<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/smith-by-valli-collingwood-224-228-smith-street-collingwood-vic-3066">Smith Collingwood</a> is a new boutique apartment development bringing a refined, design-led approach to one of Melbourne’s most established inner-city neighbourhoods.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pandolfini-architects">Pandolfini Architects</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/lisa-buxton-interiors">Lisa Buxton</a>, Smith by Valli sits on iconic Smith Street and comprises just 22 residences tailored toward owner-occupiers seeking a more considered style of apartment living.

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The design of Smith focuses on a north-facing orientation across all residences, a relatively uncommon feature in dense inner-Melbourne settings. Each apartment has been planned to maximise natural light and outlook, alongside a material palette defined by warm tones, custom joinery, and a full suite of Gaggenau appliances.

The development comprises a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with pricing currently ranging from just under $1 million to around $4.85 million for the premium penthouse-level residences, reflecting growing demand for luxury owner-occupier product in Melbourne’s inner urban market.

Residents will also have access to a private rooftop garden designed as an elevated retreat above the city, &nbsp;featuring curated landscaping, veggie boxes, intimate seating areas and spaces for relaxed gatherings. Sustainability has also been integrated into the project through a 7-star energy rating and two secure bicycle facilities for every residence.

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Smith by Valli sits in the heart of one of Melbourne’s most established retail and hospitality strips, within walking distance of venues such as Falco Bakery, Carnation Canteen and Alimentari, alongside parks and everyday services. With a Walk Score of 99, the location reinforces the project’s positioning toward buyers prioritising walkability and access over car dependency.

With only a limited number of residences, Smith reflects growing demand for smaller, highly curated apartment developments that prioritise design quality, liveability, and connection to neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140747]

Joel Robinson

Smith by Valli delivers design-led apartments to Melbourne’s inner north

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a>’s 640 Bourke Street stands as a testament to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a>’s ability to bridge its storied past with a bold vision for the future.&nbsp;

Rising above the heritage-listed Eliza Tinsley building, the development reflects a broader shift toward adaptive reuse in the city, where historical assets are retained and reinterpreted as part of new residential development.

Designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> incorporates the Eliza Tinsley building as its foundation, housing a grand gallery and lobby space that serve as both a functional and symbolic centrepiece. The heritage façade informs the tower’s design, creating a connection between Melbourne’s past and its contemporary skyline.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

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Above this historic base, the 68-storey tower will deliver just over 600 residences, a notable reduction from earlier schemes, reflecting a deliberate move toward larger-format apartments and a stronger owner-occupier focus.

Unlike traditional CBD developments that prioritised investor stock, 640 Bourke Street has been repositioned to respond to changing buyer expectations.

"The discussion was all around making 640 Bourke Street the best residence to live in, to be much more focused on the people in the building rather than people looking at the building," Marsland explained.&nbsp;

This shift is evident in the development’s interiors, which emphasise practical luxury with spacious layouts, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.&nbsp;

“What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Lauren Sheldon, Far East Consortium’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365687]

Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang added, "We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."&nbsp;

Amenities spanning more than 3,000 sqm across multiple levels further reinforce this focus on resident experience. These include a pool, gym, co-working areas, and a range of hospitality-inspired spaces such as a whisky lounge, library, and private dining rooms, many drawing reference from traditional bathhouses and Melbourne’s laneway culture.

"We wanted to make both the pool and the gym area to be absolutely destinational, and when you traverse across to these spaces, there is a gentle familiarity to the beautiful notions of the hammams and the Roman baths, a gentle nod to history," Chang noted.

At street level, the project contributes to the ongoing transformation of the western CBD, with upgrades to Langs Lane and the introduction of retail, hospitality, and gallery spaces designed to activate the precinct and strengthen its connection to the surrounding city fabric.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=509 project_image_fid=365689]

The location places residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, and the Docklands waterfront, positioning the development within a rapidly evolving inner-city neighbourhood.

"We believe it's the best site left in the city of Melbourne," Craig Williams, Executive Director at Far East Consortium, said.&nbsp;

640 Bourke Street is Far East Consortium’s 14th building in Melbourne’s western CBD.

"A very elegant designed building. It's going to be a Melbourne statement for many, many years to come."

One-bedroom apartments are priced from around $640,000, with 640 Bourke Street targeting completion in 2029.

Renders shown are Artist's Impressions correct as of May 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=509]

Heritage-led design anchors Far East Consortium’s 640 Bourke St, Melbourne

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD Group</a> has set a new residential price record in Queensland with the $30 million sale of the penthouse at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-burleigh-88-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads-qld-4220">ONE Burleigh</a> development in Burleigh Heads.

The sale equates to around $37,500 per sqm.

The two-level, 800 sqm penthouse, featuring five bedrooms, five bathrooms, five car spaces, and a private infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was acquired by a Gold Coast-based entrepreneur, highlighting continued demand for ultra-premium beachfront product.

Selling agent Freddie Tehle of PRD Burleigh Heads said the result reflects tightening supply of high-quality, large-format apartments in Burleigh.

“There’s very limited opportunity to secure this level of scale and absolute beachfront position in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/burleigh-heads-qld-4220">Burleigh Heads</a>,” Tehle said.

“Buyers are increasingly seeking apartments that genuinely replace a standalone home, and this penthouse delivers that with its size, privacy, and direct ocean frontage.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323057]

The sale comes as construction progresses on ONE Burleigh, a boutique development of 17 full-floor residences at 88 The Esplanade, scheduled for completion in early 2027.

Developed by MAYD Group and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/mas-architecture-studio">MAS Architecture</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/sici-design">Sici Design</a>, the project has been positioned as a collection of house-sized beachfront apartments, each occupying an entire floor with around 381 sqm of internal and external living space.

When construction commenced, MAYD director Todd Mould pointed to the long-term resilience of premium coastal real estate as a key driver behind the project.

“Real estate, particularly at the premium end, remains one of the most resilient and proven long-term investment avenues,” Mould said.

“Our ambition is that anyone who buys a MAYD-built product can genuinely feel the care, craftsmanship and commitment we bring to every detail.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323055]

Each residence has been configured with four bedrooms, multiple living zones, a private office, and expansive ocean-facing terraces. Interiors draw on a restrained material palette, including travertine stone, timber joinery, and integrated premium appliances.

Interior designer Sici Design said the approach was to reflect the project’s coastal setting through both materiality and spatial planning.

“ONE Burleigh is our vision of luxury living, designed to bring the essence of Burleigh Heads' vibrant coastal beauty into an unparalleled residential experience.”

Residents will have access to a suite of wellness-focused amenities, including pools, sauna facilities, and dedicated relaxation spaces, reflecting a broader shift toward lifestyle-driven apartment design on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146358 project_image_fid=323052]

The project occupies a southern Esplanade site with uninterrupted beachfront frontage, an increasingly rare offering in Burleigh Heads, free from the Norfolk Pines that line much of the coastline and often limit direct ocean outlook.

Mould said the design intent was to balance that outlook with a sense of retreat.

“Living at ONE Burleigh is about how your day naturally unfolds, morning light across the ocean, coffee on the balcony, and being in Burleigh but elevated above the noise.”

The result further reinforces Burleigh Heads’ emergence as one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held and supply-constrained beachfront markets, where boutique, owner-occupier-focused developments are increasingly setting new price benchmarks.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146358]

MAYD Group sets Queensland record with $30 million penthouse sale at ONE Burleigh in Burleigh Heads

Apartment developers in the Gold Coast are finding new, creative ways to differentiate themselves from competing projects, as new supply starts to flow through up and down the Coast.

Developer BIG Projects brought in the renowned Sydney-based design studio YSG Studio to craft the interiors for The Frederick, BIG Projects' new Mermaid Beach project and YSG Studio's first move into the multi-residential development space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5346]

It was a strategic move for BIG Projects to bring in a Sydney eye to the development.

“Our role is to give our design partners the space and freedom to explore,” says Matt Barrett, Director of BIG Projects.

“We wanted YSG Studio to capture the essence of Nobby’s, to design a building that embraces life, light and connection, while creating a genuine sense of place.”

There are only 39 apartments in The Frederick, including a striking beach house, just 100 metres from the booming Nobby Beach precinct.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5347]

Yasmine Ghoniem, Director of YSG Studio, says their vision&nbsp;for The Frederick "reinvents coastal living."

“Nobby’s has such an iconic energy, it’s one of those rare pockets of the Gold Coast where the community, the beach, and the streets all feel connected,” Ghoniem says.

"Responding to the neighbouring coastline, soothing curves add a relaxing regional overlay, while unique detailing really sets it apart. It’s a place that feels lived in from the moment you step inside.”

A standout feature of The Frederick is its rooftop terrace, an uncommon inclusion for a boutique, low-rise building, where amenity is typically concentrated at ground level.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110588 project_image_fid=5360]

Positioned to capture panoramic views from the hinterland to the ocean, the rooftop has been designed as a series of intimate zones. It includes a pool, sauna, sun decks, workspaces and dedicated entertaining areas.

“The rooftop was conceived as a collection of spaces where residents can unwind and connect, an extension of the Nobby’s lifestyle,” Barrett says.

Architecture for the project was led by Plus Studio, with landscape design by LDG Landscape Architecture.

SRQ Projects Director Nick Clydsdale, who is handling sales at The Frederick, says the majority of enquiry is coming from South East QLD and Victorian buyers who have been actively searching between Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach for some time.

"They’ve reviewed a number of projects, however this one has stood out for its unique detailing and compelling design,"&nbsp;Clydsdale says.

Site demolition is slated for this month, with construction commencing soon after. BIG Projects is targeting a late 2027 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=110588]

Sydney’s YSG Studio makes Gold Coast multi-residential debut with BIG Projects at The Frederick

Melbourne-based property developer ALTA Property has this week achieved planning approval for the adaptive re-use of a former commercial tower into a $200 million, 169-apartment project at 10 Queens Road, one of the last developable sites along the Albert Park Lake-fronting boulevard.&nbsp;

Set within one of Melbourne’s most sought-after precincts and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser and Partners</a>, the illustrious building will offer unparalleled views across Albert Park Lake, Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne CBD.&nbsp;

The mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom residences will be complemented by a ground-floor amenity featuring private dining, a lounge bar, gym and wellness spaces, co-working, outdoor communal gardens, and retail.&nbsp;

The 17-storey building is a masterclass in adaptive re-use, with the existing commercial building’s façade, shell and internal structure to be retained, before high-end residences are built from the ground up in a newly built Albert Park facing addition to the building.&nbsp;

Sitting atop the building will be two 320+sqm penthouses with private rooftop terraces, which are expected to be priced between $9 - $11 million.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa11211b-5581-43f9-940c-fc84d30a0e61" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/C_04.png?VersionId=Yhf5p_1EgGDu_zOIMFgvA8Ug8j3sTFQs" />

Architecturally, the building will feature a curved, geometric façade that celebrates and elevates the existing structure, with warm, muted tones which were selected to extend the materiality of the existing building rather than contrast it.&nbsp;

Interiors will bring together three metre high ceilings with waffle concrete in some spaces, natural timber, granite and Australian materials, culminating in crafted, generous and considered spaces that are defined by authenticity.&nbsp;

The adaptive re-use means that the Queens Road project will be a sustainability led, high-quality finished product, with a 62% saving in carbon emissions by re-using the existing structure rather than knocking it down and rebuilding.&nbsp;

ALTA Property was launched by Nigel Givoni in 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience in multi level residential delivery.&nbsp;

Melbourne’s property market growth is currently led by apartments. According to RPM VIC Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report (April 2026), units are outpacing houses, especially in the middle ring suburbs where median prices hit $757,500 – a four-year high that represents 2.9 percent growth quarter-on-quarter.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="647e13d7-b4bc-433a-9bc9-fe3c3dd4f2ec" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/V_06.png?VersionId=ou4NUCWUgA3NAy.6CQJlEdKX50j3dOk6" />

For ALTA Property Founder Nigel Givoni, this performance speaks to the confidence he has in the Melbourne market.&nbsp;

“Queens Road represents a rare opportunity to continue to shape our presence in the Melbourne market.,"&nbsp;Givoni says.

"With a considered project team and a premier site along one of the city’s most sought-after boulevards, we look forward to contributing to the fabric of this established address.

“Other Australian markets are getting a lot of attention, but I believe the depth of value in Melbourne is being overlooked. The fundamentals are strong, population growth is steady and, based on our preliminary conversations with a leading builder, construction costs are beginning to normalise, creating further opportunity."

Givoni says the project is a&nbsp;highly considered example of adaptive re-use, delivering quality, high-end residences, premium hotel-inspired amenities and an architecturally striking façade, all achieved without the need to remove the existing structure.

"We are really looking forward to the market’s response,” he said.&nbsp;

ALTA Property to deliver $200 million Queens Road apartment tower

Prominent New Zealand apartment and hotel operator, <a href="/developers/safari-group">Safari Group</a>, is offering up a prime investment opportunity for Australians to purchase off the plan in one of the world’s most popular ski destinations.

They recently took to market Mountain Oak Queenstown Apartments, in the growing precinct of Remarkables Park in Frankton, near the airport and at the foot of The Remarkables - the mountain range the locals like to call “The Remarks”.&nbsp;

Sydney investors have shown interest in the one, two and three-bedroom apartments that secure high-season occupancy six months over the year, primarily over summer and winter months.

They average 90 per cent occupancy across their portfolio over January, February, March, August, November and December, while shoulder season months of April, July, September and October are still occupied 70 per cent of the time, with the growing appeal of Queenstown becoming not just a hotspot for the snow, but a lifestyle destination.

Even in the low seasons of May and June, occupancy levels reach around 40 per cent.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Ext_Cam15_Sunny.jpg?VersionId=SJAROUM_1s.Tr5ciMk4EEj5oAt_Vewmv" />

Safari’s Safari Hotels arm can also manage the holiday letting for an investor, from the listing on holiday accommodation websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com to the cleaning and maintenance of the investment. They’ve been in the short stay management business for 15 years and offer 24/7 support for investors, an important convenience benefit for any overseas investor

Another major drawcard for Australians is that New Zealand doesn’t have a stamp duty policy - so the entry price of NZ$639,000 (AU$586,000), is all that is payable on completion.

<img alt="Safari Group’s Mountain Oak Apartments brings new investment potential to Queenstown" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/313_Livingv2_WEB.jpg?VersionId=nV229fM0ZeYpoxOrX372HyGjfwY_LR8c" />

Safari is starting construction of the 141 apartments in Q2 this year, with a two-year build estimated to complete in mid-to-late 2027.<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="15" src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXczFpFAb7WuA6f4f9TtKWcqXyNwR8qqtakWv352ERkpqNlP3KwIo8YKxw67jZNHfpjEGIZGv5MQTbnvLZwNt8iu9IVdOrswOjCvBZ4zhSoOOLrpt6etVEZTN1gkBho0r_R72zdHNA?key=yq3daOanqHSb88QFd8jGYKdb" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" />​

The apartments will feature modern amenities and contemporary designs with expansive windows capturing sweeping views of The Remarkables mountain range.&nbsp;

Interiors are equipped with modern finishes, premium appliances, and secure electronic key-locked doors, ensuring a comfortable living experience for residents and guests alike.

With its strategic location near Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort, as well as key retail and dining precincts such as Market Street, Five Mile Shopping Centre, and Remarkables Market, Mountain Oak offers a strong proposition for investors seeking high rental yields and capital appreciation in one of New Zealand’s most sought-after locations.&nbsp;

Queenstown’s sustained demand for visitor accommodation and rental properties is underpinned by a shortage of housing options, attracting both local and international buyers.

Safari Group offers low-touch investment proposition in Queenstown’s popular ski fields district

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Australia's changing consumer spending patterns, over both time and across age groups, are changing the face of the country's retail sector, says new research. 
BIS Oxford Economics’ Retail Property Market report shows that Australians are buying fewer ‘things’ and, increasingly, consumers are not buying them from traditional shops.
These trends present a formidable challenge to retailers and shopping centre owners and developers, it says. 
Together with the cyclically weak retail environment and it threatens retailer survival and shopping centre income returns, says report author, Senior Project Manager Maria Lee.
“There's another key threat to retail property returns, and that that’s the risk of softening investment yields,” she says.
“The share of household expenditure on clothing and footwear has more than halved since 1984, from 6.5% to 3.1%.
“Not only that, but the dollar amount spent actually fell between the 2009–10 ABS Household Expenditure Survey and the 2015–16 survey.”
The report also points to the inexorable rise of online shopping. The online market share is currently around 8%, growing at over 15% per annum.
Lee points out that more mature online markets, such as the US and some European countries, are still seeing growth rates of around 15% even with much higher market shares than in Australia.
“It’s a real possibility that a growth rate of 15% per annum could be sustained for some time,” says Lee.
“If so, this would result in an online market share of 22% within 10 years.”
BIS Oxford Economics forecasts that shopping centre incomes will see muted growth over coming years in light of the above challenges.
A return to stronger economic conditions should bring with it a pick-up in consumer spending early next decade, but the company expects only modest retail turnover growth on average over the next 10 years.
As a result, shopping centre net income growth is forecast to stay only just ahead of inflation.
“And there are probably more downside than upside risks to that forecast,” cautions Lee.
BIS Oxford Economics expects increases in bond rates over the next few years to pose a key risk to shopping centre yields.
“We’re not forecasting a great degree of softening in investment yields but, even so, we forecast five year IRRs for regional centres of just 5.5%," says Lee.
“That suggests that they are currently overvalued relative to hurdle rates of return.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Changing customer behaviour a formidable challenge to retailers: BIS Oxford Economics

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An offshore private investor has purchased the Kallangur Fair Shopping Centre from the Charter Hall Retail REIT for $21.38 million, representing a near 15% premium to book value.
Savills' Peter Tyson and Jon Tyson negotiated the sale of the Woolworths anchored neighbourhood centre following a competitive expressions of interest campaign.
Peter Tyson said continued deep investor demand for retail assets generated strong interest from the market and the result was not surprising.
“The sale process generated multiple offers from local and off shore buyer groups, including private investors, syndicators and fund managers,” Tyson said. 
Situated 24 kilometres north of Brisbane, Kallangur Fair comprises an enclosed mall featuring a 3,247 square metre Woolworths supermarket, a 420 square metre discount variety mini-major and 10 specialties with a total GLA of 4,703 square metre. 
The centre is located on Kallangur's main thoroughfare, Anzac Avenue on a 15,800 square metre site and features parking for 270 cars.
“Kallangur Fair was extensively refurbished in 2017 and provided a strong WALE of eight years,” Tyson said. 
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Woolworths-anchored Kallangur Fair shopping centre sold

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A Double Bay retail property has just been leased to Kristin Fisher, self acclaimed as the 'leading eyebrow expert in Sydney'.
It is positioned in the heart of Double Bay’s new business and entertainment precinct, 
It was listed by Allan Levy and Zorick Toltsan from Metro Commercial. 
Located at 16-18 Bay Street, the 227 square metre property offered 12 metres of frontage, one car space and storage.
Other features include designer finishes, marble floors and fit out. 
It is within walking distance to the public transport including Double Bay Ferry Wharf and Edgecliff Train Station. 
The business joins the likes of Carla Zampatti, Matteo, Domain Auction House, F45, Mrs Sippy and the soon to be revamped Royal Oak Hotel.
<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/2018/8/8/double%20bay%202.jpg" alt=""> 
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Kristin Fisher leases in Double Bay's new retail precinct

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Macedon House, the Gisborne three bedroom house which is noted on the Victorian Heritage Register, was recently sold for $1.36 million by mortgagees.
It was listed by Jason Kennedy from Kennedy &amp; Hunt Gisborne.
Built circa 1847, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-gisborne-128703894" target="_blank">Macedon House at 1 Kilmore Road </a>operated for some time as the Mount Macedon Hotel, then functioned as a boarding and guest house for many years from 1887.
Since then, the building on 5.17 acres has been used as a private house, restaurant, reception centre, bowling clubhouse and kindergarten.
Specified works have been outlined by Heritage Victoria that needs to be actioned to prevent further deterioration of the structure.
It was last sold at $250,100 in 1998.
The suburb's median house price sits at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-gisborne-128703894" target="_blank"> $685,000</a>, according to CoreLogic. 
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Gisborne's Macedon House sold for $1.36m by mortgagees

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Juwai chairman Georg Chmiel interviewed Ironfish CEO Joseph Chou on investing in property.
"Today, we talk to one of the most interesting, influential, and invisible individuals in the real estate industry."
"If this is the first time you are hearing the name Joseph Chou, that is just how he likes it. As CEO and Founder of <a href="http://www.ironfish.com.au/" target="_blank">Ironfish</a>, Chou leads one of the quietest but most powerful companies in the property sector. He is determined it will one day be worth $1 billion. Chou’s memoir, From Bicycles to Bentleys, is popular with Australian investors and a bestseller in Beijing."
"Chou is a native of China and a former diplomat who immigrated to Australia in 1991. Within 18 months of arriving, he and his wife Suzanne had already turned their $4,000 of savings into a $175,000 house and a new BMW."
He was justly proud but, he says, “I felt tired. I was literally working seven days and most evenings.” 
Around this time, Chou reunited with a former colleague who had not spent his earnings on a new car and home, but instead had invested in property. 
“He had turned cash flow into assets. I, on the other hand, bought the BMW and a home first.” 
Chou told me this is when he realised the only way he would be able to enjoy his prosperity was by creating assets that produced wealth for him — even when he himself was not working.
In the subsequent year, Joseph worked quickly to build up a substantial portfolio of his own. He then decided to get into the property business himself and eventually founded Ironfish. The company aims to help Australians build a portfolio of four to ten investment properties over a long period of time and to hold them until they double in value.
“That’s our Australian business,” he said. “Our core value is helping Australian families build a property portfolio to complement superannuation.” 
Tip's for Investors
When I asked him what he thinks of rent-vestors who buy their first investment property before their own home, he applauded them.
“That can be a good idea,” he said. “It is cheaper to rent and also own an investment property than just buying a first home.” 
Chou says Ironfish has many young professional customers in this category. “They are investing in a few properties first while their career is on the way up. Then, when they have more money and know where they want to settle, they buy their home.”
In fact, it seems Chou’s recommendation for first-home buyers is to take your time. 
“Don’t buy just to take advantage of government incentives,” he says. “If you get a mortgage prematurely it will affect your career, your ability to move around, or the opportunity to start a business.”
Once you have invested, Chou believes you should hold onto your investment property as long as possible.
“Our idea is to never sell unless you absolutely have to,” he says. “Property is the goose that lays golden eggs. There is no point in killing it.”  
Struggle To Triumph
Chou was born and raised in Nakou, about 50 kilometres from Beijing. By age 16, Chou had nearly died three times.
In one close call, he was saved at the last moment from being run over by a train. Then, he nearly drowned in the deep end of a swimming pool. Finally, a long metal stake impaled him in the eye.
“There was blood everywhere, and it felt like a bullet had lodged in my brain,” he writes. Luckily, he suffered no permanent damage.
Chou explains that, in China, if you survive three tragic accidents you are said to have good fortune for the rest of your life. 
“Looking back, surviving set me up to tackle life head-on. I thought, ‘There must be a purpose for my life if I have survived this far.’”
Australia’s natural beauty and its freedoms were the qualities that persuaded Chou and wife to start new lives here. 
“Living freely in Australia, we could make choices on how we would spend our time and live our lives. I wanted to go into business in Australia, attain wealth and achieve my goal of living a free life.”
Apartment Vs. House
One funny story Chou tells about his adjustment to living in Australia involves his first grass lawn. Having grown up in an apartment in China, he had no idea how to mow the grass in the garden of <a href="http://www.ironfish.com.au/blog/2017/09/29/inside-look-homes-successful-property-investor/" target="_blank">his first house</a>, in Denistone. A neighbour showed him how to use the mower, but Chou found himself generating plumes of dust because the mower blade was set too low. He was so flummoxed that he gave away the mower and hired a gardener. 
Perhaps this experience is one reason he believes houses should be part of your investment portfolio but not all of it. He encourages investors to balance among houses, townhouses, and apartments as each has its advantages.
I asked Chou what features create value over time. He said he looks for a convenient location, high quality design, and amenities that make people want to live there. He likes apartment buildings that have an owner occupier feel and he likes apartment buildings that appeal to both owner occupiers and investors.
“Also, we have what we call the PIE formula,” he said. “The area has to have a population that’s increasing, infrastructure investments, and employment growth.
Downturn?
Chou is a strong believer in property as a route to wealth. (You may want to note one quarter of the richest 200 individuals in Australia made their money in property.
“The key message is that Australian property is unique compared to other countries. There is a $7.5 trillion asset base. Only 5 per cent is traded every year, so it’s been very stable.”
Chou says investors have many good picks today. For a run-down of his current investment strategy, read his summary here.
Getting into Development
Development is something relatively new for Ironfish. In Melbourne, Ironfish jointly developed Whitehorse Towers and the project was priced below the competition. 
“We had to sit down with our development partner to negotiate with them on behalf of the buyers,” he said. “The reduction in pricing reduced the project’s profitability by millions of dollars.”
This is something unique about Ironfish. I don’t know of any other property company that makes leaving money on the table for buyers a cornerstone of their philosophy. Chou sees his company’s mission as helping Australian families build wealth through property.
Although he is too discreet to say so, Chou is very successful. 
He came to Australia with only $4000, and his first car (a 15-year old Mitsubishi Sigma) ate up 95 per cent of that total. Chou now has a large personal property portfolio, leads a successful company, and helps thousands of Australians build their own investment portfolios so they can achieve their own financial success. 
“To me, it was Australia that made this possible,” he says. “We are so lucky to live in this country. It is a nation that gives everyone a go, and I want to help all Australians to have the same good fortune as me.” 
GEORG CHMIEL, the chairman of Juwai, a Chinese website for buyers of overseas property, was speaking to Joseph Chou in his regular column giving insight into the leading minds of Australian property experts.
He has spoken with LJ Hooker agent Bill Malouf about the ins and out of the Sydney market, REINSW president Leanne Pilkington about women in real estate, developer Larry Kestelman about developing your first property, and Harcourts boss Mike Green on real estate investment secrets.
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Georg Chmiel talks with Ironfish CEO Joseph Chou about whether to invest in today’s market

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The combined effect of low rental yields and declining dwelling values has resulted in a rapid reduction in overall returns from housing over the past year.
According to the CoreLogic Total Returns Index, over recent year’s value growth has been much stronger than rental returns, showing that the majority of the returns have been achieved via capital gains rather than rental income.
With dwelling values now falling and gross rental yields close to historic lows, the total returns from residential housing are not looking so attractive and a greater share of returns are coming from the yield component.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%201.JPG" alt="">
National dwelling values fell by -1.6% over the 12 months to July 2018, total annual returns have fallen to just 1.9% and are now at their lowest since June 2012.
The fall in total returns has been substantial given that a year earlier total returns were recorded at 14.2%.
Across the combined capital cities, total returns over the 12 months to July 2018 were recorded at 0.8% - the lowest they have been since May 2012.
Total returns across the combined regional markets were recorded at 6.6% over the past year – again, the lowest they have been since June 2013.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%202.JPG" alt=""> 
A year ago, annual total returns were recorded at 14.8% across the combined capital cities and 12.0% across the combined regional markets.
Over the past 12 months, total returns in Sydney have fallen by -2.5%.
This -2.5% fall in returns is the weakest result since February 2009 and represents a substantial slowdown in annual returns from July 2017 when they had increased by 19.0%.
With dwelling values falling -5.4% in Sydney over the past year it highlights that value changes largely dictate total returns in Sydney.
In regional NSW total returns increased by 6.7% over the past year that was the smallest annual increase since February 2013.
Annual returns in regional NSW have slowed from 17.1% a year ago.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%203.JPG" alt="">
Value falls in Melbourne over the past year have seen a substantial reduction in total returns.
Over the past year, Melbourne recorded at 2.4% reduction that was down from 16.6% a year ago and was also the lowest annual return since October 2012.
Total returns in regional Vic have remained much more stable than those in Melbourne.
Over the past 12 months, total returns in regional Vic have been recorded at 9.8% which was only slightly lower than the 10.4% total returns recorded a year ago.
Value growth is only slightly lower than it was a year ago in regional Vic which is a key contributor to fairly steady total returns.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%204.JPG" alt="">
Over the past year, dwelling value growth has slowed across Qld which has contributed to a moderate reduction in total returns.
Over the year, total returns in Brisbane were recorded at 4.8% which was the lowest return since July 2013 and down from 7.5% a year ago.
Regional Qld total returns were slightly stronger than those in Brisbane were at 5.2% however, they too were down from 9.1% a year ago and the 5.2% was the smallest annual return since October 2012.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%205.JPG" alt="">
The rate of dwelling value growth has slowed over the past year in Adelaide and so too have total returns while the rate of value decline in regional SA has slowed, providing a boost to total returns.
Total returns in Adelaide were recorded at 4.9% over the past year compared to a 6.1% return in regional SA.
In Adelaide, returns have fallen from 9.9% a year ago and are the lowest they have been since June 2013.
Total returns in regional SA have increased from 5.2% a year ago and are the highest they have been since January 2017.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%206.JPG" alt="">
Although values have fallen over the past year in both Perth and regional WA, total returns in each region remain positive.
Over the past 12 months, total returns in Perth were recorded at 1.6%, which was an increase from 1.2% a year ago however, annual returns have eased slightly over recent months.
In regional WA, total returns were recorded at 0.6% over the past year compared to 1.8% a year ago.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%207.JPG" alt=""> 
With strong increases in dwelling values over the past year, Hobart has recoded the nation’s highest total returns at 17.1%.
Although 17.1% represents much stronger returns than all other capital cities it is lower than the 19.7% a year ago and also lower than the recent peak of 20.2% in September 2017.
Regional Tas has also generated comparatively high total returns over the past year of 12.0%.
The 12.0% annual returns are down from 14.1%, a year ago which was the recent peak.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%208.JPG" alt="">
 
There is a big discrepancy between total returns in Darwin and regional NT, which is also reflective of the significant differences in value changes over the past year.
Over the past year, total returns in Darwin were recorded a -0.8% which is down from a positive returns of 2.5% a year ago.
Although total returns are falling, the magnitude of the fall has slowed over the past two months.
In regional NT, total returns were recorded at 12.3%, which was a substantial improvement on the 1.4% annual return a year ago.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%209.JPG" alt="">
Over the 12 months to July 2018, total returns for Canberra dwellings were recorded at 7.0%.
The 7.0% annual return was lower than the 12.8% recorded over the previous 12 months.
As the chart below shows, returns have trended lower over the past year but have begun to stabilize over recent months.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/8/13/PP%20CL%2010.JPG" alt="">
The most recent data shows that there has been a significant fall in investor mortgage demand.
Over recent years most of this demand has been in Sydney and Melbourne, both of which have seen a significant slowdown in total returns over the past year.
Given the decline in returns and an expectation that returns will continue to shrink as values decline further, it is anticipated that investor mortgage demand will also shrink, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.
Investors could see renewed interest for housing in other regions of the country where total returns remain positive however, however the returns are anticipated to be far inferior to those recorded over recent years in Sydney and Melbourne.
Cameron Kusher is a CoreLogic Research analyst 
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Returns on residential housing continue to fall: Cameron Kusher

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Councils are taking over the NSW Planning system with the latest being North Sydney Council’s request to be excluded from planning proposal policy.
At its meeting on 30 July North Sydney Council voted to put all planning proposals on hold until 1 July 2020 as this would be consistent with what the government allowed Ryde Council to do.
The impact of this resolution, if accepted by the NSW Government, will be to put a hold on all major projects in North Sydney for the next 2 years.
Ryde Council seems to be now driving the planning system in Sydney as it is able to bypass Department of Planning policies with the support of the NSW Government.
Now the rest of Sydney’s councils are following the Ryde approach so they can also be exempt from NSW Government policy.
Northern Beaches Council recently requested the Minister for Planning to exempt them from planning policies related to affordable rental housing, seniors housing and disabled housing.
Now North Sydney Council wants to be exempt from having to consider planning proposals from the private sector for a two year period.
The NSW Government must exert its authority as the responsible agency for the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and not allow a feeding frenzy driven by small councils that are keen to undermine the state government’s authority.
We have seen the NSW Government allow 50 councils across NSW to be allowed to delay the introduction of the ‘Missing Middle’ code for terrace houses for a year and then the NSW Government delegated planning along the Sydenham to Bankstown corridor back to the local councils who had been fighting the extent of development.
Private sector developers are finding that there is major confusion about who is running the planning system and that is leading to a Sovereign Risk issue that is undermining investments that assumed state government policies gave some certainty to outcomes.
It is looking like NSW is going into a lock down mode for two years to appease a noisy minority who are concerned about change.
The losers will be the young couples and families looking for somewhere to live.
Chris Johnson is the Urban Taskforce CEO 
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North Sydney Council latest to reject the government's planning process: Chris Johnson 

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GUEST OBSERVATION
<ol>
<li>At the end of 2017, the value of the world’s real estate reached US$280.6 trillion, the highest figure we’ve ever recorded and an annual increase of 6.2%. Residential real estate accounted for the largest share ($US220.6 trillion) of that huge figure, with commercial real estate (US$33.3 trillion) and agricultural and forestry real estate ($US27.1 trillion) making up the rest. 
</li>
<li>By any measure, real estate is by far the most significant store of wealth, representing more than 3.5 times the total global GDP. Global real estate universe in comparison <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/2018/7/17/global%201.jpg" alt="" style="font-size: 12.16px;">
</li>
<li>Most residential real-estate value is contained in the mature markets of North America and Europe, with more than 44% of value belonging to just 17% of the global population. Global distribution of real estate value versus population <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/2018/7/17/global%202.jpg" alt="" style="font-size: 12.16px;">
</li>
<li>China now accounts for the largest share of global residential value, thanks to national house price growth (up 16%) and a rapid programme of housebuilding. Emerging markets, especially in Asia, are also experiencing fast growth. 
</li>
<li>The share of commercial real estate by world region is more closely related to GDP share than it is to population size. 
</li>
<li>The top five most valuable national commercial real-estate markets (excluding residential) are: US: US$8.1 trillion China: US$3.6 trillion Japan: US$2.8 trillion Germany: US$1.7 trillion UK: US$1.7 trillion 
</li>
<li>Pressure on commodity prices has slowed value growth – down 0.4% on an annual basis to US$27.1 trillion. However, an increasing world population, food production (coupled with reduction in food waste) and competitive land uses will sustain values. 
</li>
<li>Equities and gold grew much faster in value than real estate, but rising wealth in emerging economies means there is more capital at large, and real estate is viewed as a safe store for it. Investor motives remain a mixture of wealth storage, capital appreciation and income return. But, increasingly, the income produced by real-estate assets and the potential for rental growth is of increasing interest to investors as the yields on fixed-income assets have compressed.</li>
</ol>
Value growth in 2017
 <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/2018/7/17/global%203.jpg" alt="">
Yolande Barnes is Head of Savills World Research.
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The eight things you need to know about the value of global real estate: Savills

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EXPERT OBSERVER
<div>Total seasonally adjusted housing finance resumed its slowdown in declining by 1.6 per cent to $31.23 billion in June 2018, with slower mortgage processing times and tighter lending procedures biting.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>You might argue the toss over the classification of loans between investors and owner-occupiers, but the smoothed trend figures for total housing finance confirmed a continuing decline for an 11th consecutive month. </div>
<div> </div>
<div><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CT5aAEtbmjw/W2q05bketOI/AAAAAAAArb8/ZXCZh6MCPWEoEEsvYPHSR8Bl7kV8ASOzQCLcBGAs/s1600/HF1.jpg"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CT5aAEtbmjw/W2q05bketOI/AAAAAAAArb8/ZXCZh6MCPWEoEEsvYPHSR8Bl7kV8ASOzQCLcBGAs/s640/HF1.jpg" width="640" height="372" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1378"></a></div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Housing finance tends to have a fairly good correlation with dwelling price action, though economists try a bit too hard on this point, curve-fitting charts with warped y-axes trying to prove a faultless correlation that doesn't quite exist. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>There are more factors at play, of course, as the residents of Hobart, Geelong, or indeed many suburbs of Brisbane would attest. The share of the stock of outstanding loans pertaining to investors continued to decline on the ABS numbers, broadly mirroring what has been reported by the Reserve Bank. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>State versus state (macropru hurts WA)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>New South Wales has seen an ongoing trend decline in the number of owner-occupier commitments, with Queensland the only state to record an increase in the month of June (up 2.1 per cent). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Sydney's housing market downturn has now spanned 12 months, the same length of time as the 2008-9 downturn, and already longer than those seen in 1985, 1994-95 and 2015-16 respectively (hat tip to Cameron Kusher of CoreLogic for the stats). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>One of the consequences of macroprudential measures has been to hinder markets that are already struggling.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In Western Australia the number of home loans dropped to 4,602 in June, the lowest figure since May 1995 (when the population of the state was 1.7 million, compared to 2.6 million today, as highlighted by Shane Wright of the West Australian). </div>
 
<div><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA8_Q5rUHWs/W2q05d2JAPI/AAAAAAAArb4/UpthfNlEW4Q-w52DCPEdAMvhVQAlfRUGACLcBGAs/s1600/HF2.jpg"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA8_Q5rUHWs/W2q05d2JAPI/AAAAAAAArb4/UpthfNlEW4Q-w52DCPEdAMvhVQAlfRUGACLcBGAs/s640/HF2.jpg" width="640" height="370" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1361"></a></div>
<div>While some applications are clearly being knocked back, for borrowers of sound credit quality, there is robust competition from lenders.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Indeed, the average loan size remains 5.6 per cent higher than a year earlier. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>First homebuyers accounted for more than 18 per cent of owner-occupier commitments, a 6-year high, with the average loan size at $349,800 the highest figure recorded for any month to date. </div>
 
<div><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkWsPF8C85A/W2q05TCi2uI/AAAAAAAArb0/2ViXbcb80kc1Krt7TcbgC-vp9HC5fGUowCLcBGAs/s1600/HF3.jpg"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JkWsPF8C85A/W2q05TCi2uI/AAAAAAAArb0/2ViXbcb80kc1Krt7TcbgC-vp9HC5fGUowCLcBGAs/s640/HF3.jpg" width="640" height="370" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1390"></a></div>
 There was a sharp 4.9 per cent drop in the number of commitments for new dwellings. Non-banks emerge
<div>A final point for today: Commonwealth Bank's release noted a loss of market share, a trend which is being echoed across the major banks.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The trend in non-bank lending on the other hand is benefitting entities such as Liberty Financial, Pepper, Firstmac, RESIMAC, and others.</div>
 
<div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DEfTzpqOjI/W2q77TZr5WI/AAAAAAAArcY/6ZDWrIe6yX8wi-5Ep0d90bVnH5hBA_LjwCLcBGAs/s1600/HF4.jpg"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DEfTzpqOjI/W2q77TZr5WI/AAAAAAAArcY/6ZDWrIe6yX8wi-5Ep0d90bVnH5hBA_LjwCLcBGAs/s640/HF4.jpg" width="640" height="378" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1337"></a></div>
The wrap Soft housing finance result for June, and more softness is certainly expected for July. How long the tightness in lending persists is unclear, but it's all pointing down at the moment.
PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.
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Housing finance resumes slowdown: Pete Wargent

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EXPERT OBSERVER
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia reported its full year results last week.
<div>Cash profit for FY2018 of $9.41 billion was down 4.7 per cent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>But overall this remained a solid underlying result with a fully franked dividend of $4.31 per share heading the way of investors (up 2 cents or +0.5 per cent...thanks!). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Increased funding costs impacted net interest margins adversely as expected.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>However, the group more than made these costs back in the financial year through changes in the funding mix and the repricing of investor and interest-only loans.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In fact, the net interest margin was up 5bps over FY2018 to 2.15 per cent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Group loan impairment expense was also very low, at just 15bps.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Note that the Group will adopt AASB 9 from 1 July 2018, and therefore total provisions will increase to reflect forward-looking factors as required by the standard (this adjustment will will pushed through opening retained earnings and therefore will have no impact on the current year income statement). </div>
<div> </div>
<div>'As if' earnings</div>
<div> </div>
<div>A number of one-off items including the $700 million AUSTRAC penalty reduced the statutory NPAT and cash NPAT.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Excluding one-off items, cash profit was up by 3.7 per cent to above $10 billion.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>From the slide deck</div>
<div> </div>
<div>There were so may great slides in the full year preso that's it's impossible to know where to start, but here are just a select few. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>90+ day home loan arrears were notably up a bit year-on-year from 0.6 per cent to 0.7 per cent. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Click to enlarge</div>
<div> </div>
 
<div><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NikJ1XTC2aM/W2obenRu8FI/AAAAAAAAra0/Bu_BuRukzkwr3D1deQO6h0gvC7zNKaT1ACLcBGAs/s640/CBA1.jpg" width="640" height="510" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="810"></div>
 
<div>(Source: ASX: CBA)</div>
 
<div>The year-on-year increase in arrears was mainly due to Western Australia and the Northern Territory, with changes elsewhere relatively benign. </div>
 
<div><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BPTlAOXy52Q/W2obesMjuDI/AAAAAAAAraw/-PYHhx5N81AQ0yr6tGOyTwhmdVcTyqm9gCLcBGAs/s640/CBA3.jpg" width="640" height="374" data-original-height="738" data-original-width="1257"></div>
 
<div>The switching of interest-only (IO) loans peaked in September 2017. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>There is still plenty of scheduled IO expiry over the next two financial years, however, with the blue bars arguably representing the loans most at risk of arrears (being IO loans to investors). </div>
 
<div><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oV4exYg2jIY/W2obf3MIo_I/AAAAAAAAra8/NGaVAzwTFF8L3X27_sdVCv1GdNukH2T6wCLcBGAs/s640/CBA4.jpg" width="640" height="276" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1490"></div>
 Home loan repayments in advance remain popular, though not for all borrowers. 
<div><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zmTCKRUK6YA/W2ocvV3VTBI/AAAAAAAArbY/bIkgLBE06_Ak3f32pJmK2CLHaDUB__-mgCLcBGAs/s640/CBA7.jpg" width="640" height="330" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1454"></div>
 
<div>Finally, CBA optimistically notes that outside recessions or global financial crises modern housing downturns generally only last about 8 months on average (so on that basis, this one should be about done).</div>
 
<div><img src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-baZfqx1F2yk/W2obgIOcIrI/AAAAAAAArbE/cfkEW3UjyasvCcohNfaoPV3nTBFD9zsgwCLcBGAs/s640/CBA6.jpg" width="640" height="330" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="1536"></div>
 PETE WARGENT is the co-founder of AllenWargent property buyers (London, Sydney) and a best-selling author and <a href="https://petewargent.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a>.
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