearing Michael and Carlene's by three points. But 28 wasn't enough for Deanne, who declared Shaynna a "bogan from Wantirna" with "no idea about styling" after she gave their ensuite (pictured below) a measly 9/10, citing storage issues.
<img src="/images/2014/09/22/dee.jpg" alt="">
Darren and Dee, who had the smallest ensuite of any team, finished their interior spaces with characteristic WASPish flair (bar the bizarre chevron towels). The couple's provincial styling, as shown in the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-prahran-117930567" target="_blank">online listing</a> for their apartment, sits a little strangely in an office conversion. It seems to work for them - just not well enough to win the team any prizes.
This week, the award for winning room went to Simon and Shannon's ensuite, pictured below.
<img src="/images/2014/09/22/simon%20and%20shannon%20bath2.jpg" alt="">
The brothers, who had been banking on the appeal of a timber bath, got exactly what they wanted. The judges swooned over their wooden washtub and its spout, which descended from the ceiling. The bathroom also featured glass pendant lights and a gold Chinese drum stool.
They received a 29.5 score this week, earning them a $15,000 prize.
Simon and Shannon will be spending the $15,000 on their terrace spaces, with the apartments' interiors now completed.
All photos courtesy of Channel 9.
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Dead flowers debate on The Block Glasshouse, but ennui ensues after ensuite reviews

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The first residents have moved in to the masterplanned Wallis Creek community, developed by Walker Corporation.
The new residential community’s residents are a “major milestone”, said Walker Corporation director of masterplanned communities Chad Walker.
“Wallis Creek will deliver an exceptional new community for the Lower Hunter region, and we are pleased that home buyers now have an opportunity to touch, see and experience what their smart modern Wallis Creek home could look like at the display village,” he said.
The display village at <a href="https://www.walliscreek.com.au" target="_blank">Wallis Creek</a>, which opened the first display homes in early-July, will showcase 10 homes from six builders, including Eden Brae Homes and Oracle Property Group.
“Eden Brae and Oracle have finished three beautiful new homes and we will soon welcome new homes from more builders to the Wallis Creek Display Village,” he said.
Upon completion, a total of 406 dwellings will be built over the 56 hectare site. It will include landscaped areas, walking paths, playgrounds, a community centre and there is also a proposed school. The community will be connected to the NBN.
Prices range from $159,000 to $194,000, spanning 450 square metres to 783 square metres.
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First residents move in to Walker Corporation’s masterplanned Wallis Creek

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A designer revival of the backyard dunny?
The enduring presence of a turn of the century brick outhouse in the Sydney suburb of Balmain piqued the interest of our property contrarians, Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok.
Especially as this brick outhouse stands in the backyard behind a Federation house recently stylishly redesigned by SJB Architects. Over $3 million is expected at its 11 October auction.
While the house is described by the <a href="https://www.belleproperty.com/41P0196" target="_blank">listing agent Monique Dower at Belle Property</a> as striking “a perfect balance between classical architecture and cutting-edge design”, the old thunderbox harks back to the days of previous generations when homes didn’t have indoor flushable toilets. 
Viewed on Google Earth, the dunny is connected to an adjoining building next door, so perhaps its preservation was as much about the neighbourhood harmony.
This week Jonathan and Margie discuss the merits of the rare maintenance of the once ubiquitous building at the bottom of the backyard. 
<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/2014/03/28/jc-silhouette-7.jpg" style="line-height: 1.3em; float: right;">HE SAID:
I'd previously reported on<a href="/news/last-of-the-backyard-paddington-dunnies-fetches-1-million-amid-78-super-saturday-auction-clearance-rate"> the demise of the backyard dunny</a>. But that was in Sydney's east.
I think this updated Balmain dunny is inspired – it is certainly more functional, and far less sexist, than a man’s shed.
With a garden hose hanging off the outside wall, you could pop inside when nature calls while watering the lawn, or indeed, while turning sausages on the barbecue conveniently placed against the adjacent fence.
Would have loved it if they went with a Philippe Starck bowl, but see it's a Geberit instead.
<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/2014/03/28/mb-silhouette-6.jpg" style="float: left;">
SHE SAID:
I’m with Jonathan, this dunny is a winner. Highly practical, it is ideally placed metres from the plunge pool, so dripping wet residents and their guests don’t need to schlep through the house to the powder room inside. Also, it solves the hideous issue of children pissing in pools (a personal bugbear of mine) – no excuses for kids not using the loo here.
If I owned this dunny, I’d add to its authenticity by growing a choko vine over the ripple iron roof, and placing a scary looking plastic spider near the toilet bowl – for I grew up in a house with an outdoor dunny (albeit a flushable one) where spiders resided alongside my father’s garden tools. 
Before modern suburban sewerage systems were built, dunnies were designed for practicality. In the good old days before water flushable toilets, outhouses with cans were placed at a distance from the house for reasons of smell and hygience. And often they were set on a property’s rear boundary with lane access for the removal of waste. 
Collected at night, once of twice a week by men with a horse and cart hired by the local council, the waste was euphemistically referred to as ‘night soil’ – hence the term ‘night soil’ lane was coined. In inner city suburbs these days, former ‘night soil’ lanes have morphed to provide easy car access to a garage, or a pedestrian thoroughfare if the lane is narrow.
Of course the term - as flat as a shit carter's hat - still lives on with surf reports. 
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The designer revival of a backyard dunny? He Said/She Said 

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Fans and skeptics alike will have the chance to have a stickybeak around the country's most famous office conversion this weekend.
The Block Glasshouse at 121-127 High Street Prahran will be on show on Saturday 20 September and 21 September from 10am to 2pm.
<img src="/images/2014/08/25/masterchris.jpg" alt="">
The public can poke their heads into Chris and Jenna's <a href="/expert-insights/building/the-block-room-reveals-martyrs-mavericks-and-master-bedrooms">curious copper-walled bedroom</a> (above), climb atop Carlene and Michael's <a href="/expert-insights/building/block-glasshouse-newbies-reborn-with-perfect-score">raised shower stage</a> (below) and loiter in the rather <a href="/expert-insights/building/will-buyers-agree-with-the-judges-on-the-block">lacklustre laundries</a>. 
<img src="/images/2014/08/11/block%20michael.jpg" alt="">
They will also have the opportunity to check out the rooms that haven't been revealed on television yet - though people can already take a peek at Chris and Jenna's yet-to-be-aired terraces on their <a href="/expert-insights/building/the-block-glasshouse-chris-and-jennas-apartment-listed-online">apartment's online listing</a>.
From Property Observer's experience at the Fans v Faves open for inspection earlier this year, spectators can expect long lines, a slow shuffle through the apartments and plenty of selfie opportunities with the contestants.
The Block Glasshouse apartments will be up for auction on 11 October.
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The Block Glasshouse open for inspection this weekend

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The pantry is apparently super-sizing. And the trend has emerged not just because there was plenty of space in The Block Glasshouse project in Prahran.
Last weekend <a href="https://online.wsj.com/articles/the-rise-of-the-super-pantry-1410449896" target="_blank">The Wall Street Journal noted</a> the trend noting the pantry in the US was becoming prettier part of the home. As kitchens islands have become the entertainment hub of the home, home owners are moving the clutter and clatter of kitchen activities behind the scenes where they are less visible to guests.
"No longer just for storing potato chips and soup cans, the traditional kitchen closet is becoming bigger, more luxe and more multifunctional.
"Architects, contractors and real-estate agents say upscale homeowners are asking for walk-in rooms that serve as workspaces for everything from food prep to gift wrapping to bill-paying."
A report by the National Association of Home Builders last year showed 85% of respondents put a walk-in kitchen pantry on their most wanted list.
The WSJ article said the latest iteration of the pantry was really just a riff off pantries of yore.
 In the U.S., a separate room used for storing butter in the 17th and 18th centuries was called a "buttr'y," says Catherine Seiberling Pond, author of The Pantry—Its History and Modern Uses.
 The mid- to late-1800s saw the arrival of the "butler's pantry"—a room off the kitchen for storing glassware, dishes and cutlery, where food was plated. 
In the 1930s, breakfast nooks began to replace separate pantries, and food storage moved to cabinets. 
Pantries became all but obsolete by the 1950s, says Pond. It wasn't until the 1990s, when kitchens became more open, that walk-in pantries returned.
There were two winners of kitchen week.
Michael and Carlene's kitchen was reminiscent of a high-end Manhattan brasserie. The butler’s pantry had storage and a preparation area. The judges praised the pantry (pictured above) as the “icing on the cake”.
Shannon and Simon's kitchen was described as modern, edgy with a sophisticated palette. It came with chef's kitchen. Their pantry was the perfect place for a microwave, said judge Darren.
Dee and Daz’s butler’s pretty pantry was the runner up.
There was criticism from the Block judge, Shayna of Maxine and Karstan’s butler’s pantry. 
Shayna thought there was way too much storage (below) in the contestant butler’s pantry, describing it as “like a clinical storage box”.
<img src="/images/2014/09/19/block-sept-19-two.jpg" alt="">
Maxine and Karstan’s butler’s pantry. Source: Channel 9
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