Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

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MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

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Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

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Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

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Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

House Rules

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Reality TV renovators Joe and Fil sold their Maribyrnong house which was transformed on the Channel 7 show, House Rules.
Listed so they can move on to their next project, the pair had added a fourth bedroom and third bathroom to <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-maribyrnong-125216890" target="_blank">the house at 12 Grandview Avenue</a>.
Rendina Real Estate, Kensington agent Richard Rending told The Herald Sun prior to auction the buyer interest had been in the vicinity of $1.3 million.
The House Rules contestants Joe and Fil sold for $1.27 million after it was passed in at $1.11 million.
Rendina Real Estate, Kensington agent Richard Rendina recently said buyer interest had been in the vicinity of $1.3 million. The Tootgarook house of House Rules contestants Claire and Hagan passed in at recent auction for $580,000.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

House Rules sale in Maribyrnong

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Reality TV renovators Joe and Fil are selling their Maribyrnong house.
It was transformed on the Channel 7 show, House Rules.
It has been listed so they can move on to their next project.
After the show wrapped, the pair also added a fourth bedroom and third bathroom to the house at 12 Grandview Avenue.
It is scheduled to be auctioned on May 13.
Rendina Real Estate, Kensington agent Richard Rendina said buyer interest had been in the vicinity of $1.3 million.
 
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House Rules' Joe and Fil list their Maribyrnong home

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Victoria couple Claire and Hagan have the smallest house in the Channel 7 House Rules history on the Mornington Peninsular.
They have a mortgage of $269,000 on the one-bedroom home described as a "shoe-box" by the owner.
Claire and Hagan have been engaged for two years and renovated the front of an old shop three years ago for a salon for hairdresser Claire. 
“I’ve worked really hard to build up my business and we spent all of our savings renovating the salon,” she says.
With the help of some mate, Hagan did all of the renovation which took about four months.
“We love what we have done to it, but we haven’t done anything to the actual house,” Hagan said.
<img src="/images/2016/06/09/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-09%20at%2012.38.47%20PM.png" alt="">
 
The couple have no money to spend on the rest of the house they share with their two daughters, Matilda, four, and Darcy, two.
They all share the same window-less bedroom along with their Great Dane Cleo, while Claire’s mum spends a couple of nights a week on the couch to help babysit while they’re at work.
“We have five rooms in one,” explains Claire.
“Our lounge room, dining, rumpus, kitchen and laundry.
"We really need extra room for the girls.”
Hagan said that he worries about their future.
“We’re saving and saving and we still haven’t saved enough to renovate.
"It’s breaking us really.”
While Claire admits she loves that their home is “weird”, she isn’t such a fan of the mould.
"It got a bit mouldy last winter and I was starting to worry we were going to get sick from it.” 
<img src="/images/2016/06/09/rules.jpg" alt="">
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The first couple on 2016's House Rules were Fil and Joe, who have a 1950's weatherboard house in Melbourne.
The second house transformed on air on this seasons House Rules was South Australian parents Michelle and Brooke.
The third house renovated on this year's House Rules series was Team NSW Nancy and Daniel, who's rundown 60's house lies halfway between their parent's homes.
The fourth house reveal on this year's Channel 7 House Rules series was Luke and brother Cody, the former owning a country cottage in Queensland.
Their appearance on House Rules is the longest period of time Australian Navy logistics officer Rob and his wife Rose have spent together in the last five years.
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Claire and Hagan have smallest home in House Rules history

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The House Rules show on Channel 7 will be the longest period of time Australian Navy logistics officer Rob and his wife Rose have spent together in the last five years.
They have been married for eight years and the opportunity to renovate six houses across the country is like a second honeymoon.
Rob was away at sea when Rose found the perfect house in Western Australia after a three-week search, which has a $329,000 mortgage.
<img src="/images/2016/06/09/700_rules2.jpg" alt="">
Mum of three Rose said it was the backyard that she loved which made her buy the home.
“I think seeing the kids running around the backyard is what decided it for me.
"It had big springy buffalo turf on it and a fair amount of dandelions as well,” says Rose.
Rob doesn't want their renovation to effect the precious backyard either
“If they built a 10-foot decking in the backyard I would be mortified.
"The backyard is a really good size but to do that would just shrink it.”
Their renovating experience is a bathroom design in a former two-bedroom apartment they owned in Sydney. 
“I think we worked really well and we agreed on a lot more things than we thought we would which was nice,” says Rose.
The couple were the first couple to be eliminated on this years show.
Despite being upset, Rose said that they still feel like winners having their own home renovated.
"This is the only competition you enter where even the loser wins."
<img src="/images/2016/06/09/rules.jpg" alt="">
The first couple on 2016's House Rules were Fil and Joe, who have a 1950's weatherboard house in Melbourne.
The second house transformed on air on this seasons House Rules was South Australian parents Michelle and Brooke.
The third house renovated on this year's House Rules series was Team NSW Nancy and Daniel, who's rundown 60's house lies halfway between their parent's homes.
The fourth house reveal on this year's Channel 7 House Rules series was Luke and brother Cody, the former owning a country cottage in Queensland.
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Australian Navy officer Rob treating House Rules like a second honeymoon

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The fourth house reveal on this year's Channel 7 House Rules series was Luke and brother Cody, the former owning a country cottage in Queensland.
The youngest home owner on the competition has a relatively small mortgage on his property, just $120,000.
Luke is helped by twin brother Cody, who signed up to help him transform his rundown 1940's shack.
“Realistically this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so saying no to him would just be cruel," Cody said.
"Plus I’m living in the house now so it’s a beneft to have it done up!”
Luke bought his house two years ago after saving hard while doing his electrical apprenticeship. He is now a qualified electrician.
“It was a very run down house but I saw potential in it,” he explains. 
“I was renting for a year or two and it was dead money so I was wanting to see my money go towards something good.”
Cody moved in after finishing his diesel fitter apprenticeship at Toowoomba 12 months ago. 
“There was no point me renting in Toowoomba as it cost a fortune and I was never there and whenever I was home I was mostly at Luke’s place anyway so I just moved in.” 
The boys did make a DIY start on renovations but the ensuite only got as far as the framework and the kitchen and laundry are in dire need of a makeover.
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Cody’s biggest concern with the house is its lack of insulation, suggesting it's 'bloody cold' in winter and smoking hot in the summer.
“There are holes in-between the floorboards where the breeze will come up through.” 
While their dad is a builder, both boys admit renovating is still a big learning curve for them. 
“The design and the prettiness we struggle with,” says Cody.
“We both want to get in and do the physical side, but I bet he’ll pull the older brother card and I’ll be sent shopping.” 
Coming up with the House Rules for Luke’s place was also a bit of a struggle for the boys. 
“From looking at photos we like the style of modern country but we don’t really know what it is!” says Cody.
<img src="/images/2016/06/06/Screen%20Shot%202016-06-06%20at%2011.09.00%20AM.png" alt="">
 
“We don’t want to strip it right back to a bare shell of a house and make it look like new, we want to keep that country feel. We like that original style house,” adds Luke.
The two currently sit top of the competition.
The first couple on 2016's House Rules were Fil and Joe, who have a 1950's weatherboard house in Melbourne.
The second house transformed on air on this seasons House Rules was South Australian parents Michelle and Brooke.
The third house renovated on this year's House Rules series was Team NSW Nancy and Daniel, who's rundown 60's house lies halfway between their parent's homes.
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Luke and Cody top as fourth House Rules property 

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The second house transformed on air on this seasons House Rules was South Australian parents Michelle and Brooke.
The Adelaide parents have a 1920's Californian bungalow with a mortgage of $426,000, their prize should they win the Channel 7 competition.
Michelle and Brooke were ecstatic to have bought a house in their dream suburb.
“We love the area; we love the people," Brooke said.
"It’s a great little community especially for Michelle as it’s very arty.
"We are so close to the city, the trams, the beach, close to everything.
Brooke, 43, is a landscaper and ex-footballer who spent a year on the Adelaide Crows books and notched up 165 games in the SANFL for West Adelaide and Glenelg.
“We are set up for retirement - we are next to the bowls club, the tennis club and the croquet club," added wife Michelle.
But the only reason they could afford their house is the fact it sits, literally, right next to the freight train main route from Adelaide to Melbourne.
“Even though we are used to them and they don’t bother us that much, every now and then this massive freight train comes by.” says Michelle.
The inside was a bit of a shambles as well, bringing the price down into their price range.
“I had always wanted a house we could do work to; an old character home we could put our love and inspiration into,” says landscaper Brooke, who admits to having plenty of love but not enough money to bring his ideas to life.
But he had a good start with some basic renos when they first moved in, mainly because cooking in the original kitchen ended up producing inedible meals.
“The chimney was still open so every time you were cooking if there was wind then soot would come down all into your food,” explains Brooke.
So they installed a new kitchen, but admit it is in the wrong location in the house as the bathroom sits right to it.
They did other basic necessities like painting, floorboards and fixing the ceilings – but alas, they have cracked and sagged again already.
“They are still the original horsehair ceilings so they have all dropped and so you can see all the gaps and the dust coming through,” he says.
Designer Michelle admits to being extremely nervous about handing over her keys and the design of her home to anyone else.
“I’m really particular and I know how I like things,” she admits.
“People say that when they buy me presents they are really nervous as I’m quite fussy; it’s rare that someone buys me something I love.”
Parents to Addison, eight, and Tildie, five, they wrestled with the idea of leaving their kids behind to embark on a national renovation tour, but in the end they say they are doing it for the benefit of their family.
“The reason it is all happening is for them, we stressed to them the whole time we are going to build a new house so you have a new room and can invite people over,”  says Brooke. 
The first couple on 2016's House Rules were Fil and Joe, who have a 1950's weatherboard house in Melbourne.
The third house renovated on this year's House Rules series was Team NSW Nancy and Daniel, who's rundown 60's house lies halfway between their parent's homes.
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Dream suburb too good to turn down for Michelle and Brooke

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The first couple on 2016's House Rules were Fil and Joe, who have a 1950's weatherboard house in Melbourne.
Their mortgage is $568,000, which will be their prize if they win the Channel 7 competition.
During their 22 years of marriage, the pair have renovated several houses together.
The oldest team in the competition, Melbourne’s Fil and Joe bring with them a wealth of experience.
“Our first renovation was a 1920s Californian bungalow more than 20 years ago,” says Joe, who counts painting as his biggest strength.
“It’s a cycle; we buy a house, we change it, we look at it and go, ‘Let’s sell it! It’s time to move on.’”
But Fil, 45, and Joe, 48, bit of more than they could chew when they bought their current 1950s weatherboard.
It’s practically unliveable and a giant mortgage has left them with no money for renovations.
“The kitchen isn’t workable, the roof has holes in it and the ceiling leaks,” Joe says.
The whole kitchen slopes on an angle, which means every minute we’re walking through we have to close the drawers as they continuously fall open.
The home has a view from the deck where you can see the river.
Fil, who currently works at a wooden toy store, has a keen eye for design and spends her spare time reading design magazines.
She’s hoping House Rules will be the catalyst for turning her hobby to a career. “I’m hoping to start a new phase in my life. I would love to do this full time.”
Joe, an accountant, will be keeping a close eye on both the budget and Fil, who admits she’s a keen shopper. 
The second house transformed on air on this seasons House Rules was South Australian parents Michelle and Brooke.
The third house renovated on this year's House Rules series was Team NSW Nancy and Daniel, who's rundown 60's house lies halfway between their parent's homes.
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Experience the key for House Rules couple Fil and Jo 

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Channel Seven program chief Angus Ross has revealed that a new series of House Rules, already filmed and originally slated to screen in late 2015, won’t go to air this year.
The move comes as part of a major shake-up at the network, which will also see them dumping Million Dollar Minute from its afternoon time slot.
Its program chief Angus Ross acknowledged that the next House Rules would struggle competing against The Block in the planned 7.30pm timeslot.
"We've got a series [completed] but I don’t think the genre matching that has occurred this year has helped anyone," he told News Ltd.
"Do I think House Rules versus The Block is going to be a good outcome for us or for audiences? No. I don’t think it would be a win for anyone."
The Mumbrella website wrote one of the issues that has annoyed media buyers was the big networks putting similar shows up against each other.  
In recent years Seven and Nine have faced off with The Voice vs X Factor, House Rules vs Reno Rumble and The Hotplate vs Restaurant Revolution.
Mumbrella advised at last week’s revenue announcement Nine’s sales boss Peter Wiltshire acknowledged this had hit the bottom line for the network.
“(In quarter four) Nine’s ratings were impacted by the two leading networks programming formats being in the same genre head to head.
"To some extent we were our own worst enemy as we competed aggressively,” said Wiltshire.
“This caused pressure on audiences on free-to-air TV and specifically Nine’s share of that audience.
"The size and magnitude of these changes coincided with advertisers moving to shorter term buying decisions and immediate ratings history to support their actions. 
"This clearly worked against us as buyers worked to Q3 ratings in allocating Q4 revenues.”
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

House Rules won't take on The Block Octagonal

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The Preston house on the first season of Channel Seven’s renovation program House Rules has been listed for August 29 auction.
It is the home of the contestant brothers, Nick and Chris Stavropoulos.
John Petsinis from Hocking Stuart has the three bedroom, two bathroom weatherboard house.
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<div id="link-photo"><img src="https://images.realestateview.com.au/pics/376/19-Jackman-Street-Preston-VIC-3072-Real-Estate-photo-1-large-9273376.jpg" alt="19 Jackman Street Preston VIC 3072 Real Estate Photo 1" title="19 Jackman Street Preston VIC 3072 House - Photo 1"></div>
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<div id="soldbanner">The property at 19 Jackman Street, Preston, last traded at $555,000 in mid-2012.</div>
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One of its new features is the stacked-stone fireplace.
Jackman Street's most recent sale was $895,000 in July this year for another three bedroom 1930s cottage that last sold at $446,000 in 2008.
Nick and Chris, the Channel 7 Melbourne House Rules brothers handed over the keys to fellow renovation contestants of their Californian bungalow in Preston in 2013.
It came with a mortgage of $524,000 which would have beeen wiped off by Channel 7 if they had won the renovation competition series hosted by Johanna Griggs.
<img class="img-responsive" src="/images/stories/flexicontent/l_houserulesmay30breakout.jpg" alt="Preston House Rules renovation with $524,000 mortgage after $555,000 brotherly purchase">
The 1930s bungalow went to July 2012 Ray White auction without success, subsequently listed at $580,000.
The brothers paid $555,000 in August 2012 for the 1930s bungalow on its 475 square metre block.
"A lot of our money went into our deposit," <a href="/news/preston-house-rules-renovation-with-524-000-mortgage-after-555-000-brotherly-purchase">the Stavropoulos brothers told the House Rules viewers</a>. 
There was a subsequent $49,000 development application with Darebin Council.
The brothers, who also appeared on Channel 9’s Reno Rumble, have made a few minor alterations since the show, including extending the outdoor area.
No price guidance is being given.
The median price of houses in Preston has jumped 8.8 per cent over the past 12 months to $700,000, <a href="/news">according to CoreLogic RP Data</a>, having been at around $575,000 when the house was bought in mid-2012.
 
 
 
 
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Preston House Rules house hits the Melbourne auction market

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Karina and Brian, the West Australian couple were the first team to be eliminated from House Rules. Karina and Brian stood to pocket their mortgage of middle order $360,000 if they had won the latest Channel 7 series of House Rules.
<div class=" is-preview"><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CIFfuVOWUAA-ikz.jpg" alt="Embedded image permalink"></div>
The remaining five contestants on the Seven reality home-renovation competition have mortgage prize potential between $250,000 and $448,000 with Bronik and Corrine potentially the biggest winner. It will be the cheapest mortgage prize yet in the three-series ratings winner, though Channel 7 are also giving away to <a href="/expert-insights/buying/house-rules-holiday-home-prize-at-toogoom-hervey-bay">a viewer a Toogoom, Hervey Bay holiday home.</a>
Viewers would expect Sydney to have the highest mortgage but Steve Falzon - of the <a href="https://au.tv.yahoo.com/house-rules/teams/steve-and-tiana/#page1">father and daughter team </a>- bought his Shalvey house for $130,000 around 23 years ago. He has a $250,000 mortgage that would be wiped if they (pictured below) win the Johanna Griggs' hosted series.
<img src="/images/2015/05/20/700_steve_tiana.jpg" alt="">
 
2) Contestants, Ryan and Marlee's mortgage is $229,000 - paying off what the Adelaide couple dub the ugliest house in South Australia. Ryan Rebbeck purchased <a href="https://au.tv.yahoo.com/house-rules/houses/ryan-and-marlee/#page1" target="_blank">the house</a> four years ago alone, and works two jobs, garbage collector and paver. Marlee Murphy, who works as a travel agent, entered the duo on the show now in its third series.
They have big shoes to fill as the first House Rules winners South Australian team Carly and Leighton took out the top prize of the high rating renovation show, with their $450,000 mortgage wiped clean. Michelle and Steve from New South Wales were announced runners up in that series. They had wanted their $629,000 mortgage – the biggest mortgage on the show - wiped, but ofcourse they didn’t walk away empty handed with their newly renovated home to be potentially worth $180,000 to $225,000 more. The second series was won by Victoria’s Adam and Lisa who had their $546,000 mortgage paid off.
3) The 2015 Tasmanian House Rules contestants, Cassie and Matt have a $248,000 mortgage, the third smallest on the series. Their affordable, quirky 1960s home is in the Geilston Bay suburb.
4) Brisbane couple Ben and Danielle's mortgage is $405,000. They are the newlywed who bought the Brisbane home four years ago.
5) The $500,000 early 2014 purchase in Reservoir by House Rules contestant couple Bronik and Corrine sits as the priciest of potential prize outlay.
Bronik Davies, who confided that he was the first of his male descendants to own a house, has a $448,000 mortgage which would be wiped if the couple win the renovation competition.
House Rules premiered in May 2013 with the state-versus-state renovation series, from the makers of My Kitchen Rules, aiming to deliver true home renovations as the six contestant couples put their entire home on the line
Host Johanna Griggs expected and got lots of passion and pride in the way teams tackled the renovations.
"It's a bunch of likeable Australians with amazing back stories," <a href="/expert-insights/investing/house-rules-the-new-addictive-reality-television-show-on-the-block-renovates-for-keeps">Griggs advised Property Observer</a> with a "life-changing prize on the line." 
Johanna Griggs, the presenter of Better Homes and Gardens, is herself a keen home renovator, who on launch was building her fourth home with husband, builder Todd Huggins.
"You put your heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears into what you produce and when you realise you’ve done it together it’s an incredibly satisfying and addictive feeling."
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