Prolific developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/deicorp">Deicorp</a> has secured an $11.6 million sale in its recently launched Lower North Shore apartment development,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/falcon-alexander-crows-nest-8-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Falcon &amp; Alexander</a>.

A family from the Upper North Shore, with three children studying at university, amalgamated two residences to create a 333 sqm spread on the 21st level of the Crows Nest building that is currently under construction.

The apartment will now have four bedrooms, two living areas, and a dedicated study, delivering the scale and functionality typically associated with a freestanding family home.

The apartment will have a&nbsp;50-metre frontage, offering uninterrupted, never-to-be-built-out views stretching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Barangaroo, Sydney Harbour and through to the Heads.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=135323 project_image_fid=351935]

Deicorp Founder Fouad Deiri OAM said the amalgamated residence shows a clear shift in buyer preferences, particularly among downsizers and family owner-occupiers.

“We’re seeing strong demand from buyers who still want space, separation and flexibility, but without the maintenance and travel time that comes with a large suburban home," Deiri said.

"This residence shows how apartment living can genuinely replace a house when it’s designed with scale, outlook and liveability in mind."

Designed for entertaining and everyday family living, the residence will feature a statement kitchen with a butler’s pantry, expansive living and dining zones, and an outdoor barbecue and entertaining setting, all framed by panoramic harbour views.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135323 project_image_fid=351939]

Positioned just a five-minute walk from the new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/crows-nest-nsw-2065">Crows Nest</a> Metro station, Falcon &amp; Alexander is conceived as a vertical village, with residences arranged around a central atrium and shared gardens, alongside premium resident amenities and boutique retail and dining at ground level. The project will also include a boutique 100-room hotel.

Designed by award-winning architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/turner-studio">TURNER</a>, the project will deliver 188 apartments. One-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are available, starting from $1.3 million.

Construction is currently underway and is scheduled to be completed in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135323]

Joel Robinson

Deicorp secures $11.6 million sale at Falcon & Alexander, Crows Nest

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> recently welcomed residents into Uno and Duo, marking the completion of the penultimate stage of its $1.2 billion West Village precinct in Brisbane's West End.

There are only two opportunities remaining in the two-tower stage known as The Allere Collection. Duo is fully sold out, but two penthouses have just been released in the sister tower Uno.

The sprawling penthouses, measuring upward of nearly 350 sqm, have been designed by renowned architecture firm Rothelowman to focus on multi-generational living. One penthouse has four bedrooms, the other five, as well as several living areas. A second entry to the apartments make them ideal for those with several generations living under one roof, allowing for greater independence and flexibility within the same home, an increasingly sought-after feature among extended families looking to remain connected without compromising privacy.

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Built by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a>, one of the best in the construction game, Duo forms part of a connected, pet-friendly vertical community that brings together two architecturally aligned towers with shared rooftop amenity.

Rothelowman Principal Jeff Brown previously described the design philosophy as centred on connection.

“When thinking of ways to nourish a soul one needs connection to self, to nature and to community,” Brown said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=204874]

That ethos is expressed through Duo’s rooftop offering, which includes a pool and heated spa framed by mature planting, a private dining room and residents’ lounge, and BBQ facilities. On the lower levels, residents have access to&nbsp;work-from-home spaces, a workshop, and a pet parlour.

The rooftop captures views across the Brisbane River and back toward the city skyline, positioning it as both a retreat and a social anchor for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=364091]

Owners in Duo also have access to Uno’s rooftop amenities, effectively doubling the shared facilities within the community. At Uno, residents can use a second rooftop pool, additional private dining and entertaining areas, a teppanyaki grill, and the Paw Pavilion, an off-leash space designed for residents’ dogs. The reciprocal access reinforces the project’s “vertical neighbourhood” model, where common areas are intended to extend the footprint of each apartment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=114215 project_image_fid=5710]

The Allere Collection sits within West Village, a 2.6-hectare mixed-use precinct just 800 metres from the Brisbane CBD. Delivered progressively since 2016 on the former Peters Ice Cream factory site, the masterplan now integrates heritage buildings, retail and dining, health and wellness providers, and open green space into an established inner-west address.

Sekisui has released the final stage of the development, Callista on Park, set to be completed in Q2 next year. With the first release now 95 per cent sold out, limited large-scale three- and four-bedroom residences remain, priced from $2.6 million.

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Allere Collection residents move in as multi-award winning West Village enters its final chapter

Construction is underway at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a>, the boutique residential development by <a>Excelon Projects</a> on Stephen Street in Yarraville, following the appointment of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/balmain-co">Balmain &amp; Co</a> as builder.

The milestone marks a significant step forward for the 53-residence project, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/six-degrees-architects">Six Degrees Architects</a> with landscape architecture by Simone Bliss Landscape Architects, conceived around a strong focus on community, craftsmanship and connection to nature.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/excelon-projects">Excelon Projects</a>’ vision brings together 41 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and 12 townhomes arranged around a central landscaped garden, prioritising liveability in a low-rise, low-density format.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297728]

Open-air corridors, a light-filled lobby and generous setbacks are intended to enhance day-to-day comfort while reinforcing the development’s community-oriented design approach.

Car parking has been located underground to prioritise shared green space and pedestrian movement through the site, allowing the landscaped garden to form the central organising element of the development.

Interiors incorporate custom pieces by Melbourne makers including leadlight pendants by Adadaz, hand-turned timber door handles by Auburn Woodturning, and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen, embedding a layer of local craftsmanship throughout the homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297736]

Sustainability has also informed the design approach, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating. Passive design measures such as cross-ventilation and thermal mass aim to reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling, while rooftop solar panels will supply power to common areas and harvested rainwater will be reused for landscape irrigation.

Positioned along the quiet, tree-lined Stephen Street, Yarraville Green sits between Yarraville and Seddon villages, placing residents within walking distance of cafés, dining, boutique retail and the Sun Theatre.

Seddon Station is also a short walk away, ideal for residents seeking an inner-west address with strong amenity and transport connections.

Completion of Yarraville Green is anticipated in 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Balmain & Co appointed builder as construction begins at Excelon Projects’ Yarraville Green

A long-stalled Mermaid Beach development site opposite Pacific Fair, previously earmarked for a twin-tower project, is set for a fresh development push with plans for a major mixed-use residential tower.&nbsp;

Billionaire garbo Ian Malouf's development company, REMI Residences, is proposing Project Elegance, a 44-storey tower with over 270 residential apartments and 88 short-term accomodation units at&nbsp;2065 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach, on the corner of Mermaid Avenue.

Malouf paid $23.76 million for the 3,783 sqm site in 2022, six years after it traded for $34.1 million when it was bought by Hubei United Investment Group.

 
<img alt="First Look: REMI Developments plans major mixed-use tower with 360 apartments at stalled Mermaid Beach site" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" data-widget="image" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Mermaid%20Beach%20da%20podium.png?VersionId=yRYSSPItvCA5ZeQ49LlwkQYVn7OhEqIC" /><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" draggable="true" height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" />

&nbsp;

The design statement by DKO says Project Elegance "represents a holistic response to its coastal and urban context. It draws upon site, climate, and landscape to create a composed architectural outcome that prioritises occupant experience, public interface, and long-term viability via vibrant and active uses."

They say the subject site&nbsp;occupies a distinctive island parcel with three street frontages and prominent visual exposure to passing visitors.

"This unique position allows the development to form a panoramic dialogue with water and city, setting the foundation for a climate-responsive, site-specific architectural expression.&nbsp;The podium base, inspired by the region’s sandstone headlands and coastal setting, and adopts a sculpted and grounded character that provides a stable counterpoint to the slender tower above."

&nbsp;

<img alt="First Look: REMI Developments plans major mixed-use tower with 360 apartments at stalled Mermaid Beach site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4f088e10-6493-49d4-83cd-10fc039318ac" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Mermaid%20Beach%20da%20tower.png?VersionId=Sbglj0tNBqyvY5V_DlVH.bvjXi8kBbfl" />

Residents and guests would have access to multiple communal recreation levels. Plans include a shared recreation deck on level six, with a pool and three padel courts. There will be a residential-only pool on level seven, and an upper-level communal space only accessible by those buyers towards the top of the tower.

&nbsp;

Ground-floor commercial spaces are proposed to operate between 5am and midnight, contributing to an activated street frontage along the busy Gold Coast Highway corridor.

The site sits within the High Density Residential zone and a Light Rail Urban Renewal Area, where planning policy encourages higher-density development close to transport infrastructure and services. The planning report states the project aims to “ensure the efficient reuse of this centrally located property” and support the transformation of inner-city areas into “more vibrant, compact, interesting, connected and active” precincts.

&nbsp;

The proposal marks the latest attempt to unlock the high-profile parcel, which previously carried approval for the “Elegance” twin-tower development, a project that included more than 500 apartments but ultimately stalled after sales activity ceased in 2019.

REMI Developments has been increasingly active in the Gold Coast property market, with the Malouf-led group positioning itself around premium residential and lifestyle-focused projects as the region continues to attract both interstate buyers and international interest.

Malouf is one of Australia's most impressive entrepreneurs, having sold his waste business fore more than $500 million, having started only with a small truck at 18 years old.

First Look: Billionaire Ian Malouf plans Mermaid Beach tower

A State Significant Development proposal from Ecove Group could see two high-rise residential towers developed above an ALDI-anchored retail podium in Gordon.

The 28-storey towers, dubbed Eight 10, would become the tallest in the sleepy Upper North Shore suburb, which has been stirred by changes to the Low to Mid-Rise Housing Policy aimed at triggering greater density around transport hubs.

Ecove Group’s plans for 810 Pacific Highway, a 2,357 sqm site around 400 metres from Gordon railway station, include 180 apartments, 39 of which would be dedicated as affordable housing.

Architecture firm PBD said in its Design Report the site "presents an exciting opportunity to positively contributes to the surrounding context, enhances the overall urban experience."

<img alt="First Look: Ecove lodges State Significant Development plans for dual-tower “Eight 10” project at 810 Pacific Highway, Gordon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e50141fa-fb0b-44b3-bf9b-c6d87b993c3b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Eight%2010%20podium.png?VersionId=YTgQPBxNnmQwr6x2AJSpVZ1COqa.9oLQ" />

The site previously received approval for a development comprising 56 apartments above retail in 2018.

PBD noted in its report that the planning&nbsp;context for the site has "evolved significantly since the original consent was issued."

In April 2024, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) identified the site as being located within a Transport Oriented Development (TOD) precinct. In parallel, Ku-ring-gai Council progressed a preferred planning framework for Gordon Town Centre, including proposed amendments to the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan 2015 (KLEP 2015).

<img alt="First Look: Ecove lodges State Significant Development plans for dual-tower “Eight 10” project at 810 Pacific Highway, Gordon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf65fb26-a163-41ea-a4d3-8ddbeabd67e4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Eight%2010%20MAP.png?VersionId=vrQJzXSg3xRH.APBmtth5mA2adPmUPjc" />

PBD said the proposed development "responds to the amended KLEP 2015 and, in addition, seeks to utilise the floor space ratio and height incentives available under Chapter 2, Part 2, Division 1 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing) 2021."

Late last year the first project in Gordon through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority was approved. That was for 106 apartments across two connected seven to eight-storey buildings.

Ecove plans 28-storey apartment towers in Gordon

Lj Hooker

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LJ Hooker has appointed KPMG to help restructure the group via a voluntary administration process.
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LJ Hooker chairman Janusz Hooker has sought out three KPMG accountants as administrators to five known LJ Hooker entities.
The appointments included LJX Pty Ltd which is the shareholder in the Lower North Shore AVNU agency, LJHA (LNS) Pty Ltd, which is not in administration, nor the LJHA (LNS) ultimate holding company, Austral Pty Ltd.
The appointments were made on Thursday.
It comes as LJ Hooker Group's directors reportedly seek to recapitalise the wider business with fresh funds, along with a wish to simplify it's operations and carry less debt.
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The AFR reported the goal of chairman and founding family member (Leslie) Janusz Hooker - who bought back into the family business in 2009 - and former Macquarie dealmaker Bryan Weir was to emerge from the process with a simpler corporate structure.
"Sources close to the group" advised the administration would not impact the real estate agent's core LJ Hooker franchise business, or its employees.
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It was revealed by the AFR Street Talk column on Sunday.
Each of the entities was said to be a holding company - and not operating companies.
The five sit among 40 entities in the wider LJ Hooker Group.
<div id="endOfArticle" class="_3dNuq">
Documents filed with ASIC show Ryan Eagle, Philip Quinlan and Amanda Coneyworth were appointed administrators to entities including LJHRES which was set up in 2015 and LJHRES HOLDINGS which was set up in 2017.
LJX Labs and LJX Holdings have also had an administrator appointed.
After dumping plans for a $400m stockmarket float, Janusz Hooker, unveiled the LJX Lab in 2017.
The digital research and development vehicle was set to look to foster innovation by identifying, incubating and commercialising products in the prop-tech sector.
AVNU LNS chief performance officer Christine Mikhael resigned her directorship last Thursday from AVNU LNS.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Janusz Hooker calls in KMPG administrators to restructure LJ Hooker

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LJ Hooker today announced its new brand tagline ‘When you know, you know’.
The tagline is a modern evolution of the brand’s well-known tagline from the 1980s ‘nobody does it better’. 
LJ Hooker Chief Operating Officer Ruth Trewhella said extensive research underpinned the philosophy of the new brand tagline, with the capability of leading the company into its century celebrations.  
She said, “we felt it was time to move on from what has been a very effective brand expression on our experience to something that’s far more reflective of what we stand for today, but that’s also consistent with our heritage. 
"Our new brand tagline is an all-encompassing statement that reinforces our customer-first approach to the market. 
“It also represents LJ Hooker’s values and capabilities while allowing our offices to customise it to their local market,” said Mrs Trewhella. 
They have launched their brand new tagline via an outdoor marketing campaign, with digital screens across more than 250+ shopping centres nation-wide.
LJ Hooker Head of Marketing James McGregor said the new creative centres on key customer moments and emotional drivers supported by instinctual decision-making in real estate.
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LJ Hooker reveal new brand tagline

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A foundation director of Stone Real Estate Double Bay, Daniel Baran has departed to join LJ Hooker.
He leaves Reece Coleman and Paul Wigan as the Stone principals.
<a href="https://www.stonerealestate.com.au/stone-double-bay/meet-team/daniel-baran/" target="_blank">Baran's </a>prior office, The Agency, was selected to be the first office in Sydney's east for the new Stone brand from January 2017.
Stone had offices in Dee Why, Lane Cove, Lindfield, Manly, McMahons Point, Mona Vale, Neutral Bay, Seaforth and Turramurra and globally more than 550 member firms of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.
Having lived in the eastern suburbs all his life, Baran is a well-known local real estate agent.
Since starting his career in the mid-80s, he has achieved numerous record-breaking results.
In the 1990s, he was as Nationwide Realty Double Bay during which he took space in the local paper to tell readers that his life as a salesman was like that of a doctor on duty 24 hours a day. 
The ad has a shot of the mobile phone-toting Baran alongside a photo of a doctor in gown, mask and gloves nursing a newborn baby.
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Daniel Baran quits Stone for LJ Hooker

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LJ Hooker Avnu is set to expand into Sydney’s northern districts with the appointment of Ben Mulae and his team of two associates.
His previous agency was First National which had "archaic" systems for marketing, compliance and client reporting, he suggested.
“I’m excited to have joined Avnu, with its cutting-edge platform that now streamlines and automates much of this so that I can really nurture my client relationships and execute on our sales strategies.”
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_/50807330/REB_PremiumNewsTile_800x250_0__container__">The Hunters Hill=based Mulae joined LJ Hooker Avnu with his associate agents Angie Wong and Martika Whitfield.</div>
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He said they have been a team for more than four years.
While they will lead the expansion into the Northern Districts, they advise they will be continuing to service clients in Putney, Gladesville, Ryde, Tennyson Point and surrounding suburbs.
Benjamin has been consistently ranked in the top two percent of First National Real Estate Agents across NSW. 
First National is the largest independent real estate network in Australia.
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LJ Hooker Avnu expand further into Sydney’s northern districts

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LJ Hooker took down the video marketing of a luxury Padstow home after its raunchy marketing trended on Twitter last month.
The video was marketing a newly built home by its agent Sam Nader, who claimed the video had 60,000 views in its first 24 hours.
But it has paid off having sold for $1.72 million prior to this weekend's auction.
The luxury <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-padstow-130990534" target="_blank" title="www.realestate.com.au">Padstow home at 42 Chamberlain Road</a> sold to a 23-year-old first homebuyer.
<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/2019/5/31/pad%202.jpg" alt="">
The Daily Telegraph reported the buyer saw the home after his brother told him about the property’s video.
It shows a man in a white Jaguar arrive and park in the driveway of the four bedroom, two bathroom home.
The cinematic offering then turned 50 shades of grey film-style as he's met inside by the blond female occupant, then dancing through the property's loungeroom, prowling across the kitchen benchtop, taking a swim, and then settling into bed as they tuned out the lights.
All cut to a thudding dirty dancing R&amp;B beat.
No simple walkthrough that most estate agency videos offer they vendors.
LJ Hooker apologised for the sexy two minute video saying it "missed the mark".
“LJ Hooker Bankstown is always looking for new ways to market our listings; however, this time we missed the mark,” it said in a statement.
“We live and we learn," adding the video had been "taken out of context by some".
Nader had earlier indicated marketed needed something different “in this property market to make it stand out.”
The home in south-western Sydney home replaced a 1950s fibre home following its $875,000 sale in 2016 to the vendor, Adam Ibrahim.
It was produced by the Sydney photography studio Opticool Studios. 
<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/2019/5/31/pad%203.jpg" alt="">
The ultra contemporary home comes with striking marble flooring and chandelier entry.
The rear of of the 550 square metre holding has a "glistening L-shaped saltwater swimming pool".
Padstow's four bedroom median house price has slipped over the past year for $1.1 million to $975,000.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

LJ Hooker Padstow sale after raunchy house video trended on Twitter 

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Jason Georges, has become the latest sales agent to join the LJ Hooker Avnu team as it continues to make its mark in the blue chip Lower North Shore. 
LJ Hooker Avnu now claims to have the largest market share in arguably Australia’s most valuable suburb, Mosman.  
Georges was previously with Ray White Willoughby, where he was recognised as one of their top 10 agents in the Sydney region.
Despite slowing market conditions in Sydney, since joining LJ Hooker Avnu Georges has already signed seven listings totalling over $13 million. 
“We’re thrilled to welcome Jason to the team at LJ Hooker Avnu," Christine Mikhael, LJ Hooker Avnu chief performance officer said,” said Mikhael.
“His intimate knowledge of the Willoughby and surrounds second to none and his track record is impressive.”
LJ Hooker Avnu hopes to supercharge its sales agents’ abilities to serve their clients, by creating a technology enhanced full-service agency.
By streamlining much of the administration demands of their day-to-day activities and utilising platforms and tools which create much greater efficiencies, sales agents are freed-up to spend more time on client facing activities.  
“I grew up in the Lower North Shore, so I feel very connected to the area,” Georges said.  
“The area has evolved in that time, and so has real estate. How real estate was transacted 10 years ago, even two years ago, has changed.  
“My clients now want to know what’s happening in their sales journey in real time.”
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LJ Hooker Avnu expand with Jason Georges joining in Willoughby

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The former McGrath agent, Michael Coombs has confirmed to Nine Entertainment that he will join LJ Hooker's Avnu, a little-known, newly launched, technology-based full-service agency operating on the lower North Shore of Sydney.
The move was <a href="/news/what-is-lj-hookers-avnu-the-much-hyped-new-avenue-in-real-estate">foreshadowed last month</a> on Property Observer.
Avnu markets itself as allowing agents and their clients to manage their sales and properties in real time through enhanced digital online software.
Avnu is based in Neutral Bay, on the lower north shore, not far from the Mosman McGrath office which Coombs departed late last year.
Coombs anticipates the current "proptech" revolution in the residential market paved the way for how homes would be sold in the future.
Coombs <a href="/news/michael-coombs-departs-mcgrath">departed McGrath</a> late last year, after two years of speculation on his future amid a fractured franchise operating within the besieged McGrath Group.
LJ Hooker picked the lower north shore - where is has operated since the 1950s - to launch the Avnu brand with its rather odd name.
With fewer than 20 sales since its office launch, Coombs could be expected to possibly turbo-charge the office which has the branding: a new avenue in real estate.
Coombs joined the agency with $100 million in unsold listings.
Avnu took over the gap left by the LJ Hooker flop, <a href="/news/settl-lj-hookers-diy-hybrid-property-sales-platform-to-take-on-disruptors">Settl</a>, a thwarted part of LJ Hooker’s envisaged $100 million digital transformation.
Avnu, run by former Google, Twitter and LinkedIn execs, aims to reshape the homebuyer experience by smoothing the process where there's an estimated 200 steps involved in buying a property, between appraisal and settlement.
It’s a separate entity to the LJ Hooker franchise model and will have its own agents.
There will be a shop front despite its cloud-based technology approach.
With little fanfare, its chairman and local resident L. Janusz Hooker launch the app mid-last year.
“It’s your normal LJ Hooker, but it’s a place where technology is driving the process for both agents and consumers," said the grandson of the company’s founder, Sir Leslie Joseph Hooker.
Jason Chuck, the chief executive of LJ Hooker Avnu, was a former local founder and managing director of eHarmony and Houzz, and before that head of marketing for Google.
Christine Mikhael, the former general manager of sales and training at McGrath LNS, has been the director of sales and performance since March.
Mr Chuck said the LJ Hooker Avnu platform is the first of its kind and offers the "next frontier of customer service in what is a very fragmented industry".
"If someone was to start a real estate agency today, this is the model they would use. It's a clean slate for what is effectively an industry start-up for the next century," Mr Chuck told Nine Entertainment.
Its customers pay the usual industry-based fees for marketing and agent costs.
LJ Hooker Avnu's early recruits include Adrian Bridges.
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"I believe Avnu is a company that is going to pioneer the way real estate is done in over the next few years and I wanted to be apart of it," Coombs told Nine Entertainment.
While he anticipates the agency will be helpful to millennials, Coombs stresses he can still service clients who prefer a traditional method.
Coombs also advised the sales commission at Avnu will be at the standard market rate.
LJ Hooker says the LJ Hooker Avnu company is owned by private shareholders while Coombs will owns shares in its flagship office.
Coombs had previously held equity in the McGrath Mosman franchise but sold it back to the principals around 20 months ago.
He was among the few McGrath agents not to take shares when the McGrath Group floated in late 2015 on the ASX.
When he left school he did landscaping for a while.
The median Mosman sale in the last six months of 2018 was $1.58 million with Ray White indicating today its office secured an office median sale price $2.15 million higher than the market after a $25 million sale.
The three McGrath LNS offices had 350 sales in 2018 with 10 above $10 million.
The McGrath business acquired Laing &amp; Simmons Milsons Point last year, taking total properties under management to 2,600 properties, the largest rent roll on the lower north shore.
The Dean Mackie-led franchise lost its McGrath operations late last year when McGrath Estate Agents provided the stockmarket with an update regarding the April 2019 renewal of its Sydney Lower North Shore franchise office arrangement.
McGrath formally announced it had withdrawn its offer to extend the franchise agreement beyond April.
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“We have a clear plan to rejuvenate our presence in the region," McGrath chief, Geoff Lucas said.
The shareholders were told by Lucas the LNS profitability had "fallen below expectations in recent years.”
The Mackie-led team, who have had the LNS operation since 2005 and have privately disputed the portrayal by Lucas, quickly formalised plans to instead open a Di Jones office this year.
The former Lower North Shore McGrath franchisees Dean Mackie and Piers van Hamburg will do so without David Howe who is retiring from real estate, with a shift into restaurants mooted.
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Michael Coombs confirmed as LJ Hooker Avnu recruit

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One of McGrath's top selling Sydney agents, Michael Coombs is tipped to join LJ Hooker's Avnu, a little-known, newly launched, technology-based full-service agency.
Avnu allows agents and customers to manage their sales and properties in real time through digital online software.
Avnu is based in Neutral Bay, on the lower north shore, not far from the Mosman McGrath office which Coombs departed mid-week.
Coombs has privately acknowledge the current "proptech" revolution in the residential market paved the way for how homes would be sold in the future.
Coombs <a href="/news/michael-coombs-departs-mcgrath">departed McGrath</a> earlier this week.
LJ Hooker picked the lower north shore - where is has operated since the 1950s - to launch the Avnu brand.
With little fanfare, its chairman and local resident L. Janusz Hooker launch the app mid-year.
“It’s your normal LJ Hooker, but it’s a place where technology is driving the process for both agents and consumers," said the grandson of the company’s founder, Sir Leslie Joseph Hooker.
With fewer than 20 sales since its office launch, Coombs could be expected to turbo-charge the office which has the banding: a new avenue in real estate.
One of Avnu's recently listings was an East Killara mid-century design trophy home.
The Harold R. McCauley-designed modernist house was offered through with $1.8 million hopes through LJ Hooker Avnu agent Vanessa Coles, who was previously with Belle Property.
Avnu, run by former Google, Twitter and LinkedIn execs, aims to reshape the homebuyer experience by smoothing the process where there's an estimated 200 steps involved in buying a property, between appraisal and settlement.
It’s a separate entity to the LJ Hooker franchise model and will have its own agents and shop front despite its cloud-based technology approach.
Jason Chuck, the chief executive of LJ Hooker Avnu, was a former local founder and managing director of eHarmony and Houzz, and before that head of marketing for Google.
Ajeya Vempati, former Google Engineering lead, consultant for LinkedIn and Twitter, came on as LJ Hooker Avnu's chief technology officer.
Head of product at LJ Hooker Avnu is James Piskorz.
Christine Mikhael, the former general manager of sales and training at McGrath LNS, has been the director of sales and performance since March. At age 23, Mikhael became the youngest woman in Australia to establish and solely own a real estate agency.
Mr Chuck said the LJ Hooker Avnu platform is the first of its kind and offers the "next frontier of customer service in what is a very fragmented industry".
"If someone was to start a real estate agency today, this is the model they would use. It's a clean slate for what is effectively an industry start-up for the next century," Mr Chuck told Nine Entertainment.
Its customers pay the usual industry-based fees for marketing and agent costs.
Avnu's company registration was preceded by <a href="/news/settl-lj-hookers-diy-hybrid-property-sales-platform-to-take-on-disruptors">Settl</a>, a thwarted part of LJ Hooker’s $100 million digital transformation. 
LJ Hooker Avnu's early recruits include Adrian Bridges who was ranked in Australia's REB Top 100 agents and recorded more than $120 million in sales last year.
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What is LJ Hooker's Avnu? the much hyped new avenue in real estate

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A former LJ Hooker real estate agent with a resumed drug habit has been jailed for five years. 
Ngo will be eligible to apply for parole after he has served at least three years.
The sentencing judge described his financial mismanagement akin to a Ponzi scheme.
Joseph Ngo, 37, also known as Tri Duc Ngo, managed accounts of six LJ Hooker franchises in Melbourne’s south-east, including Glen Waverley and Mount Waverley.
Between January 2015 and March 2016, just over $6 million was misappropriated from trust accounts linked to the six offices.
Ngo used just over $2 million of that on clothing, jewellery and drugs, including ice.
The alarm was only raised in April 2016 when Consumer Affairs Victoria was told that the business’ trust accounts were overdrawn.
In sentencing on Thursday, County Court judge Michael Bourke said Ngo’s behaviour was dishonest, harmful and prolonged.
He ruled Ngo needed to be condemned for what he had done as it breached the trust of the victims and their faith in the property system.
Ngo was addicted to heroin and cannabis earlier in life, the judge said, but despite his attempts at abstinence, he spent $300,000 on ice during his offending. 
After the sale of Ngo's property, the victims were needing to be repaid $2.1 million from the Victorian Property Fund at Victorian tax payer expense.
Judge Bourke ordered that Ngo repay that money while noting the chances of that compensation occurring were remote.
Ngo pleaded guilty to 48 charges under the estate agents act and two summary offences relating to taking a direct interest in the sales of property.
Defence counsel Erol Cinar had argued that Ngo had shown remorse, had no intention to return to real estate and had a severe mental condition, exacerbated by drug use.
Fairfax Media reported Ngo had been convicted in 2001 of armed robbery and attempted armed robbery, as well as heroin trafficking before that.
Judge Bourke said if not for an early guilty plea, Ngo would have been jailed for seven years.
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Former armed robber turned LJ Hooker Glen Waverley agent sentenced to three years jail 

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A former real estate agent who misappropriated more than $6 million from clients to fund his lavish lifestyle has asked a Melbourne judge to spare him from prison.
But Tri Duc Ngo, also known as Joseph Ngo, who has pleaded guilty to misusing $6.49 million from trust account funds of 46 clients linked to six LJ Hooker offices in Melbourne, was advised he should serve some time in jail for his crime.
Ngo co-operated six LJ Hooke branches at Glen Waverley, Box Hill, Burwood, Doncaster, Keysborough and Mount Waverley.
County Court Judge Michael Bourke said Ngo, who was reported to suffer psychosis and a schizoaffective disorder, should serve some time in jail.
He spent some of the money on drugs such as ice.
The court heard at a plea hearing in November that Mr Ngo had splashed stolen cash at high-end jewellery stores including Swarovski and Tiffany &amp; Co.
Six LJ Hooker offices in Melbourne's outer east were closed when Consumer Affairs Victoria was alerted.
Defence lawyer Erol Cinar said the father-of-four should be spared jail because his four-year-old had not yet made lasting memories of his father.
He also argued Ngo was active in his church community.
The court was advised the remorseful Ngo had no intention to return to real estate.
Judge Michael Bourke released Ngo on bail for one day to collect his medications, with plans to remand him in custody on Tuesday before sentencing at a later date.
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The judge declared a lesser punishment would be “disproportionate.”
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"The offending occurred over a protracted period between January 2015 and March 2016," crown prosecutor Robyn Harper.
"The offending occurred over a protracted period between January 2015 and March 2016," she said.
"The scale is massive ... (and) there's been no evidence he's repaid the money."
 
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