<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" 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/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Housing Renovations

<html><body>
The Melbourne based chippies and half brothers, Tim, 32, and Mat, 27, (pictured above) thought they had the upper hand in the 2019 series of House Rules.
But they failed losing just by two points to Victorian dance teachers Pete, 32, and Courtney, 31. The judge Laurence Llewelyn Bowen awarded them a 10 for their final renovation, taking Pete and Courtney to a score of 29/30 from the judges while Melbourne brothers Tim and Mat received 27 points. 
Three teams battled it out in the House Rules 2019 Grand Final challenge after facing off in a seven day luxury loft challenge.
South Australia’s Lisa and Andy finished in third spot on 26 points.
From day one the chippies duo reckoned they have the requisite "background in carpentry and building, along with being able to visualise things before they are put together".
They had Tim’s family home, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-thornbury-128700662" target="_blank">a 1950s weatherboard cottage in Thornbury</a> (pictured below) that’s never been seriously renovated, get the makeover.
<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/2019/4/26/thorn.jpg" alt="">
It cost $972,000 last July, having been held in the same family for over 50 years.
The charming double-fronted home, marketed by Nelson Alexander as having a well-maintained interior, comprises an entry foyer, three large bedrooms, central living room leading through to an updated kitchen and meals area.
There's a separate laundry, store room and verandah that overlooks a large rear yard offering plenty of scope and opportunity to expand on the 352 square metre block.
It had been listed with a $900,000 to $990,000 price guide.
This year, the six teams on House Rules weren't just renovating, but required to innovate.
The six teams renovated and styling each other's homes, with the aim of taking out the top prize of $250,000 in the seventh series of the reality renovation show hosted by Joanna Griggs.
<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/2019/4/26/lisa-andy.jpg" alt=""> 
Lisa and Andy 
SA couple Lisa and Andy had been together for 11 years before they got hitched. 
Newlyweds, Lisa, 30, and Andy, 32 have previously renovated a home. The fireman and flight attendant live in Adelaide.
<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/2019/4/26/mikaela-eliza.jpg" alt="">
Mikaela and Eliza
Not so WA renovation rookies, Mikaela, 24, and Eliza, 21, the surfie sisters who have both been ranked among the top 100 female surfers in the world. Their family home is in the Margaret River region.
<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/2019/4/26/pete-courtney%201.jpg" alt="">
Pete and Courtney 
Victorian dance teachers Pete, 32, and Courtney, 31, come with one of the biggest houses the show has ever seen. 
The pair, who live in a huge brown-brick '80s mega-mansion, are no strangers to renovations, having once flipped a three-bedroom apartment in two weeks. They live in the foothills of Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges at Ferntree Gully.
During the finale the Melbourne parents revealed their baby plans.
<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/2019/4/26/shayn-carly%201.jpg" alt="">
Shayn and Carly
Sunshine Coast couple Shayn, 33 and Carly, 31 says their family is fast outgrowing the house. 
Civil engineer Shayn, who has worked as a chippie and construction supervisor, and wife Carly actually call it their three-bedroom double-brick "prison".
"It's a small rectangular box with bars on the windows, security screens all over the place and not much light," Shayn says.
<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/2019/4/26/katie-alex%201.jpg" alt="">
Katie and Alex
The married NSW-based couple Katie and Alex have a little cottage built in the 1880s in NSW’s Southern Tablelands having moved there from the ACT. 
The stay-at-home mum, and midwife, Katie, 29, and Federal Police officer Alex, 32, desire a working kitchen and a master bedroom that doesn't leak at their Gundaroo home.
 
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Melbourne chippies Tim and Mat end up the House Rules 2019 runners up

<html><body>
The Melbourne based chippies and half brothers, Tim, 32, and Mat, 27, (pictured above) think that they will have the upper hand in the 2019 series of House Rules.
There's no bookies taking bets quite yet ahead of Sunday night's premiere, but the duo reckon they have the requisite "background in carpentry and building, along with being able to visualise things before they are put together".
They will be having Tim’s family home, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-thornbury-128700662" target="_blank">a 1950s weatherboard cottage in Thornbury</a> (pictured below) that’s never been seriously renovated, get the makeover.
<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/2019/4/26/thorn.jpg" alt="">
It cost $972,000 last July, having been held in the same family for over 50 years.
The charming double-fronted home, marketed by Nelson Alexander as having a well-maintained interior, comprises an entry foyer, three large bedrooms, central living room leading through to an updated kitchen and meals area.
There's a separate laundry, store room and verandah that overlooks a large rear yard offering plenty of scope and opportunity to expand on the 352 square metre block.
It had been listed with a $900,000 to $990,000 price guide.
This year, six teams won't just renovate, they will be required to innovate.
The six teams will be renovating and styling each other's homes, with the aim of taking out the top prize of $355,000 in the seventh series of the reality renovation show hosted by Joanna Griggs.
<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/2019/4/26/lisa-andy.jpg" alt=""> 
Lisa and Andy 
SA couple Lisa and Andy had been together for 11 years before they got hitched. 
Newlyweds, Lisa, 30, and Andy, 32 have previously renovated a home. The fireman and flight attendant live in Adelaide.
<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/2019/4/26/mikaela-eliza.jpg" alt="">
Mikaela and Eliza
Not so WA renovation rookies, Mikaela, 24, and Eliza, 21, the surfie sisters who have both been ranked among the top 100 female surfers in the world. Their family home is in the Margaret River region.
<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/2019/4/26/pete-courtney%201.jpg" alt="">
Pete and Courtney 
Victorian dance teachers Pete, 32, and Courtney, 31, come with one of the biggest houses the show has ever seen. 
The pair, who live in a huge brown-brick '80s mega-mansion, are no strangers to renovations, having once flipped a three-bedroom apartment in two weeks. They live in the foothills of Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges at Ferntree Gully.
<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/2019/4/26/shayn-carly%201.jpg" alt="">
Shayn and Carly
Sunshine Coast couple Shayn, 33 and Carly, 31 says their family is fast outgrowing the house. 
Civil engineer Shayn, who has worked as a chippie and construction supervisor, and wife Carly actually call it their three-bedroom double-brick "prison".
"It's a small rectangular box with bars on the windows, security screens all over the place and not much light," Shayn says.
<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/2019/4/26/katie-alex%201.jpg" alt="">
Katie and Alex
The married NSW-based couple Katie and Alex have a little cottage built in the 1880s in NSW’s Southern Tablelands having moved there from the ACT. 
The stay-at-home mum, and midwife, Katie, 29, and Federal Police officer Alex, 32, desire a working kitchen and a master bedroom that doesn't leak at their Gundaroo home.
A derelict warehouse will serve as the first big test for this year’s teams on House Rules.
Season 7 premieres on Sunday April 28 at 6pm.
</body></html>

Melbourne chippies Tim and Mat expect they can win House Rules 2019

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Kyal and Kara Demmrich, who appeared in the popular renovation show earlier this year, have listed their Long Jetty renovation project that they've been documenting room by room.
They've been keeping a journal on <a href="http://www.kyalandkara.com/journal" target="_blank">www.kyalandkara.com/journal</a>.
The couple have also been updating their progress on a joint Instagram account.
Two days ago accompanying a picture of the front deck and driveway, the reno duo stated that they were nearly finished.
"Wow thank you all so much for your lovely comments on our before/after pic," the post read.
"We’ve had a lot of fun doing this project, HARD work but we’re almost at the finish line #LongjettyReno."
Kyal said he and Kara, who are also regulars on The Living Room, thought the unique, retro-influenced feel of the Palm Springs style was an appropriate fit for Long Jetty.
“Palm Springs is a unique city in that it’s like an oasis in the Californian desert,” he said. “Kara and I love how this unique setting gave birth to these design influences which celebrate the outdoors, cooling colours and well-defined architectural lines.
<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/2017/11/21/KyleKara.jpg" alt="">
“Long Jetty has its own distinct feel and flavour on the Central Coast, and we wanted our home to be like a little oasis within a sought-after neighbourhood.”
The home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-long+jetty-127033446" target="_blank">82 Pacific Street</a> has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and indoor and outdoor living areas.
An intricately hand-laid limestone and cladding façade offer a soothing entry point from which the new owners will be able to ‘switch off’ from the activities of the day. 
Raked ceilings soar up to 3.6 metres in living areas which, when combined with skylights, casement windows and oversized stackable glass sliding doors, provides a grand statement and sense of space.
The master bedroom is separate from the other bedrooms, with ‘his’ and ‘hers’ walk-in robes adjoining the ensuite. 
The gourmet kitchen adjoins the outdoor entertaining area where the Palm Springs influence dominates through sleek pool and breezeway blocks providing privacy from the neighbours.
<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/2017/11/21/Kara.jpg" alt="">
LJ Hooker Bateau Bay agents Paul Witney and Penny Hancock are marketing the home for a December 16 auction.
Long Jetty's median house price has risen over 17 percent in the last 12 months, according to CoreLogic, and 62 percent in the last three years. 
 
 
 
</body></html>

firstname1-iYD4UYzvBa

Former Block stars Kyal and Kara Demmrich list Palm Springs-inspired Central Coast renovation

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Cherie Barber, the TV renovation queen and founder of Renovating for Profit, has announced the five winners of this year’s Young Renovators Scholarship.
Tegan Fitzhardy (14), Liam Singer (14), Claudia Howlett (16), Rafi Licenblat (15) and Cooper Page (15) were selected out of hundreds of entrants from across Australia. They have been invited to join Cherie Barber and the RFP team at the next 3-day workshop in Sydney from 14-16 December and learn the ins and outs of how to buy and renovate property for profit.
This marks the second year of the Renovating for Profit Young Renovators Scholarship Program, which offers young people aged between 12 and 17 the opportunity to sit Cherie’s three-day bootcamp, 12 months mentoring from Renovating For Profit’s expert property coaches and a comprehensive homestudy kit containing over $37,000 worth of educational materials.
The image above is Cherie with the winners of the scholarship last year.
Cherie was inspired to establish the Young Renovators Scholarship Program in 2015 after then 12-year-old Akira Ellis attended a RFP training event with his father. Cherie immediately noticed Akira eagerly writing notes and learnt that he wanted to buy and renovate a property as soon as possible so she gifted him entry to her three-day workshop and personally mentored him throughout his first renovation project.
“There are so many young people like Akira who want to learn about property investing and how to turn bricks and mortar into tangible profits; especially with current property trends. Akira and last year’s winners have already completed successful renovations using the knowledge they acquired through the bootcamp and are well are on the way to building profitable property portfolios. I’m so excited for this year’s winners and look forward to helping them become successful renovators too,” says Cherie.
The five winners will be joining Cherie and the Renovating for Profit team at the next three-day event to be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney on 14-16 December.
 
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Cherie Barber announces Young Renovators Scholarship winners

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A Surry Hills terrace, completely dilapidated with missing ceilings and floors, has sold for $1.6 million.
It had a $1.5 million price guide and only spent five days on the market through Bresic Whitney Darlinghurst agents Darren Pearce and Romany Brooks.
<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/2017/09/26/Surry3.jpg" alt="">
The wide terrace, which was a four bedroom, two bathrooms house, is set on a 150 sqm Waterloo Street parcel in the heart of Surry Hills.
It was advertised as having limited access for inspections.
Recently $70,000 was spent on installing beams to support the ceiling and staircase.
Rubbish and household items were also removed in the process.
<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/2017/09/26/Surry2.jpg" alt="">
The home had been vacant for the last decade, with neighbours complaining about rubbish pile up.
In Darlinghurst another dilapidated terrace - although not quite as much as this one - fetched $1,855,000 at its weekend auction.
Property Observer set up a video of the auction which can be seen here.
 
 
 
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Surry Hills dump sells for $1.6 million after five days

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Buyers always love a dump, so a dilapidated Darlinghurst terrace has seen potential buyers carefully streaming over its slightly perilous wooden floorboards over the past few weeks.
The home was listed with $1.75 million hopes through James Peach at Ray White TaylorJones for weekend auction.
Property Observer set up a video of the auction below.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c0-daf8pCrc" frameborder="0" width="450" height="253"></iframe>
It sold at $1,885,000.
The four bedroom, one bathroom house located at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-darlinghurst-126288502" target="_blank">141 Womerah Avenue</a> dates back to the 1890s.
It features an original floorplan spanning two levels on the 108 sq m block.
It last sold in 1955 when machinist Humbert Teuma paid £3,150.
The listing agent James Peach suggested that $500,000 plus would be needed to bring the terrace up to scratch. 
 
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Auction of dilapidated Darlinghurst terrace: Video

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Renovation loan applications have surged over the past six months, highlighting the dilemma of housing affordability, according to home loan lender ME.
Applications for cosmetic loans rose 48% while structural loan requests grew 25% between January and June.
The average amount borrowers requested for structural-related loans such as new builds was $400,000.
For cosmetic-related loans such as kitchen and bathroom renovations, the magic number was $40,000, it said.
ABS figures also confirm renovation lending has reached a new seven-year high:
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/08/24/ME.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
 <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/2017/08/24/ME.jpg" alt="">
Even CommSec chief economist Craig James said last month that in trend terms, loans for alterations and additions of homes (renovations) hit 7-year highs. 
ME Head of Home Loans, Patrick Nolan said the trend towards renovation funding could be related to the high cost of housing.
“While many homeowners are still relocating, it is clear many are choosing to stay put to avoid the high house prices, and expenses such as stamp duty,” he said.
A majority of ME customers are using equity in their home to fund their renovations.
“Home equity is what’s left over when you subtract your home loan from your property’s current market value,” said Nolan.
“If you’ve owned your home for a number of years it’s likely you’ve racked up some impressive gains in home equity.”
Sydney property owners have the most equity in their homes, an average of $443,900 per property, compared to $276,845 in Melbourne and $203,813 in Canberra.
“If you’re ahead with loan repayments, you may be able to use redraw to dip into your equity,” adds Nolan.
“It’s a simple option but you are limited to the value of those additional repayments. Having a loan with an offset account can be an easier way to access equity.”
According to Nolan, renovation is a smart idea to use the equity in one’s home as it typically adds value to the property.
“In addition, quality home improvements can add to your lifestyle and save on the cost and hassle of relocating to a new home.”
He said it was a good idea to check your suburb before spending a bomb on a makeover.
“To avoid spending more on the renovation than the value it adds to your home, consider the market in your area to be sure your improvements will fit in. Adding a fourth bedroom for instance, can make sense if you live in a family-friendly suburb, less so if you’re in an area popular with young singles.
“Next, put your hard earned cash to work where it will deliver the greatest benefit. High quality kitchen and bathroom renovations almost always add value to a property because they have broad appeal. The same can’t be said of outdoor spas or swimming pools, which can be high maintenance and don’t always deliver a fiscal return.”
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ME bank sees spike in renovation applications

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Recent homebuyers are taking on larger scope projects than all other home renovators according to the Houzz &amp; Home Australia survey from Houzz, the platform for home renovation and design.
The survey, of almost 10,000 respondents in Australia and more than 185,000 globally, revealed that over a quarter of renovations are driven by recent home purchases (29 percent).
Recent homebuyers are nearly twice as likely to renovate all of their interior spaces than the average home renovator (15 percent versus eight percent, respectively).
When considering priorities, kitchen projects top the list for recent buyers (31 percent versus 25 percent for the average renovating homeowner), followed by living rooms (32 percent versus 23 percent) and master bathrooms (22 percent versus 17 percent).
“2016 was another strong year for the home renovation market, with homeowners continuing to invest in their homes," said Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz.
“While the majority of renovations are spurred by homeowners’ desire to upgrade a home they have lived in for some time, recent home purchases are also an important driver of home renovation activity.
“Recent homebuyers tend to do more, spend more, and are more likely to hire professionals to help with their renovation projects than other homeowners.”
This year is on track to be another boom year for home renovations, with half of homeowners on Houzz planning to begin or continue renovations in 2017 (50 percent).
Homeowners plan to spend an average of $47,000 on home renovations in 2017. In 2016, kitchen renovations commanded the highest spend ($19,300), followed by master bathrooms ($12,300).
Other top findings include:
Energy Efficient and Healthy Homes:
● While design and functionality top the list of renovation considerations (both 74 percent), almost half of homeowners consider energy efficiency extremely important to their projects (42 percent). To create more energy efficient homes, homeowners are installing home automation technology and solar systems during their renovations (8 percent and 7 percent respectively). Home automation is even more common among recent buyers (15 percent).
● Australian homeowners are also health conscious with almost a quarter reporting health concerns as a priority factor to their renovation project (24%).
Cash is King:
● Seventy-nine percent of homeowners reported to have used cash and savings to fund their projects in 2016.
● Refinancing trails behind at second (15 percent in 2016), with recent homebuyers more likely to refinance than long term owners (21 percent versus 15 percent, respectively).
● Recent buyers are also more likely to use credit cards to fund their projects (16 percent versus 13 percent for long term owners).
Breaking Budget:
● The top challenge facing renovating homeowners in 2016 was staying on budget (34 percent).
● Other top challenges include finding the right products and materials and finding the right service providers (both 33 percent).
Pro is The Go:
● Nine in ten renovating homeowners hired professionals for their renovation projects in 2016, consistent with 2015 (both 89 percent). Recent homebuyers are even more likely to rely on professional help than long term owners (92 percent versus 88 percent, respectively).
Raring to Renovate:
● One in two homeowners on Houzz report plans to renovate over sell their homes (53 percent versus seven percent respectively).
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Recent homebuyers drive renovation activity, Houzz study finds

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As Channel Nine officially start casting for the next contestants for season 13 of The Block, it is reported that St Kilda's grubby Gatwick Hotel could be the heroic site to renovate.
It looks like the show, who worked on the seedy Savills Hotel in season 11, are set to make the Gatwick their biggest layout in the show's history. 
The 64 room hotel had been on the market for a year before being removed from the market in October with an ambitious $11 million asking price.
It has been reported by the local papers that the producers of the reality TV series were in serious negotiations however it is yet to be formally apparent as a done deal.
It would be far and away the biggest price the Block will have paid for a development site and would be over double of the $5,025,000 they paid for the Port Melbourne soap factory for the last series.
The Gatwick Hotel traded for $3.04 million in 1998.
It could be renovated by a fresh batch of contestants, with the ad on <a href="https://www.castasugar.com" target="_blank">www.castasugar.com</a> only appearing in the last few days.
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The Block 2017 starts casting contestants as St Kilda's Gatwick Hotel tipped

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Homeowners in Australia are active home upgraders, according to the 2016 Houzz &amp; Home report.
Houzz, the website platform for home renovation and design, undertook a study, of almost 14,000 respondents in Australia and over 229,000 respondents globally.
It revealed that more than half renovated their homes in 2015 (56 percent), with a similar portion reporting their plans to renovate in 2016 (49 percent).
Almost half of renovating Australian homeowners opt to take on a renovation instead of buying an already “perfect” home due to their desire to stay in their current home or lot (46 percent). A third choose the renovation route in order to remain in their current neighbourhood (33 percent), with 29 percent choosing renovation because it was a more affordable option.
For Millennials, financial considerations are more top of mind – over a third cite affordability as the top reason for renovating versus buying (36%). When it comes to the triggers behind taking on a renovation project, finally having the time tops the list for Aussie renovators (35% of homeowners who renovated their primary homes in 2015), ahead of finally having the financial means (34 percent).
“As the largest survey of home renovation, decorating, and building activity published, Houzz &amp; Home provides unprecedented insights into how homeowners are updating their homes,” said Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at <a href="https://www.houzz.com.au/">Houzz</a>. “Our 2016 findings uncover the factors behind what is driving so many Australian homeowners to renovate to create their ideal home rather than purchasing one that is ‘perfect’ as is, as well as how these factors differ by generation. Interestingly, while the generation of homeowners between the ages of 24 and 34 still comprise a small share of the homeownership population, we’re finding that they are quite active when it comes to home upgrades, and are eager to make their homes their own.”
POPULAR PROJECTS
● Homeowners are prioritising renovation and addition projects in their kitchens (26 percent and 6 percent, respectively), living/family room (25 percent and 7 percent, respectively), non-master bedrooms (20 percent and 4 percent, respectively) and master bathrooms (19 percent and 4 percent, respectively).
● Updating an outdated or undesirable design/style is the top issue addressed in Aussie kitchens and bathrooms (44 percent and 49 percent, respectively). Old or outdated finishes is the top issue being addressed in other interior room renovations (38 percent).
● Many homeowners are tackling home systems upgrades including plumbing (32 percent), electrical (31 percent) and cooling (19 percent).
● For exterior upgrades, top projects include updates to paint (28 percent), gutters/drain pipes (22 percent) and decking (22 percent).
BUDGET? WHAT BUDGET?
● One-third of renovating homeowners take on a renovation project without setting a budget (33 percent), and close to the same share exceed their established budget (27 percent). These figures are largely consistent across all age groups.
● The top budget buster is the decision to opt for more upscale products and materials (44 percent), ahead of products/services being more costly than expected (42 percent) and the discovery of unexpected construction-related issues (33 percent).
● Aussie homeowners on Houzz spent $68,300 on average in home improvements in 2015. Homeowners aged 35-54 drive home renovation spend ($80,300 on average), investing almost twice as much as Millennial homeowners in their home upgrades ($41,200 on average) and a fourth more than those aged 55+ ($57,500 on average).
● When it comes to spending on kitchen renovations – the top home renovation project in 2015 – homeowners spent an average $31,000 on major renovations* of a large kitchen (more than 12 square metres), and $21,840 for major renovations of a small kitchen (less than 12 square metres).
● In terms of bathrooms, homeowners spent an average of $16,440 on major renovations* of a large bathroom in 2015 (more than 5 square metres), and $14,770 for major renovations of a small bathroom (less than 5 square metres).
● How did homeowners finance these projects? The majority of homeowners continue to use personal savings/finances to fund their renovations (78 percent), followed by cash from mortgage refinances (16 percent) and credit cards (14 percent).
A HELPING HAND
● Nine in ten homeowners renovate their homes with professional help (89 percent).
● Professional hiring is popular across all generations of homeowners, although it is slightly higher among those age 55 and over (91 percent, vs. 89 percent for those 35-54 and 85 percent of those 25-34).
● A third of homeowners who hire a professional for their renovations select a home builder (21 percent), while 14 percent hire a kitchen designer or renovator, and 13 percent hire a landscape contractor or gardener.
● Top specialty trades include electricians (71 percent), plumbers (57 percent), and carpenters (40 percent).
THE HOUZZ &amp; HOME SURVEY
*A major renovation at minimum replaces all cabinetry and appliances. Additions are not included in these numbers. Numbers include both DIY projects and those which used design or construction professionals.
The full Australian report is available <a href="https://info.houzz.com/rs/804-JLJ-529/images/Australia_Houzz_%26_Home.pdf">here</a>.
The full Australian report is available <a href="https://info.houzz.com/rs/804-JLJ-529/images/Australia_Houzz_%26_Home.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.
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