Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

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

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

<h3 data-end="3697" data-section-id="q3n5ak" data-start="3672">&nbsp;</h3>
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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

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

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

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

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

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

Property Sale

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GUEST OBSERVER
The land registries in NSW, Victoria and Queensland have developed and adopted Verification of Identity Standards (VOI Standards) for verifying the identity of parties to land transactions for the purposes of the National Electronic Conveyancing laws in Australia. 
The current VOI Standards are set out in Schedule 8 of version 3 of the Model Participation Rules (Rules) developed for the purposes of electronic conveyancing. 
To ensure consistency between paper transactions and electronic transactions, the VOI Standards for paper transactions have been introduced in Victoria.  NSW and Queensland have also introduced the VOI Standards for the verification of paper mortgages. 
Queensland
Under sections 11A and 11B of the Land Title Act 1994 (Qld) and sections 288A and 288B of the Land Act 1994 (Qld), mortgagees (lenders) are required to take reasonable steps to confirm the identity of mortgagors (borrowers). 
Revised practices for lenders confirming the identity of borrowers, to be incorporated into the Queensland Land Titles Practice Manual in the form of the VOI Standards, will take effect from 1 March 2016.  Under these practices a lender will be considered to have taken reasonable steps if they have complied with the VOI Standards.
Victoria 
The Victorian Registrar of Titles has adopted new verification of identity requirements for parties who wish to lodge dealings in paper form at Land Victoria pursuant to section 106A of the Transfer of Land Act 1958 (Vic).  
The Registrar’s requirements for all dealings, which came into effect on 9 November 2015, have adopted the VOI Standards and under these requirements a solicitor, conveyancer or lender will be deemed to have taken reasonable steps if they have complied with the VOI Standards.
New South Wales
Under section 56C of the Real Property Act 1900 (NSW) lenders are required to take reasonable steps to confirm the identity of borrowers, and regulation 16 of the Real Property Regulation 2014 (NSW) provides that from 1 January 2015 lenders are considered to have taken reasonable steps if they have complied with the VOI Standards.  
From 9 November 2015, an amended table of minimum document requirements for verification of identity took effect under the VOI Standards and now applies to verifying borrowers in NSW. 
PURPOSE OF VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY 
The purpose of carrying out a verification of identity for land transactions is to:
<ul>
<li>ensure a person is who they claim to be;</li>
<li>reduce the risk of identity fraud; and</li>
<li>prevent the registration of fraudulent land transactions. </li>
</ul>
WHEN VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY IS REQUIRED 
The Rules require solicitors, conveyancers and lenders (Verifiers) to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of:
<ul>
<li>their clients;</li>
<li>borrowers; and</li>
<li>persons to whom certificates of title are to be provided.</li>
</ul>
CARRYING OUT VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY 
When verifying the identity of a party, reasonable steps to verify their identity must be taken.  
Reasonable Steps
‘Reasonable steps’ means the taking of such steps as an ordinarily prudent Verifier would take in the circumstances and in the ordinary course of their business.  Whether reasonable steps have been taken is a question of fact depending on the circumstances of each case. 
Previous Verification of Identity
Where a verification of identity has occurred within the previous 2 years, the party’s identity is not required to be verified again provided the Verifier takes reasonable steps to ensure they are dealing with the party previously identified. 
Supporting Evidence 
In order to demonstrate reasonable steps were taken, Verifiers must retain evidence supporting a verification of identity for at least 7 years. 
Verification of Identity Overseas 
The Rules have established arrangements with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for verifying the identity of people overseas.  The arrangements standardise services provided by Australian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates to persons overseas.  
AGENTS 
A Verifier may use an agent to undertake verification of identity on the Verifier’s behalf.  The Verifier must direct the agent how to conduct the verification of identity, and this could be by using the VOI Standard or some other method that constitutes taking reasonable steps.  A Verifier must reasonably believe an agent to be reputable, competent and insured in accordance with the Rules. 
Australia Post currently provides a verification of identity service in each of NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
Tress Cox Lawyers can assist with verification of your identity.
We use InfoTrack’s ‘IDfy’ iOS app-based system for face to face VOI interviews in our offices.  We have worked with InfoTrack to fine tune the app.  We can also attend our clients’ offices to carry out VOI interviews using the app.  The relevant identity information is encrypted before it is stored.
We have also registered with Australia Post for clients who prefer to attend their local post office to carry out the VOI interview.  Certified VOI documents are forwarded to us electronically by Australia Post.
 
<div>
Martyn Tier, Lynette Reynolds and Dan Flynn, are partners forTress Cox Lawyers and can be contacted <a href="https://www.tresscox.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
</div>
 
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po-LsXgBTHBmX

Property 101: ID verification in electronic property transfers in NSW, QLD and Victoria

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A $488,000 sale of a two bedroom fibro on 600 sqm at Bradbury was the cheapest among recent weekend auctions.
Selling to an investor, it suggested the headlines around the negative gearing policy debate had failed to unnerve strong buying interest.
Some four of the five registered parties were investors.
But it's selling agent Russell Wyer from Richardson &amp; Wrench Campbelltown suggested the investor interest was more likely to be directed towards the prospect of positive gearing than negative gearing.
He thought the acquisition lent itself to the addition of a granny flat in its vast back yard on <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/15-bland-street-bradbury-nsw-2560-2012550475" target="_blank">Bland Street</a>.
He envisaged a doubling in rental income to around $650 a week after the $100,000 plus outlay on the granny flat.
The pursuit of positive gearing by many conservative investors has been somewhat overlooked in the debate that has followed the unveiling of the federal opposition's policy to restrict negative gearing to new properties and raise the tax on any sale.
There's complexity around the investment terms and ofcourse it’s not the property that determines whether an investment is negative or positive. 
What is a positively geared property for one could be a negatively geared one for another, due to different income tax circumstances.
Basically a property with negative cashflow means the rental income does not cover all the outgoing costs, so this loss helps reduce a person’s overall tax liability.
The gearing aspect means that the property has been bought using finance with the loan repayments adding to the outgoings.
Leaving personal tax considerations aside, negatively geared property is a loss making situation.
But the investor's expectation is for the value of the property to increase to cover the annual losses.
And they might also anticipate future rental income will increase sufficiently to cover the losses.
The big risk with a negatively geared property is that its value may not increase sufficiently to cover the loss especially if interest rates rise.
There’s also now the prospect raised by Labor of hiking the tax on any capital gains.
According to property research and investment firm Aviate Group managing director Neil Smoli it typically takes five to six years for an investment property to become neutral, that is, for the rent received to balance the interest payable.
"This is influenced by the interest rate of the day, the net rental income received after costs, the investor’s marginal tax rate as well as depreciation allowances,” he said.
He argues any reform should take a long-term view and classify ‘new’ stock as any property up to 10 years old so as not to pull the rug from under the feet of investors abruptly.
“A timeline of this duration for the investor to be able to use negative gearing seems logical and fair.”
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Positive gearing the prospect with granny flat on Bland Street, Bradbury

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Places Victoria, the state government’s property development agency, has sold a 9,000 square metre development site in Melbourne’s inner western suburb of Footscray to an off-shore developer for an undisclosed sum.
Places Victoria purchased the site, around five km from Melbourne’s CBD, in May 2011 for $11.5 million. According to places.vic.gov.au, the buyer is an investor from Hong Kong.
The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-footscray-501750614" target="_blank">2/52 Cowper Street</a> property was sold with a development scheme comprising up to 500 apartments over four, 8-14 level towers with 454 car spaces and ground floor retail. 
The 9,052 square metre corner site with 180 metres frontage was sold vacant, cleared and ready for construction.
According to selling agents, Savills’ directors, Julian Heatherich and Nick Peden, the expressions of interest campaign attracted interest from a range of prospective buyers, including syndicates and funds and local and off-shore investors and developers.
“Melbourne‘s nation leading population growth and most liveable city status are obvious drivers along with the influx of huge amounts of foreign capital which has forced local investors and developers into a very competitive market,” said Heatherich.   
The elevated site offers the potential for uninterrupted CBD views and is close to Footscray Railway Station and retail outlets, added Peden.
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prateek24-ezbwHMbNAk

Places Victoria sells 500-apartment site in Footscray to HK investor

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One of the life’s most stressful events is buying or selling your first home – it’s said to be up there with getting married. 
The REIQ offers several tips to first home buyers and sellers that will help you navigate one of life’s trickiest transactions with confidence and with a degree of certainty that you’ll achieve a great outcome, whatever you want that to be.   One of the keys to success is engaging a real estate professional that you can trust to be your guide throughout the process. You need to find that person who you can connect with; that person who is experienced and can help you with the many decisions that you are about to make.    Choosing your agent:
Interview the experts and get their views. Meet with two or three agents and talk to them about what you want to achieve from the transaction. If you’re buying your first home a buyer’s agent is a very good idea and if you’re selling for the first time then speak to a few agents from different offices to get a feel for how they each will approach the sale of your home.   Ask questions:   1. What is your area of expertise? Many people don’t realise that real estate agents can engage in a broad range of activities, including selling residential property, auctioneering, commercial property sales, leasing and management, along with business broking. So you need to choose someone whose background is in the area that you’re seeking guidance in.   2. Feedback: You need an agent who has experience in giving feedback and having tough conversations with clients. Sometimes it can be difficult to give honest feedback to vendors who don’t want to hear that the price they want is unrealistic or the renovations are not a good idea. You want an agent who will be honest and up-front with you, so ask them about their style of feedback for vendors and what they do when they have to have the tough conversations.   3. Do you have professional indemnity insurance? This is not a statutory requirement so not all agents will have it, which is a problem if something goes wrong. All REIQ accredited agency members are required to carry a minimum of $1 million in PI insurance. It gives an added peace of mind. After all, you don’t want to be embarking on one of the biggest transactions of your career without a safety net, do you?   4. What is your dispute resolution process? Nobody wants to think that something will go awry in their property transaction but if it does, what options are available to you? If your agent doesn’t have a simple, accessible dispute resolution policy in place how will you know what to do in the event of a dispute?   5. How do you stay up-to-date with legislative changes? Not all agents maintain their professional knowledge and this can be concerning when you consider that property transactions are very heavily regulated by government legislation. You really need to make sure that the agent you choose keeps their knowledge up to date. All REIQ members are required to maintain their continuing professional development as a requirement of their membership and this gives you peace of mind to know that they are up to date.
ANTONIA MERCORELLA is CEO of the <a href="https://www.reiq.com/" target="_blank">REIQ</a>.
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Property 101: How to take the stress out of property purchasing and selling: Antonia Mercorella

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A two-bedroom home at 193 Scenic Drive, Budgewoi sold at weekend auction for $339,500 by One Agency Eastlakes.
The pre-auction marketing was suggesting $275,000 plus price expectations for the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-budgewoi-121282678" target="_blank">brick veneer house</a>. 
CoreLogic RP Data put the median house price of the NSW Central Coast suburb <a href="/news">at a record $360,000</a>.
The New South Wales central coast suburb of Budgewoi was consistently one of Australia's worst performing suburbs for value of mortgage delinquencies, according to Fitch Ratings.
In September last year, Kingston, Queensland's 4114 postcode, took over Budgewoi's title as the suburb with the highest value of mortgage delinquencies.  
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Budgewoi sale at 20% premium to auction price guidance

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Australian cricket vice-captain David Warner and his wife, the iron woman, Candice have quickly commissioned architect Rolf Ockert to create their dream home following their mid-week Lurline Bay purchase.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house/nsw/eastern-suburbs/maroubra/285829" target="_blank">They bought the oceanfront knock-down</a> for just under $4 million through McGrath agent Simon Exleton which was offered with lapsed Tobias Architect plans. 
David "The Kaboom Kid" Warner, in unstoppable cricket form, loves his coastal property portfolio. "You can't go wrong on bricks and mortar," he told Daily Telegraph columnist Nick Tabakoff recently.
He's not alone having outbid four contract holders to secure the 892sqm Mermaid Avenue.
The couple spent $6.25 million on their Coogee home last year.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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David Warner buys knockdown property in Maroubra

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Buyers of DUO in Central Park have shown a strong appetite for internationally designed apartments close to the Sydney CBD, with Frasers Property Australia and Sekisui House Australia achieving over $229 million in sales at the recent launch.
Frasers marketing director Paul Lowe said they experienced strong sales and interest for the three-bedroom dual-key apartments in <a href="https://www.centralparksydney.com/" target="_blank">DUO</a> which were offered for the first time ever at Central Park. 
"Dual-key apartments are a unique product type in the market and have proven to be ideal for investors wanting to stay in one apartment and lease the other one out, as well as growing families who desire space and flexibility in apartment living," he said.
The remaining three bedroom dual-key apartments apartments are available from $1.93 million in the next apartment block <a href="/expert-insights/buying/central-parks-duo-to-offer-dual-key-apartment-options">in Central Park</a>.
They started at $1.78 million at pre-sale in the building which was designed by internationally acclaimed architects Foster + Partners.
A dual-key property is just one property, with a single front entrance, living room, bathroom, kitchen and one or two bedrooms.
The difference then comes in. A dual key property has an additional dwelling inside, usually an extra bedroom with its own lock door at the front door lobby.
Behind the lock door is a studio apartment with its own small kitchen and additional bathroom.
Dual-key properties allow one space to be shared by two separate tenants or members of an extended family.
They are a fairly recent emergence in Sydney; however they have existed for decades in places such as Sweden, Japan and the United States.
Meriton’s 2002 Trafalgar in Sydney included 12 dual-key apartments, all of which contain a two-bedroom apartment and a studio accessed by a common door, but separated once inside.
According to investment advisers dual-key apartments offer investors higher rental yield by splitting the apartment for separate occupants.
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Duo, Central Park finds strong dual-key buyer demand

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The most affordable property sold in Sydney at auction this weekend was a three bedroom home in San Remo.
Advertised by selling agent Andrew Sorensen of Raine &amp; Horne as "a great place to start" the home is perfect for first time buyers.
Andrew had a price guide of over $300,000 for the property before the $355,000 sale at auction.
He gave the property an average rental return of between $345 and $370 per week, which is an average gross rental yield between 5.05% and 5.42%.
San Remo is a suburb of the Central Coast, 108 kilometres away from the Sydney CBD.
The property features a large outdoor terrace and garden space.
The property last traded in 2009 for $269,950, an annual appreciation of 4.39%.
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San Remo three bedder Sydney's most affordable sale at 5% gross yield

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New South Wales auction results for the week ending Sunday 15 November show a preliminary clearance rate of 61% from 1200 total scheduled auctions.
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<div class="num">According to data from realestate.com.au, 317 properties were sold at auction within NSW, 243 passed in and 214 sold prior to auction.</div>
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<div class="num">One standout sale in the Sydney suburb of Blakehurst, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-blakehurst-120988130" target="_blank">71 Terry Street</a>, was a six bedroom home that sold for $2,980,000. The median price for a home in <a href="/news">Blakehurst is $1.5 million</a>, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
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New South Wales clearance rate at 61%: Realestate.com.au

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A four bedroom Roxburgh Park house was Melbourne's cheapest weekend auction house sale.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/16-mackellar-drive-roxburgh-park/Property-Details-buy-residential-9568392" target="_blank">Set on 305 sqm at 16 Mackellar Drive</a>, it sold at $291,000 through Raine &amp; Horne agent Adam Jurdi.
It failed to sell in 2013 when listed with $300,000 plus hopes.
The house last sold at $43,000 in 2000, reflecting 12 per cent annual growth. It was last up for rent in early 2015 with a $330 weekly asking rental, reflecting 5.9% annual growth.
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