Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]

Joel Robinson

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]

Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Mortgage relief? NAB forecasts RBA rate cut, not hike, after softer economic conditions

A local downsizer has splashed $6.5 million on a penthouse in Perifa's Alex &amp; Willow development in Crows Nest. 
&nbsp; 
The purchaser sold their long-held family home in the area before embarking on a six-month search for the right apartment. After inspecting a range of options across the Lower North Shore, the buyer returned to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/alex-willow-crows-nest-82-90-alexander-street-crows-nest-nsw-2065">Alex &amp; Willow</a>. 
&nbsp; 
The buyer profile reflects the project’s broader purchaser mix. <a>Alex &amp; Willow</a> has attracted predominantly local downsizers looking to transition from larger homes without compromising on space or quality, alongside a smaller cohort of upsizers and investors drawn to the project’s location and design credentials. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone sale comes as the project, developed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">Perifa</a>&nbsp;and delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile-made-construction">Versatile Construction</a>, both part of Versatile Group, reaches 60 per cent sold.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=371325] 
&nbsp; 
Eddie Mansour, Managing Partner of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/ray-white-projects">Ray White Projects</a>, said the result demonstrates not only a headline price but also depth of demand. 
&nbsp; 
“This is an exceptional outcome and a clear reflection of sustained buyer demand for premium, well-located downsizer product,” Mansour said.

“We’re seeing a consistent pattern of local homeowners selling family residences and reinvesting into high-quality apartments that allow them to remain within their community. Alex &amp; Willow has resonated strongly with this group because it offers genuine scale, thoughtful design and immediate proximity to the village.” 
&nbsp; 
The sale reflects a broader and consistent trend of local downsizers actively seeking high-quality, low-maintenance residences close to established village centres. Agents report that demand for this product type has remained resilient, particularly where developments offer a rare combination of scale, design quality and walkable amenity. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
Fabrizio Perilli, Managing Director of Perifa and Versatile Group, said the sale marks a defining moment for the project. 
&nbsp; 
“The penthouse sale is a strong endorsement of the quality we have delivered, alongside our partners, and the clear demand from local downsizers for premium, boutique residences in this location,” Perilli said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“Most importantly, we’re proud to see the Alex &amp; Willow community beginning to take shape. As we move closer to completion, we’re looking forward to welcoming residents and seeing the project come to life.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6680 project_image_fid=338516] 
&nbsp; 
Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/nettletontribe">Nettleton Tribe</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/richards-stanisich">Richards Stanisich</a>, Alex &amp; Willow is a boutique collection of generously sized two- and three-bedroom residences in the heart of Crows Nest village.&nbsp;

Completion is slated for early 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6680]

Alex & Willow, Crows Nest penthouse sells off the plan for $6.5 million

Fresh from launching the first stage of its Wollongong precinct, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/keira-place-wollongong-120-122-smith-street-wollongong-nsw-2500">Keira Place</a>, builder-developer Urban Property Group has unveiled plans for the next phase of the masterplanned community.

Now on public exhibition through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway is a State Significant Development Application for a further 657 homes on the prominent gateway site opposite Beaton Park.

The proposal comprises three buildings, including two build-to-sell towers rising 25 and 30 storeys, delivering 391 apartments, alongside a 12-storey co-living building with 266 residences, making it one of the largest co-living proposals currently planned in regional New South Wales.

Of the apartments proposed in the build-to-sell towers, the majority, 310, are two-bedroom dwellings. The balance comprises 44 one-bedroom apartments and 37 three-bedroom residences. Apartment sizes range from around 50 sqm for one-bedroom homes to approximately 90 sqm for three-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19347059-1612-41a0-9c74-b86a657237f8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%2010.02.18%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sWXnaCcA.cIC6N8YT1dg5pJ2e1V3Z6z7" />

The submission says the proposal has evolved significantly from its original Housing Delivery Authority application following extensive consultation with the State Design Review Panel and Wollongong City Council.

The final scheme has been designed to align with the emerging vision for the Flinders Street Precinct, an area identified by Council as a future high-density mixed-use neighbourhood capable of accommodating substantial housing growth close to transport, employment and community infrastructure.

According to the design report prepared by COX Architecture, the development aims to "deliver a built outcome consistent with the future character of the Wollongong CBD while responding to the site's unique constraints and opportunities."

"Our vision for the next phase of the site evolution in Wollongong is grounded in three design pillars that guide the design response: place, natural environment and celebration," COX said.

"Inspired by its surroundings and grounded in the stories of place on Wodi Wodi Country, the design proposal acknowledges the established character of its setting while creating a unique and timeless identity that sits harmoniously within it.

"The design proposal responds to its specific site conditions, acknowledging the vegetation, climate, wind conditions and solar access of the site."

The architecture responds directly to the site's position between Wollongong's urban core and its natural landscape setting.

COX identified views towards Mount Keira and the Illawarra Escarpment as defining features of the site, while the upper levels of the towers will also capture expansive views across the city and out to the Pacific Ocean.

The design team has positioned the tallest buildings closer to the rail corridor, where overshadowing impacts can be better managed while establishing a landmark built form on the northern approach into the city.

<img alt="Smith St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79580d5b-500c-4ebf-9629-797146a4a694" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-10%20at%209.51.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WbTB1EKSG.KDfsfz0F3wp1QVa2oCMGR5" />

Urban Property Group secured the 11,000 sqm Smith Street site in 2022 and has since progressed plans for the broader Keira Place precinct.

Construction recently commenced on the first stage of Keira Place, which will deliver 150 apartments across two residential buildings, including 27 affordable housing apartments and 18 specialist disability accommodation dwellings, alongside activated ground-floor retail and commercial space.

Urban Co-CEO Patrick Elias said the commencement of construction marked a significant milestone for Wollongong and reflected the developer's long-term commitment to regional cities.

"Today's groundbreaking is about turning approvals into homes and moving quickly to deliver much-needed housing in Wollongong's city centre," Elias said.

"Keira Place will provide a diverse mix of homes close to jobs, transport and services, while setting a high benchmark for quality, durability and consumer protection."

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/groundbreaking-marks-start-of-construction-at-keira-place-in-wollongong-cbd">Groundbreaking marks start of construction at Keira Place in Wollongong CBD</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Urban Property Group unveils trio of towers for next stage of new Wollongong precinct, Keira Place

Mark Bouris

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The Mark Bouris-chaired Yellow Brick Road has received a takeover bid from veteran corporate raider Sir Ron Brierley's Mercantile Investment Company.
Mercantile advised it was offering to buy Yellow Brick Road for 9c a share in cash - a 3.2 per cent discount to where the stock traded before the bid was made.
Bouris said the bid was “opportunistic.”
He advised shareholders to take no action.
Mercantile owns almost 20 per cent of the poorly performing YBR.
"YBR shareholders who accept this offer will no longer be exposed to the risks and uncertainties of remaining a YBR shareholder," the Mercantile statement said.
"Mercantile OFM and its associates are disappointed with the financial performance of YBR. Mercantile OFM and its associates first acquired a relevant interest in YBR in November 2016, paying $0.145 per YBR share. Since then, the YBR share price has declined by 35.9 per cent," the statement said.
After Mercantile, which holds 19.9 per cent of YBR, the next largest shareholders are Bouris' Golden Wealth Holdings, which has an 18 per cent stake, and the Nine Entertainment Group, which holds 17 per cent.
Yellow Brick Road Holdings Limited says it is on track to become the leading non-bank financial services company in Australia by 2020.
Mr Bouris said the bid was "opportunistic in its nature, timing, pricing."
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Takeover bid by Brierley for Yellow Brick Road

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Financial services company Yellow Brick Road boss Mark Bouris says “very, very big demand” exists for interest-only loans since the new limits were placed on the banks.
And Bouris wants to step in and fill the gap in the market left by the banks.
The financial services company doesn’t have the ability to provide interest-only loans, instead sending inquiries off to other non-bank lenders while clipping the ticket on the way.
“We don’t have the funding lines to do those particular interest-only loans. We are looking to create the capacity, we’re more than looking,” Mr Bouris told The Australian.
"There are unregulated institutions from around the world and locally that are talking to various people about funding these asset classes that the regular banks don’t want or are unable to lend to."
Interest-only loans accounted for 30 per cent of all new mortgages last quarter, down from 36 per cent in the March quarter, according to figures released by APRA earlier this week.
The company swung to a $1 million after tax profit for the financial year ended June 30 from a $9.5 million loss in the previous year, with executive chairman Mark Bouris saying the smaller lender was well placed to cope with a property market slowdown than bigger rivals.
The strong result was achieved through cost cuts and an increase in loan volumes. 
“The work we’ve done in recent years to expand distribution, increase efficiency and diversify revenue has paid off and allowed us to deliver our maiden profit, even in the face of a tough lending environment,” Bouris said.
He added that despite the volatility of the sector, both loan volumes and revenue had grown. 
Full-year revenue was up 1.6 percent to $218.6 million.
“With these fundamentals in place, we are extremely well-positioned to win in this market,” he said. 
Commenting on the outlook, Bouris said he saw “opportunities for non-bank lenders in the current, tighter credit conditions, and we are considering ways to increase margins in this environment”. 
The group is working on a learning and development platform, which Bouris said was “unlike anything else in the industry”. 
It will boost business skills, technical knowledge and – ultimately - professional standards in the sector, he added.
The 16.7 percent loan growth YBR achieved could be lower due to a slowing residential market but Bouris said the residential market's move to a "healthy, sustainable" level of growth would be good for the whole lending industry.
Only recently, he had said in a column that there was no need to get spooked out by the recent talk about Australia’s housing market bubble set to burst, especially after CoreLogic data pointed to prices dropping, but rather it maybe that the market is taking a breather.
"We're young and new so we will continue to grow – maybe not at the same pace but at a similar sort of pace as we've grown before, so we're not too worried about that," he told The Australian Financial Review after the results announcement.
"I'd be worried if I had a $500 billion book – I'd be starting to get concerned about that – but I don't have that at this stage."
The lender’s underlying loan book picked up to $44.1 billion from $37.8 billion a year earlier, with  wealth management revenue growing 6.9 per cent to $10.4 million.
Bouris said cost cuts had helped profitability. YBR said expense costs narrowed to $18.9 million from $25.7 million the previous year.
The company did not declare a dividend.
Earlier this month, Yellow Brick Road appointed former Macquarie banker Frank Ganis to its board. Mr Ganis, who recently left Macquarie after 28 years, was a pivotal player in building the mortgage securitisation sector in Australia in the 1990s.
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jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Yellow Brick Road eyes offering interest only loans

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There is no need to get spooked out by the recent talk about Australia’s housing market bubble set to burst, especially after CoreLogic data pointed to prices dropping, but rather it maybe that the market is taking a breather, says a leading industry executive.
The CoreLogic data that came out last week showed a slight dip in prices. But most of the headlines were about two cities: Sydney and Melbourne, says Mark Bouris, the executive chairman of wealth manager Yellow Brick Road.
“We need to remember that prices have been going gangbusters there for more than five years,” he said in a column in Fairfax Media.
Also, Australia is a patchwork of very different markets. In May, prices rose in Brisbane and Adelaide, while values in Perth and Darwin fell. 
“And that doesn't take into account all the regional areas, where things such as employment and infrastructure have a big impact on housing prices,” adds Bouris.
“If you only read the headlines, it's easy to get spooked about property. But based on the latest data, we aren't talking about a bubble bursting or prices falling off a cliff – we're seeing the market take a breather. After all, it's been running at full tilt for a while now.”
For owner-occupiers, the implications could be that if there has been good capital growth and then one might want to tap into your home equity to buy another property.
Some lenders have pulled back on investor loans, thanks to pressure from the banking regulators, but the tap hasn't been turned off altogether, he says.
“The key is to be sensible. Think about "serviceability" – making sure you have the income to cover an investment loan, especially if it's negatively geared.
“And don't overextend by getting the biggest loan possible – choose something you can still afford if interest rates increase or rental income flatlines.”
For investors, a “less frothy market” means the need to look harder for the right property, he advises. 
One needs to pay close attention to the fundamentals such as the area’s supply and demand for housing.
“Supply is one half of the equation, so look at things such as development application (DA) approvals to see how much is in the pipeline.
“On the other hand, demand is influenced by population growth and where jobs are coming from – so make sure it's an area people want to be in,” he adds.
A lot of this data is publicly available using sources such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 
“Think of it as a business decision and do your homework properly.”
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Property market taking a breather: Yellow Brick Road's Mark Bouris

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Mark Bouris, executive chairman of Yellow Brick Road, says borrowers need to vote with their feet.
"Quite simply, if the banks ratchet up rates and costs, go elsewhere and borrow from another lender," he wrote in his weekly Fairfax column.
He noted the property federal budget bank levy goes back to 2008, when a financial crisis was building and the four major trading banks – plus Macquarie Bank – wanted assistance from the federal government to stabilise our financial system.
"The government – actually, the taxpayer – guaranteed Australian deposits at deposit-taking institutions, up to $250,000.
"The banks also got a governmentguarantee over some bank debt and an ongoing facility up to $180 billion, which gave the banks access to very cheap debt.
"This new levy is 0.06 per cent of this government-guaranteed facility – it’s a very low charge for allowing banks to reduce their overseas borrowing costs and therefore, make bigger profits.
"So why would the bank charge you for giving it access to the cheapest capital?," he asked adding we’ll see what the banks decide to do – absorb the levy or pass it on.
He told borrowers there are only five banks being taxed with the levy.
"But have a look at a comparison website and you’ll see many lenders out there, from credit unions and building societies to small and regional banks, as well as loans offered by mortgage brokers and other financial services players.
"On any week, there can be a 1 per cent difference in interest rate between the lowest cost and most expensive standard variable mortgages.
"Why pay more than you should?"
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Mark Bouris says look for the 1 percent difference in available mortgage rates

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The celebrity businessman and host of Channel 9's The Celebrity Apprentice, Mark Bouris, says he will fire himself if his business, Yellow Brick Road does not make a profit this financial year.
Bouris made the bold declaration to the Australian Financial Review's Chanticleer columnist Tony Boyd in today's paper.
It comes at a time when the share price bounces around at 15 cents, near its record low of 13.5c. 
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<img src="/images/2016/10/12/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-12%20at%2011.29.13%20AM.png" alt="">
The fall in the stock over the past two years has left the group with a market cap of just over $40 million, down from about $200 million at its peak.
The mortgage lender and wealth manager made its stockmarket debut in 2011 with the kid from Punchbowl, in Sydney’s south-west, having the aim of taking on the banks, but YBR shares have crashed more than 75 per cent during the past two years. 
YBR’s recent $9.5 million ­annual loss came despite increasing its revenue 31 per cent to $218 million. 
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<img src="/images/2016/10/12/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-12%20at%2011.34.33%20AM.png" alt="">
In early 2014 Bouris said YBR was “on track” to deliver its maiden profit during that ­financial year.
The recent $9.5 million loss was nearly tripling the previous year’s loss of $2.6 million.
The company has lost a cumulative $36.9m over the six years since its listing which saw Bouris joined on the register by Mineral Resources founder Chris Ellison and chief executive Peter Wade, pastoralist John Kahlbetzer and Navitas boss Rod Jones.
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<img src="/images/2016/10/12/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-12%20at%2011.51.29%20AM.png" alt="">
Bouris plans to open 40 new branches in the next year.
It has $700 million funds under management.
"Our foot was on the pedal, metaphorically speaking, right as the market cooled this year,” Mr Bouris said, explaining the result.
Along with recent acquisitions, YBR has spent millions on advertising during the housing boom to grab a bigger slice of the market.
YBR acquired the non-bank lender Resi Mortgage in 2014 for $36 million and then took over mortgage aggregator Vow Financial for $17.6 million.
Over the past 12 months, it has spent $5.3 million on advertising and marketing with The Celebrity Apprentice largely functioning as a lengthy ad. 
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<img src="/images/2016/10/12/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-12%20at%2011.55.03%20AM.png" alt="">
Last week the accounting entrepreneur, Brett Kelly made an off play for the company, while saying the YBR wealth management strategy will never work.
Kelly, who owns the country's fastest-growing network of accounting firms, says people buying low value mortgages from YBR's network of 40 branches do not have enough money to make the YBR wealth management strategy profitable.
An investor update issued last week by YBR suggested its competitive advantage as scaling lending, with $38 billion in mortgages under management, distribution scale with 1500 credit representatives and brand equity, which it credited as much stronger than it competitors.
While Kelly believes that Bouris has done well to build a strong finance business, he maintains that Australians with money for wealth management do not go to mortgage brokers or any of the big four banks.
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<img src="/images/2016/10/12/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-12%20at%2011.56.29%20AM.png" alt="">
Last week Kelly tried to grab a stake in YBR whose two biggest shareholders are Macquarie Group and Nine Entertainment Co.
Macquarie and Nine each owns a 20 per cent stake in YBR and both are strategic partners of YBR.
Macquarie supplies YBR with mortgage loans while Nine has been supplying a certain amount of free advertising as part of a contra deal from 2012 worth $6.5 million.  
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Bouris admitted to Chanticleer that his reputation is at stake in the quest to build YBR into one of the country's largest independent financial firms. 
The Australian newspaper reported last month that investors had lost patience in Yellow Brick Road, the listed ­financial services firm he founded in 2007 after Bouris had overhauled YBR’s structure twice this year.
Bouris, who owns more than 51 million shares, took home $1.6 million in remuneration from YBR last year, a substantial cut from the previous year’s $5.6 million.
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<img src="/images/2016/10/12/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-12%20at%2012.03.54%20PM.png" alt="">
The reduction in pay also came with more responsibility as the latest restructure cut five senior positions.
The Australian noted YBR has paid millions in advisory fees to BBB Capital and Golden Wealth Holdings.
BBB Capital is an investment advisory group founded by Mark Bouris and his brother Adrian, both of whom sit on the YBR board.
BBB Capital has collected $2.2 million in fees from YBR over the past six years, while Golden Wealth, an entity controlled by Mark Bouris, has been paid $3.9 million in consultancy fees from YBR over the same period.
Last month YBR ­announced the sale of the wealth division’s accounting business and legal practice to the former owner David Carr for nearly $2 million, with a consideration of an extra $2.8m over the next five years.
“I’m going to spend the next two to three years driving into hitting our capacity,” Mr Bouris recently told The Weekend Australian.
“I’m gonna be working a lot harder than I’ve ever worked,” he said.
“Not everyone necessarily wants to do that but that’s the way I run things. And if they don’t want to do it they can leave …
“I’m interested in people who will roll their sleeves up and get things done and actually go to the branches and see the customers. I don’t care if it’s me or the CEO — they’ve got to go and do it.”
Mr Bouris put down the collapse in the YBR stock price to the state of the market clinging to yield stocks, or companies that pay out generous dividends, and said investors weren’t rewarding ambition.
“The market is looking for yield. We’re a growth stock. Our aim is to take market share from our competitors. And I don’t make any apologies for that.”
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Mark Bouris says he will fire himself if YBR doesn't make a profit

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We've all marvelled at the amount of information on the internet and the speed with which we can compare available products.
Nowhere has this access to information been better exploited than in financial services, where you can use websites to make cheap share trades, find the best priced mortgage and get travel insurance that saves you heaps.
But although e-commerce is now normal, Australians still distinguish between low cost convenience transactions, and high value strategic decisions. For most people there's still a divide between the ease of technology and the need for advice.
But how do you decide whether to buy online or use a broker or adviser?
One criterion might be size and importance.
Australians can search for mortgages online and apply over the phone. However, the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia has found that of the growth in the mortgage market in the year to June 2014, 61% was driven by brokers. That was a 32% increase on the 2013 figure. Clearly, Australians like interaction with an expert when they take on their biggest debt.
The opposite is the case when applying for credit cards and operating bank accounts. For these transactional interactions we're comfortable to use the internet and call centres to administer our daily banking.
Consumers also transact directly online with their super and their share portfolios. This seems to work best with users who have good knowledge of the options and understand the choices.
Insurance is another matter. If you've been insuring your car for years, a quick price comparison on the internet can prepare you for buying more insurance over the phone or online at renewal time.
However, many insurances are strategic parts of life planning, and they need expert advice.
Even simple insurance such as home and contents has to be managed so you're never underinsured, and you aren't paying for things you don't need and being excluded from the cover you do need.
More than half of retail insurance premiums are written by advisers and brokers, probably because Australians think about insurance once a year and they need someone who thinks about it every day.
The advantage you get with an adviser is obvious in life insurances which include death cover, total permanent disablement (TPD), trauma and income protection. You can buy tax-friendly life policies in your super fund. But when you use an independent adviser, you can buy cover for your circumstances, with tailored inclusions and exclusions.
Life insurance issuers rarely have more than one top product line and premium at a time, with deals changing to showcase different products. Some insurers are strong in some occupations. An independent adviser knows this. Luckily, it isn't a choice between the internet or advice. The trick is to use both, according to their strengths and your needs. What do you favour? Internet or advice? I'd love to hear what you think.
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of wealth management company <a href="https://www.ybr.com.au" target="_blank">Yellow Brick Road</a>, which sells financial advice and home loans.
You can contact Mark on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/markbouris">Twitter</a>.
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Should you get your mortgage online or use a broker?

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When rates are low, prices usually rise and first home buyers can feel shut out. 
But all is not lost if you stick to a few simple tips.
<ol>
<li>Deposit: Lenders want to see you have at least 5% of the purchase price as genuine savings (generally you'll need 10 per cent overall). You can top up with money from your parents or grandparents, but you have to show at least six months of your own savings. Start saving, now. </li>
<li>Savings: Set a goal for your deposit amount and save in a high-interest savings account that's separated from household expenses. Set a weekly deposit goal, use direct crediting and if you're a couple, have one person's income going directly into savings. </li>
<li>Reduce debt: Eliminate or reduce the limits on your credit cards and store cards. Lenders look at the limit on your cards, not your balance. </li>
<li>Grants: The First Home Owners Grant can help with your purchase. But it must be for a new home construction; you can't use it to buy the land and lenders will not treat the FHOG as part of genuine savings. Do your homework because the grant differs slightly between states. </li>
<li>Income: Lenders like to see stability and want to see evidence that you will repay the mortgage. So you should demonstrate at least six months (but preferably one year) of PAYG employment, or two years of financials and tax returns if you're self-employed. </li>
<li>Shop around: You can find variable rate mortgages in the range of 4.6 per cent to 6 per cent. The 1.4 per cent difference, on a 350,000 loan over 30 years, is worth more than $300 a month. </li>
<li>Marketing: Watch for "discount" mortgages and special low offers. The low rates last for a year or two and then revert to a much higher rate. Always look at the "comparison rate". </li>
<li>Fixed: Many first-home buyers like to balance their budget for a few years, and a fixed loan creates certainty. However, once in a fixed loan, your flexibility is restricted and you may encounter break costs if you want to sell or refinance. </li>
<li>Vary it: Variable rates fluctuate with the market but they are flexible, allowing you to repay higher amounts and deposit lump sums from bonuses and tax refunds, speeding your repayment. You can refinance a variable rate loan without penalty. </li>
<li>Offset: When you put all your income into a mortgage offset account, the balance pays down the mortgage by the amount you have in there each day. It stops interest capitalising against you as fast as monthly repayments. Offset accounts suit good budgeters. </li>
<li>Price: Don't be disheartened if you can't buy what you want - buy the next-best and build a strategy for your next property. </li>
<li>Advice: Mortgage brokers are excellent for insights, strategies and getting you a good result. They're worth talking to. </li>
<li>Always remember: When borrowing money and buying property, the same basic rules apply to everyone. So do your homework, be prepared, take some advice and go for it.</li>
</ol>
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of wealth management company <a href="https://www.ybr.com.au/" target="_blank">Yellow Brick Road</a>, which sells financial advice and home loans.
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13 simple tips to help first home buyers save for a deposit

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There’s something of a home loan ‘rate war’ going on at the moment, which can be great for borrowers. But it also creates pitfalls for the unwary.
Take some mortgage advertising I saw this week: it promoted a variable mortgage rate of 4.65% but beside it was a ‘5.21% comparison rate’.
Look at the difference: on a $300,000 25-year mortgage at 4.65% your total interest bill is $207,941. But if you pay 5.21%, your costs total $237,198. The difference between what’s calculated from the headline offer and the actual costs over the long-term is around $30,000.
This type of advertising is a common marketing device. The low interest rate is merely an ‘introductory rate’ which in this case lasts three years. And after three years the home loan reverts to a much higher rate.
So given the current interest rate cycle it’s a good time to discuss the comparison rate. The ‘comparison rate’ is a legislated requirement brought in by the federal government. It was introduced in 2003 at a time when ‘honeymoon rates’ were popular and advertised interest rates were not informing borrowers about the true long-term cost of their home loan.
It’s quite difficult for average borrowers to calculate what they really pay over the long-term if they pay one rate for, say, two years and then revert to a ‘true’ rate for the next 23 years.
So to resolve the confusion the government mandated a formula that all mortgage lenders must use in their advertising. It includes unavoidable fees and charges, and interest rates over a set period, which creates the comparison interest rate.
Because all lenders have to use the same formula, the result gives a borrower the means to compare the true cost of a loan before they commit to it, and it gives some reality to the headline interest rate.
This regulation set by the government is important, but it only goes so far. The key to getting the right loan is for you as a consumer to take this information and act on it. The law says that a comparison rate must be co-located with the promotional rate, and with the same prominence. But a comparison rate is useless unless borrowers are looking at it and registering what it means. In talking to people, I often find that consumers misinterpret the comparison rate as “X” lenders best rate compared to “Y” lenders best rate. This is not at all the case.
When you look down the most affordable variable rate loans (4.6%-4.8%) at a site such as RateCity, you see that those lenders with the best ranking have comparison rates almost identical to their advertised rates – that is, the rate they advertise is basically what the borrower will pay. But other loans only start at 4.6%, before reverting to something much higher.
Consumers are easily confused by the terminology and practices of the financial services industry. So if you’re searching for something as important as a mortgage, and a comparison rate gives you a chance to level the playing field, you really must pay attention.
Mark Bouris is Executive Chairman of wealth management company <a href="https://www.ybr.com.au" target="_blank">Yellow Brick Road</a>.<a href="https://www.ybr.com.au/"> </a>
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What the comparison rate really tells you about your mortgage

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Have a look at a home loan comparison website and you’ll see a growing number of variable rate mortgages are now below 5%.
With mortgages this affordable you could refinance out of an old expensive loan and into a low cost one; and it’s also a good opportunity to repay more than you have to – to build up equity more quickly.
But a lot of people are asking if the low rates mean it’s time to buy an investment property?
Firstly, I suggest potential investors separate their thinking between the mortgage interest rates and the investment itself. Long after variable rates have returned to normal levels, you’ll probably still own this investment and it should make financial sense.
The point of an investment property is to harvest the ‘total gross yield’ – that is, you want the property to produce rental income and capital growth. You want enough rental income to help pay the mortgage and meet costs month-to-month, and you want sufficient capital growth so that over time it becomes a more valuable asset.
If you can achieve a 5% per annum rental yield and the average growth in the suburb is 3% per annum, you have an 8% gross yield. But there are many things that can vary this result.
Does the property need renovations? Is it maintenance-intensive? Will you use a property manager? Is it close to amenities such as schools, shops and train stations and likely to be sough-after by tenants? All of these things will affect your yield over the long term, and property is a long-term game.
There’s really no substitute for homework – you must have a clear view about ownership costs.
You also have to think about negative gearing, which is a tax rule that allows you to take any losses on the property and use them to reduce your taxable income, thereby reducing your taxes.
This brings us to the cost of your mortgage. Many people want to buy an investment property simply because they can, but the cost of entry isn’t the end of the discussion.
The investment mortgage has to be repaid from income, while most people are also funding the family home loan from the same income. Even if negative gearing gives you a small tax break, you have to calculate if you could afford to pay the investment property mortgage if the rates moved upwards by, say, 2%, or 3%.
Fixed rate mortgages only give you breathing room for the term of the fixed rate – they don’t make rising interest rates go away.
Low interest rates make it affordable to buy, but you have to know what it costs to own it, which means understanding where interest rate rises will leave you.
And, a final hint: the best property investments are made at purchase. Try to buy a property at a good price, with low maintenance, in a high-demand area, where prices are just starting to pick up. Be patient and do your homework.
If you buy well, you’ll do well.
Mark Bouris is executive chairman of wealth management company <a href="https://www.ybr.com.au" target="_blank">Yellow Brick Road</a>.
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