Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372550]

Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355297]

The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Rainbow Bay apartment doubles in price since off the plan sale during pandemic

Real Estate Agents

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The former Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) business development manager Karen Woodworth has joined the national real estate network @realty.
Ms Woodworth will assume the role of @realty business development manager, taking the reins following the company’s recent expansion in to Tasmania and the Northern Territory.
@realty now has more than 600 agents nationwide.
Last year it sold more than $1.5 billion in real estate.
@realty director James Taylor says Ms Woodworth was with the REIQ for over 12 years.
“Karen is a fantastic talent with an in depth understanding of the industry, which will  help in recruiting more agents  to @realty,” he said.
“Her strong focus on client relations and results-driven approach to business will be instrumental in helping @realty to achieve its growth targets over the coming years.
“This year we have achieved the milestone of having agents listed in every state and territory throughout Australia, and we are hoping to follow this with an expansion to New Zealand in due course.
Ms Woodworth says while leaving the REIQ was not an easy thing to do, she was impressed by @realty’s growth and potential.
“@realty’s innovative business model is changing the real estate landscape for both agents and vendors,” she said.
“The agents benefit by retaining up to 93 per cent of commission, and the vendors gain access to more affordable, high performance marketing programs.”
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Karen Woodworth joins @realty as business development manager

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Real estate agent Ray Fayad has joined Daniel Mourad as co-principal of the new Laing+Simmons Oatlands and Carlingford offices.
Mr Fayad, long-term principal of Laing+Simmons Parramatta and Granville offices in western Sydney, said the new office would enhance the service customer in the area locals affectionately refer to as Kingsdene.
“This is an area currently undergoing significant change. The predominance of single-level freestanding homes on large blocks is being complemented by newer, luxury homes that are breathing new life into the established area,” Mr Fayad said.
“The Oatlands, Carlingford, Dundas and North Rocks areas are a beautiful, convenient and spacious place to raise a family and as such, demand for homes in the area is strong and growing.
"We’re investing in the local community now because we want to be part of the growth to come,” he said.
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Ray Fayad joins new Laing+Simmons Oatlands and Carlingford

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David Steel, a former Cobden estate agent has been sentenced to three months’ jail after pleading guilty to almost 40 charges relating to mismanagement of his clients’ money, according to Consumer Affairs Victoria
David Alexander Scott Steel, 57, was convicted last month in Warrnambool County Court of 37 charges concerning trust account deficiencies and defalcations. These included fraudulently converting trust money in breach of the Estate Agents Act 1980.
It was reported on his charging that Mr Steel was the sole director of the company when more than $450,000 was found to be missing from the account of Realestate Property Pty Ltd.
Mr Steel also gave an undertaking to the court to be of good behaviour for two years.
Judge Michael O'Connell said Steel's business approach was "inept and cavalier," The Warranabool Standard reported.
The company, Realestate Property Pty Ltd (ACN: 114 758 217), trading as 'David Steel First National', was also convicted and fined $10,000.
Mr Steel and the company also pleaded guilty to a charge of failure to lodge bonds, in breach of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.
Under Victorian laws, an estate agent has strict obligations to deposit clients’ money into a relevant trust account.
The Warrnambool lawyer Kiernan Celestina represented Mr Steel who moved to Vietnam and was travelling back to Australia to attend court.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Former Cobden estate agent David Steel pleads guilty to mismanagement of clients' money

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GUEST OBSERVATION
The real estate agents of the land will be toasting the departure of upstart disruptor Purplebricks who are packing up and going home to Britain. Crisis over. No more nasty TV commercials playing to a nations’ already healthy distrust of traditional agents.
But it’s not that simple. Real estate agents still rank 27 out of 30 professions in terms of respect and reputation – below politicians and just above car sellers.
Purplebricks lost because they were even worse. They correctly targeted the problem – agents who will do anything to get you to sell your house so they can clip the ticket with fat commissions. A system which inherently mis-aligns incentives between provider and customer. Have you noticed now is always a “great time to sell” regardless of whether the market is going up, down or sideways? Yes, because it’s always a great time for an agent to trouser a healthy commission. Hence why the profession is held in such low esteem by its customers.
Purplebricks was a “disruptor” to use the favourite word from my second home, Silicon Valley. And they correctly belled the cat on the problem with the status quo. But their problem is they replaced it with something worse. You paid them whether or not they successfully sold your house. Now a problem that plagues the industry at the best of times – agents “buying your business” by giving you an inflated idea of what your house will sell for – had no constraints to hold it back. At least a traditional agent has to do what the industry euphemistically calls “vendor management” – talking you back down to the price it will actually sell at or they won’t get paid on commission. Purplebricks didn’t even need to do that – if your property didn’t sell at the (inflated) price they told you it would, they were paid anyway. All care but no responsibility. Indeed, a total lack of responsibility.
Too little too late they changed and near doubled their fee to include a second half that only got paid if you sold. And then they too got in the business of “vendor management” – indeed they had competitions internally to see who could talk their clients down by the largest discount to the original asking price. It wasn’t a good look when that became public!
So, I expect we’ll see a series of triumphant “I told you so” pieces in the real estate industry press celebrating the departure of the young bull and triumph of the old ones.
My counsel, having seen this movie in countless other industries over the last 30 years? Don’t celebrate too hard folks, the voting public still has a huge problem with the real estate industry – its incentives and its ethics. Winter is still coming. Just not quite yet. Not that the current market slowdown hasn’t been hard enough for a commission driven industry.
Amazon was not the first online retailer. Google was not the first search engine. Tesla was not the first electric car. Change will come, but not, as always, without some false starts. No less an authority than MacQuarie Bank – who banks more than half the industry - have told them so at a major conference late last year. Data and digital disruption will come, margins will compress, customers will demand transparency. It’s only a question of when and how those realities come to pass.
And if it’s true in real estate sales, all the more so in the poor cousin of the industry – rental property management. The quiet achiever of the real estate industry has been treated as a cash cow by the sales agents who own the agencies for decades now. It’s the only thing that is keeping many agencies alive in the current downswing.
But the incentives here are also misaligned. If the agent tells an owner they will get an (inflated) rental price for their property in order to secure the business, who pays for the error? The owner – with an empty unlet property until they are also “managed” back to a realistic price. If the agent doesn’t stay on top of their brief and collect the rent from a recalcitrant tenant, who hurts from the error? Not the agent again – the owner.
The message from Purplebricks is clear – the status quo is not OK – the customers are not happy – and just because one “disruptor” with an even more mis-aligned business model than the old guard failed, do not assume winter isn’t coming. It will. The good agents know this and are working on how they can build a sustainable model that is aligned with the interests of their clients. Those who don’t adapt will die. I just can’t tell you when yet.
That’s why some more innovative new participants in the industry are starting to do things differently by genuinely putting owners first, offering guarantees that if agents don’t quickly find a new tenant or collect the rent on time, then the agent, not the owner bears the cost.
Evan Thornley is the co-founder, investor and executive chair of new style agency LongView. 
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Winter still coming for real estate agents despite Purplebricks departure

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After almost 11 years at BresicWhitney, Matthew Carvahlo has joined Ray White in the inner west.
Matthew Carvalho (pictured) has just joined Ray White Erskineville|Surry Hills &amp; Alexandria as an associate director.
The decision was made just before Christmas.
<a href="/news/nic-krasnostein-recruited-by-ray-white-double-bay-from-bresicwhitney">Nic Krasnostein</a>, one of the leading agents in Sydney’s east and inner-city precincts, quit BresicWhitney too over the break, recruited by Ray White Double Bay.
Krasnostein had been at BresicWhitney since January 2007, so just short of 12 years. 
Carvalho has the ambition of expanding their existing business to Glebe.
“I know the inner west like the back of my hand and my main areas of have always been Glebe, Pyrmont, Camperdown and Forest Lodge,” Mr Carvalho said.
“I have been friends with Ercan Ersan for many years and I have always clicked with he and Shaun Stoker.
"We are keen to grow our footprint onto the other side of Parramatta Road to cover the inner city fringe in yellow."
Ersan said Carvalho had joined their team to complete their "Golden Triangle”.
“We see Matthew as the missing link in our business. Shaun and I have a great hold on the Erskineville and Enmore area while Matthew services Glebe, Forest Lodge and Camperdown area so well. For us that’s the Golden Triangle,” they said.
Carvalho is the son of a veteran estate agent, Don.
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Ray White signs on Matthew Carvalho for inner west expansion

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Jane Schumann, who has worked in real estate since 1990, has quit Di Jones for Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay.
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Schumann was part of the team at Di Jones Real Estate Eastern Suburbs for the past 13 years.
She was credited as the firm’s number one agent in the east. She was the group's top auction lister in 2017.
She had sold 27 properties in the last 12 months, with an average sale price of $2.4 million and total sales valued at $26.5 million, according to her now disappeared Domain profile.
Jane worked with son Samuel Schumann and Jean-Michel Rudsdale on 19 of these sales.
The Di Jones group sold over 400 properties during 2018, with sales totalling $700 million.
While it was more transactions than achieved in 2017, the Di Jones chief Rob Ward acknowledged there had been a decline in the average sale price of 14 per cent due to falling sales prices and the expansion into new markets.
The merger with LJ Hooker Wahroonga <a href="/news/di-jones-expands-to-sydneys-north-shore">took place in early 2016</a>, with the combined offices having separately reaped sales worth $530 million during 2015.
The real estate industry pioneer <a href="/news/sydney-eastern-suburbs-real-estate-doyenne-di-jones-dies">Diane Jones</a> passed away in June surrounded by family, having sold out of the business in 2016, but then staying on as an ambassador.
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Jane Schumann's highest recorded recent sale price in 2018 was $7.6 million for 1/56-58 Wolseley Road, Point Piper, a 4-bedroom apartment sold by private treaty in January which was on the market for 110 days.
Last year saw her sale of a Potts Point penthouse for just under $9 million, after she had 450 groups through, to Gretel Packer.
Schumann described it earlier this year as her "most memorable sale."
Shortly after the auction, Jane Schumann told The Australian that she did not know who the buyer was actually, such was its intrigue.
It was offered by the Coppleson family, whose daughter Victoria was then a colleague at the estate agency.
For much of her time at the then Woollahra-based agency, she partnered Gary Sands in her Team Schumann Sands.
The Di Jones Woollahra staff were recently advised that they were set to be relocated to less prominent Paddington premises, a move which has been delayed slightly given asbestos being found in the ceiling of their new Glenmore Road premises.
Before Di Jones she was at The Bickmore Hutt Agency and Richardson &amp; Wrench. She was the national publicity manager for PolyGram Records before she entered real estate.
The other big name joining Raine and Horne Double Bay is Peter Starr, an agent for more than 27 years, who is moving from McGrath Edgecliff.
The recruitment coup was led by the company’s head of sales, Luke Hogan, who was McGrath eastern suburbs sales manager until earlier this year.
Both Schumann and Starr were reputedly offered sign on fees.
Directed by Ric Serrao and Martin Maskin, the Raine &amp; Horne office has been recognised for the past 14 consecutive years as Raine &amp; Horne’s best performing office in both number of sales and dollar value.
Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay has been the flagship office of the Raine &amp; Horne brand since it opened in 1968, the network’s first suburban office.
In 2012, Raine &amp; Horne Double Bay acquired Raine &amp; Horne Bondi Beach, which was established in 1979.
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Jane Schumann quits Di Jones for R&H Double Bay

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The Agency has gained a 40-year industry veteran and respected coach in Joe Abboud. 
He has been working as an agent for McGrath Estate Agents for the past decade in the Eastern Suburbs along with being a hands-on coach in the industry, providing one-on-one coaching for more than 20 agents a week.
His coaching dates back to the 1980s when he was appointed education officer for the REINSW’s Inner West division.
Thomas McGlynn, national director of sales, said Joe Abboud will be working with agents nationally, both within The Agency and across the industry, building unique programs tailored to individual agent’s needs.
His program starts with a minimum of seven hours spent with each agent followed by regular video conferencing meetings. Ongoing support is then provided by email and phone.
Abboud’s traditional real estate training relies heavily on process and looking at new technologies for connection.
His focus is on helping agents find a deeper connection with buyers and sellers by understanding how they are feeling and what they need to move on.
“In my opinion the market never changes only price.
"In what’s called a ‘boom’ market, there is limited stock, we are heading into a period where there will be a large selection of homes available, which is what buyers have been waiting for,” Abboud says.
"In today’s market there are many buyers who may have been active, and are now passive, what they need is an agent who will work closely with them, to help them find the home they love. It’s about matching qualified buyers with listings.” “I wanted to work with a brand that genuinely cares about its agents, this is The Agency mantra that has been proven since it launched,” Joe Abboud said.
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The Agency gains real estate veteran and coach Joe Abboud

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The real estate industry is a rewarding and fulfilling industry to be a part of, whether you are an agent or a property manager, with real estate agents commonly working around the clock in order to get the highest possible return for a property.
Despite the hard work of many real estate agents, research indicates that there is a lingering negative perception of the industry, with only seven per cent of Australians rating the profession as either ‘high’ or ‘very high’ for ethics and honesty, the third lowest profession out of 30 surveyed.
Broadly speaking, the negative perception of the industry stems from a lack of trust between customers and agents, but there are steps that agents can take to improve the overall perception, and build trust with clients along the way.
Myth #1 Property managers do not care about the owner's property
Property managers are often perceived to only contact tenants or landlords when there is money needed, but a crucial role of the property manager is to ensure that a property is properly maintained.
This involves the management of all financial components involved, including rent and any additional expenditure that is needed for maintenance. From the owner’s perspective, expectations are that a property manager will look after their property and keep it in the best shape possible, but when repairs or upgrades are needed, owners can often be difficult to contact when money needs to be spent.
It can be a challenging job for property managers to act as the middleman to control the variables that are beyond their capacity, as there are regulations that agents must follow and comply to.
This is where regular communication with clients is a must; being confident in your knowledge and experience will filter through to a client feeling more comfortable that the property is safe in your hands. And when it comes to having conversations about additional expenditure, clients will trust that their money is being spent for their own benefit.
Myth #2 Real estate agents make a profit from the marketing fee for a property campaign 
Marketing should be considered part of the investment when selling or leasing a property, as any proposed marketing tool is for the sole benefit of the campaign, but one of the most common misconceptions is that real estate agents profit from the marketing. Every dollar used for marketing materials or tools is put towards promoting a property in order to gain more exposure and better results.
A common expectation is that an agent should cover the marketing costs, all whilst selling the property for the highest amount within a short period of time.
According to a recent survey undertaken by Pureprofile, over 90% of vendors have unrealistic price expectations. If this situation arises, it’s the property managers duty to inform and educate the client in order to set up realistic expectations from the get go. Myth #3 Real estate agents and property managers are dishonest
All real estate agents and property managers are legally bound to be honest and provide correct information without bias. An agent should never offer limited or incorrect information to clients with the expectation they would gain the business or deal.
The increase of online rating systems such as RateMyAgent and OpenAgent are instrumental in encouraging complete transparency, as any dishonesty or poor service will be exposed for all to see. These systems also provide real estate agencies with the opportunity to continuously improve their system and practices.
At the end of the day, each agency is responsible for its own agents and educating them on best practice. This not only includes legal requirements, but how to effectively build trust with clients, while managing expectations along the way.
Alain Warisadi is a Licensed Estate Agent and the General Manager at Xynergy Realty 
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The misconceptions of the real estate industry: Alain Warisadi

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A Sydney Northern Beaches real estate agent has been charged over an alleged theft during an open house last Saturday.
The alleged incident took place during an open home being conducted on Pacific Parade, Dee Why.
The home owner reported missing personal items following the open home to the Dee Why police station who began an investigation.
Following inquiries, officers executed a search warrant at a home in Kanimbla Crescent, Bilgola Plateau where a number of items were seized.
A 38 year old woman was arrested yesterday.
She was charged with six counts of dishonestly obtaining goods by deception involving bankcard spending, and one count of steal from dwelling.
She has been granted conditional bail and will appear in court on 21 November.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/10/24/Real%20Estate%20Thief.JPG" alt="">
The police advisory did not identify if the open house was for sale or for rent.
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Real estate agent charged over open house theft in Dee Why

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Alexander Phillips of Phillps Pantzer Donnelley, located in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, has been ranked the nation's top selling agent for the third consecutive year.
He sold 184 properties for a total value of $530 million with an average 20 days on market time. His previous annual tally was $432 million, reflecting a huge spurt in sales commission heading his way. Phillips, who leads what the local paper, The Wentworth Courier dubbed the "wonder" team, spent some this year on an <a href="/news/roche-family-member-sells-for-11-million-in-vaucluse">$11 million Vaucluse home.</a>
But Michael Clarke at Clarke and Humel, this year's runner up in the REB awards, narrowed the gap for the mantle which accepts self nominations from estate agents who wish to participate.
The total sales difference between the top two shrunk to just $27 million over the past year. The gap in the prior year when James Tostevin was second had been $105 million.
Clarke (pictured below), from Sydney's northern beaches, moved up two positions in REB's rankings securing the highest number properties sold in the top 10 in 2018 with 185 sales.
With 13 years of experience and three assistants, Clarke's 185 properties sales sold in around 18 days on the market for an average of $2.72 million.
It was up to a total of $503 million, up from $362 million in the prior year.
<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/2018/7/19/Clarke.jpg" alt="">
The ranking is determined by the calculation of several factors, the precise formula is not disclosed by the REB publishing group, Momentum Media who indicate the metrics used to generate the REB Top 100 Agents ranking include the number of properties sold, total dollar volume of properties sold and the average sale value. Each agent is ranked comparatively across these three metrics, with the combined comparative score used to determine the top-ranked agents in the country..
3. James Tostevin, who was second placed in the 2017 top 100, and the 2016 list, sat in third place this year. He was top placed in 2014 and 2015.
The former number 2 with 33 years of experience, the most of any agent in the top 10 this year, is based in Hawthorn at Marshall White where he secured 180 listings this year and sold 155 residential properties, higher than 146 and 139 respectively in the prior year.
His average sale price is 2.5 million.
Phillip's average sale price for 2018 was $2.88 million compared to $2.25 million in the prior year. Phillips comes with 16 years experience, and a reported three support staff. 
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/7/19/Rankings%20REB%202.JPG" alt="">
4. In fourth place in 2018, also of Marshall White, was Marcus Chiminello based in the Toorak region.
Chiminello secured and sold this year 115 listings and 105 sales, yielding the highest average sale price of $4.2 million.
His homes spent an average of 22 days on the market and sold for a total of $442 million up almost $50 million from last year.
5. Coming in fifth this year was Glen Coutinho, with 30 years of experience working at the Kew based RT Edgar Boroondara with just a single assistant.
The 159 dwellings he sold this year spent an average of 28 days on the market.
The total value of all the homes Coutinho sold was $340 million for an average of $2.14 million up from his average of $1.98 million last year, according to REB. He had sold $329 million in the year before.
6. Swapping places with Glen is Ric Serrao who held the fifth position last year but 6th in the recent year.
Working in North Bondi as an agent at Raine and Horne Double Bay, Serrao secured and sold more listings this year, 161 and 131 respectively compared to 128 and 122 in 2017.
The domiciles he sold spent an average of 25 days on the market and sold for roughly $2.13 million for a total of $280 million.
7. In seventh David Highland of Highland Property, which is based in Cronulla, with 21 years of experience and the highest average on market time of 38 days, he sold 119 dwellings and listed a further 123.
This financial year the average price of a home sold by David was $2.22 million
8. With a higher average property price of $2.89 million but fewer properties sold, 85, comes Timothy Foote of Belle Property in 8th place having jumped up 26 places from last year.
Based out of Mosman with 17 years of experience and the highest amount, 5, support staff his properties average 23 days on the market for a total of $246 million.
9. The 16 year agent Tim Heavyside working at Fletchers servicing the Eastern Melbourne suburbs jumped 11 places this year to 9th, with 148 properties listed and 143 sold for an average price of $1.65 million up $350,000 from last year.
His properties averaged 25 days on the market and sold for $236 million dollars. His year was marred by a court judgement last December involving underquoting. 
10. Rounding out the REB's top ten agents is Peter Chauncey, who with 15 years of experience and half the amount of assistants to his 9th place counterpart, secured 103 listings and sold 112 properties for a total of 2017 million.
The average price for these homes was $1.85 million after averaging merely 15 days on the market, the lowest of any in the top ten.
Honorable mentions that didn't make the elusive top ten include, Peter Chauncy of Strathfield Partners Real estate, placing 11th this year after a 10th place performance last year with one the highest amount of listings secured, at 353, and properties sold, at 299.
As well as Ercan Ersan, new to the top 100, landed in 16th place with 159 listings secured and an additional 147 properties sold.
Gregory Booker ranked 64th had the highest number of total sales and listings secured, with 349 total sales from 493 listings.
Gregory Booker is an agent for LJ Hooker based at Kallangur and the Murrumba Downs in Queensland.
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