The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 41-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Consumer Affairs

<html><body>
Cyber fraudsters are believed to be behind a total of $50,000, made in three payments, out of a Broome real estate agency's trust account. It is believed the criminals accessed the agency's online banking system after a compromised email saw malware installed.
One of the recipients receiving regular payments had their account details altered on a pre-entered list, seeing their $50,000 redirected to another's account. Then, the details were changed back to the original to avoid detection of the fraud.
The agency has been reimbursed by their bank since the incidents in February.
In March last year, another agency experienced a similar case of cyber fraud, seeing $50,000 stolen through two BPay transactions from a trust account. The bank detected these cases early, and recovered the funds.
As a result, Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll has put out a warning to real estate agents, and settlement agents, to be wary of fraud. She also suggests that strict security protocols are in place for computer usage.
“While the property industry has been targeted in these cases, fraud of this kind can affect any business so it’s essential that businesses have procedures and protocols in place to prevent unauthorised access to their computer system and systems to detect malware,” Driscoll said.
“Staff should be trained to ensure that suspicious emails are deleted immediately, attachments are never opened and links never activated. Having up-to-date anti-virus and anti-malware software is essential for any business."
She suggested that agents manually input bank account details of clients when making electronic bank payments, rather than using pre-entered lists.
These are not the only type of cyber scams around - in 2012, <a href="/expert-insights/investing/vigilant-applecross-perth-estate-agency-prevents-another-fraudulent-house-sale-nigerian-scam">a vigilant Applecross, Perth agency managed to avoid being victim to cyber crime</a>.
CONSUMER PROTECTION'S ANTI-FRAUD ADVICE:
<ol>
<li>Have the latest security software (anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall) installed on computer systems and keep the operating system up-to-date. 
</li>
<li>Remind staff of basic electronic security measures. If suspicious emails contain an attachment, do not open them as they may contain malicious software (malware or spyware). Do not click on any links within these emails and delete them immediately. 
</li>
<li>Be wary of unsolicited emails purporting to be from your bank as these may be phishing scams. 
</li>
<li>Be aware that banks will never ask you to supply any of your details via email. 
</li>
<li>Consider using security tokens or set up a mobile phone security code protocol when using e-banking and verifying all payments. Ensure the device protocols are set to the highest possible level for all staff members. 
</li>
<li>Revise transaction limits and reduce them if they are too high. Sometimes it’s safer to make smaller multiple payments than allow for one large payment to be made from your bank account. 
</li>
<li>Tyoe the address into the address bar when accessing online banking. Never click on an online link or ‘favourites link’ to access your bank’s webpage as these can be manipulated to send you to a counterfeit site. While these sites may look similar to your bank’s webpage, fraudsters operate them to obtain your personal banking details and passwords. 
</li>
<li>Staff members should enter a payee’s bank account details manually whenever they make an electronic funds transfer.</li>
</ol>
Property Observer suggests that investors should ask their agents how they protect themselves, and their clients' information.
</body></html>

jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Cyber criminals steal $50,000 from Broome real estate agency trust accounts

<html><body>
Have a reno planned for this Easter weekend coming (or some home improvement), then play it safe is the message from Consumer Affairs Victoria.
It might not be glam, but it is falls that are on their radar, with eighty-two people passing away in Victoria between 2000 and 2011, in particular the elderly.
Eighty-two people died after falling from ladders in Victoria, between 2000 and 2011, with most of these people being aged over 65.
However, there are a number of safety issues for all Australians looking to give renovating an attempt.
LADDER TIPS Source: Consumer Affairs Victoria
<ul>
<li>Before getting on the ladder:</li>
<li>Check that your ladder is in good condition</li>
<li>Place it on dry, firm and level ground</li>
<li>Check all safety locks and braces are in place.</li>
</ul>
Other things to check:
<ul>
<li>Ensure the ladder has non-slip safety feet</li>
<li>Read safety warnings and follow the manufacturer's advice</li>
<li>Wear non-slip footwear</li>
<li>Keep people and vehicles away from the ladder while you are working</li>
<li>Work within your arm’s reach and avoid leaning out</li>
<li>Only climb as far as the second step from the top of a step-ladder or the third step from the top of a straight ladder</li>
<li>Never put the ladder on top of other objects to gain extra height.</li>
</ul>
ASBESTOS TIPS
Another common area of safety scares are when it comes to asbestos. We have written a number of articles about preparing for this eventuality.
With renovations becoming increasingly popular, and <a href="/news/asbestos-found-in-one-in-four-pre-purchase-inspections">asbestos reportedly found in one in four building inspections</a>, it makes sense to be careful around this deadly material. Apparently, <a href="/news/nsw/how-is-asbestos-affecting-you-61-of-renovators-exposed">61% of renovators are exposed</a>.
Don't let this <a href="/expert-insights/investing/asbestos-is-a-silent-killer-and-our-ignorance-is-putting-people-in-danger">silent killer lurk in your home</a>.
<a href="/news/how-to-choose-a-building-and-pest-inspector">Choose a good building and pest inspector</a> when you purchase, or before any extreme renovations, so you know what you're up against.
This will quickly alert you to the asbestos that you should call the professionals in for. Don't DIY asbestos removal and disposal. Keep your mouth and nose covered when around the substance.
GENERAL TIPS
Unless you have been trained in certain areas, we recommend bringing in the professionals.
Electricity - get an electrician in to do the difficult jobs around power. It just isn't worth the potential danger.
Balcony fixing or installation - <a href="/expert-insights/investing/before-the-fall-balcony-safety-regulations-are-still-falling-short">Too many deaths have happened</a> to make this an excusable area for a dodgy reno. 
Swimming pools - Once again, this is a high risk area. Bring in the experts and ensure you're compliant.
When undertaking a renovation, ensure to have protective measures for all those on site - face masks, goggles, gloves and appropriate clothing. Be orderly and organised, and have required medical supplies with you at all time.
Ensure your Easter renovation works out as successfully as you had hoped!
</body></html>

Easter weekend renovators: Tips from Consumer Affairs Victoria

<html><body>
Checking testimonials and reviews, particularly online, are one way we all do a little bit of our due diligence when looking for any type of holiday accommodation or even restaurant to go to.
Property investors also largely use them for experts and professionals to help them with their buying, renovating, building and even accounting.
In fact, they're such a powerful way to be convinced into using a particular company or individual that it's rare to see a website without them.
But, just as it's easy to write someone a testimonial - which they may, or may not, use - it's just as easy for a less-than-reputable character to be overtly selective with their testimonials or just to fabricate them completely.
WHAT IS A TESTIMONIAL
Testimonials are comments from customers and clients of a service or product that explain their service and how they found dealing with a company of person. They are heavily used as marketing tools, and for promotion, in every industry - from the Sham Wow to the back of a novel. Testimonials can be incredibly useful for finding out what other people think about a service.
You might see them in newspapers, in emails, on websites or forums (particularly the business' own website), on review websites and in brochures.
MUST KNOW
Before we get into when to be alerted by a potentially fake testimonial, for companies in Australia it's worth noting that making, relying or using false or misleading testimonials is unlawful, according to Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV).
That means, while they shouldn't be falsified, if they are then you do have a right to notify Consumer Affairs about it.
CAV notes that businesses that regularly rely on testimonials include alternative health care businesses, restaurants, weight loss service provides and, of course, estate agents.
<blockquote>
Businesses that regularly rely on testimonials include alternative health care businesses, restaurants, weight loss service provides and, of course, estate agents.
</blockquote>
If you're a real estate company using testimonials, basically make sure they're coming from real people, you haven't paid for a review, that you note down if there has been any sort of commercial relationship with that person, that you do not delete negative reviews and that you keep records of them all.
Remember, while less common, some do use fake testimonials to purposely say bad things about a competitor as well. These are also misleading, and you'll want to keep an eye out for them.
WHAT TO BE WARY OF
Duplicate reviews in different names, or appearing in different places multiple times.
Reviews that seem to overtly suggest you use the service, often providing discounts or codes. They may even be slagging off a competitor within the same review.
Review websites that are in some way associated to the company.
Email addresses with three or more numbers at the end - suggesting this is fake and may have been created by an automated program.
If it's an Australian company that deals with primarily Australian residents, then be wary if all the reviews have Americanised spelling. This should be a surefire warning sign that there's something fishy going on.
Those that sound like advertisements (there's a specific tone to be aware of). Be alerted by anything over the top, overly endorsement heavy, and non-specific. If they have industry-specific terms or phrasing that an average person is unlikely to use - also be aware.
Websites where all the reviews are positive or where large numbers of reviews sit at either end of the spectrum. The majority of real people give reviews within the two to four star bracket, rather than the one and five stars.
<blockquote>
The majority of real people give reviews within the two to four star bracket, rather than the one and five stars.
</blockquote>
Gut feeling is a powerful thing. Would this be something you could see yourself writing if you had the same good/bad experience? If not, why not?
Do they overtly use words and phrasing that a typical person would not? For instance, they may refer to a iPad Mini as an iPad or an iPad Mini, but it's unlikely they'd refer to its complete specs in a review e.g. iPad Mini 16GB with retina display and Wifi. Similarly, phrasing might be a little... off, particularly if cliched.
Not everyone is a wordsmith, and it's likely some people will use typical phraseology to review an item, but something like the following sentence reeks of falsity: "Great buying experience, couldn't be happier - now on my way to millions!". Unconvinced? So are we.
While not everyone will allow you to check their identity, usually there's at least one person with their full name (in which case, is it a "common" name that cannot be verified?).
If photos are with the testimonial - are they stock photos? Have you seen them used elsewhere? Search the photo through Google images' search function or through a reverse image search. Just because a photo has been included, it doesn't mean it's real.
Have you checked reviews across a number of sites? If you haven't it's time to get Googling a little more. Check out forums, where unhappy clients may be able to tackle false reviews more easily by providing their own experiences.
Look for links. Links to a person's blog or own website can be a powerful thing, suggesting they're a real individual. However, a 'tracking' link or a link that redirects you suggests that the review may be paid for.
If you're wanting to verify any further, then Property Observer suggests calling the company in question and asking for contact details for the person who provided the review - or for your contact detail to be passed on (such as an email).
Video testimonials can be even more convincing for some, however how do you know when the video was taken? Was the reviewer halfway through a seminar, or about to head in? Again, it's worth asking to contact the individual themselves.
Think you've seen a false review on a property product online? Email: <a href="mailto:jduke@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jduke@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
</body></html>

How to tell if a testimonial is fake: Spruiker alert

<html><body>
The much discussed practice of underquoting, or bait pricing, has attracted the interest of Consumer Affairs Victoria, who have announced they will be keeping a close eye on the property market, and specifically auctions, this autumn season.
The practice of underquoting, much-discussed on Property Observer, has director of Consumer Affairs Victoria Claire Noone set to catch out real estate agents misleading prospective buyers. This is timely, considering the potential Queensland change to legislation to stop all price guides at auction in <a href="/news/qld/letter-from-the-editor-more-information-not-less-please-queensland">a bid to solve the issue of underquoting that the REIQ claims is rampant in the auction-heavy capitals</a>.
"In this peak auction period, we are gathering market intelligence through online monitoring and other data collection methods," Noone said. 
"We will be watching for any misconduct during the buying and selling process - from the moment a property is advertised to when deposits are paid and held in trust accounts.”
She also expressed that staff would be attending auctions to ensure they are “conducted according to auction rules”. Property Observer welcomes this attention into the issue, particularly surrounding the announced attention being paid to indicators of misleading price advertising and campaigns.
However, Noone also urged prospective buyers to ready themselves with auction rules, including price advertising and underquoting, prior to attending auction so that they can be prepared.
"Comparing the initial advertised price with the sale price is not evidence of underquoting," Noone explained. 
"Underquoting is when an agent misleads a prospective buyer about the likely selling price of a property for sale.”
She explained that examples of this included when a property is advertised or quoted to a prospective buyer at a price lower than the seller’s asking price or auction reserve price, the agent’s estimate of the selling price or a genuine offer or expression of interest.
Property Observer recently attended a Sydney auction that was potentially a case of underquoting, with a reserve price set some $200,000 above the price guide.
Noone also reminded buyers that, at auction, you will not be able to make a contract subject to conditions and that there is no cooling off period.
Underquoting is a regularly debated topic. Recently, <a href="/expert-insights/investing/underquoting-the-auction-system-s-necessary-evil-mark-armstrong">observer Mark Armstrong referred to is as the auction system’s “necessary evil”</a>, meanwhile a petition has been started by buyer’s agent Patrick Bright for the <a href="/news/online-petition-for-mandatory-reserve-price-publishing-launched">mandatory publishing of reserve prices</a>.
</body></html>

Consumer Affairs

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Consumer Affairs

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News