<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a> has announced that its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/lovedale-farm-1054-1184-wine-country-drive-lovedale-nsw-2325">Lovedale Farm</a> residential, resort and golf project has secured $24.6 million in sales in just three weeks since the opening of its display home, underscoring the appetite for premium lifestyle property in the Hunter Valley countryside.

The sales milestone has been driven by a diverse mix of buyers, including owner-occupiers and investors from Sydney, Newcastle and the local Hunter region, purchasing both land-only lots and house and land packages across the development.

<img alt="Lovedale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e173edc9-e60e-4f19-a060-9dc4421a3233" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/LovedaleFarm_20250215-1.jpg?VersionId=1LY6CvOaD.Dzrt8tWpWxXtPyfchixNIo" />

&nbsp;

The result builds on the momentum generated at the display home opening on 22 March, which attracted more than 460 attendees.

With house and land pricing from $1.14 million, Lovedale Farm continues to attract strong interest from buyers seeking a premium lifestyle offering at a compelling price point. The development’s vision, a championship golf course, future epicurean village and access to the Hunter Valley’s celebrated wine country, has resonated with a broad buyer profile, from first-time investors to those looking to make the move and call the Hunter Valley home.

<img alt="Lovedale Farm records $21.4 million in sales in three weeks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b358e789-e1eb-40ed-8105-ed5c8297136f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/20260321LovedaleFarmDisplayHomeOpening--6.jpg?VersionId=6GUO8TNnxuELONrsM6n9imDB6oc82Bor" />

Jim Hunter, Managing Director of Capital Corporation said the response since opening the display home has been encouraging.

"To reach $24.6 million in sales in just three weeks speaks to the genuine demand for a lifestyle community of this calibre in the Hunter Valley," Hunter says.

"We’re seeing buyers from across the region and beyond, including investors who recognise the long-term value, and owner-occupiers who simply want to live somewhere truly special.

“Lovedale Farm is two decades in the making, and the market’s response is everything we hoped for. We’re excited to see these first buyers become part of the Lovedale Farm story from the very beginning."

<img alt="Lovedale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="54d985cf-2ac2-400b-ac02-4401f3421ac7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/20260321LovedaleFarmDisplayHomeOpening--5.jpg?VersionId=3866bPoqpLZsm.3ACg9EafAr1W3miC_f" />

&nbsp;

Spanning 240 hectares on Wine Country Drive in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/lovedale-nsw-2325">Lovedale</a>, the $1 billion development is expected to deliver around 1,250 jobs during construction and inject more than $300 million into the local economy. The first 200 homes and championship 18-hole golf course are anticipated for completion in late 2027.

Capital Corporation has also lodged development plans for the Lovedale Farm clubhouse, set to become a vibrant hub for residents and the wider Hunter Valley community. Further releases are planned for later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=14476]

Joel Robinson

Lovedale Farm display home opening triggers $24.6 million in sales in three weeks

Prominent Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/osk-property">OSK Property</a> has unveiled <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aura-at-melbourne-square-7-hoff-boulevard-southbank-vic-3006">Aura</a>, the next stage of its $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct in Southbank, continuing its push into wellness-led, amenity-rich apartment living.

The $800 million tower, planned for 7 Hoff Boulevard, will rise 67 storeys and deliver 673 apartments, with COX Architecture drawing on both Japanese design principles and Australia’s natural landscape to shape the building’s identity. A rectangular grid aesthetic defines the building’s exterior, with COX drawing design cues from New York high-rises and Tokyo’s skyline.

Aura builds on a growing trend in high-density living, where wellness is no longer an add-on but central to the product. The development is structured around four key pillars, combining calm, minimalist residences with layered communal spaces, landscaped gardens, and a suite of wellness amenities designed to support both physical and mental wellbeing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367465]

At the core of the project is what OSK describes as a vertical wellness ecosystem, a multi-level approach to amenity that integrates health, lifestyle, and social spaces throughout the building rather than confining them to a single level.

The main resident hub, the Aura Club on level seven, will include a pool, cold plunge, spa, gym, Pilates and yoga studios, alongside more lifestyle-driven inclusions like a golf simulator, music rooms, library, and work-from-home spaces. Above, a series of higher-level amenity zones, including the Meridian Club and Cumulus Club, introduce more refined, social and retreat-style environments, with private dining, lounges, and premium wellness spaces positioned to take advantage of city views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367467]

The residences themselves will largely include balconies, a key design move in a market increasingly focused on natural light, airflow, and connection to the outdoors. Views will extend across the CBD, the Arts Precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens, and beyond.

Aura also introduces approximately 1,600 sqm of retail across the lower levels, further activating the Melbourne Square precinct, which already includes Kennedy Park, a Woolworths, childcare, and a growing mix of hospitality operators.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367474]

“Aura stands tall as an exemplar of holistic wellness – its focus on social, physical and mental health culminate in a building that is calming, restorative and relaxing, where residents will have their own sanctuary within the well-connected and sought-after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>," says&nbsp;OSK Property CEO Chong Boon Woon.

“We have been very encouraged by the market’s response to the BLVD offering, and we know there is a strong demand for the level of amenity, service and design that the Melbourne Square precinct is known for.

“Complemented by work-from-home lounges for professionals, family friendly outdoor garden spaces, and state-of-the-art fitness and wellness facilities, Aura will continue our focus on maximising physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing,” he said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367475]

The project follows the strong performance of BLVD, which is now around 80 per cent sold, and reinforces OSK Property’s long-term commitment to Melbourne Square as a fully integrated, mixed-use precinct.

Construction is expected to commence in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151921]

OSK unveils AURA, the latest stage in Southbank's $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct

National developer Time &amp; Place appears to have settled on a design for its long-anticipated Potts Point project.

After several years of back and forth with local council and the NSW Government, the developer, which has spent seven years targeting the former The Chimes site on Macleay Street, has now progressed its plans.

Following a concept design submission last year by SJB, Time &amp; Place has lodged a full State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government, this time for a scheme designed by Kerry Hill Architects.

<img alt="Time &amp; Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="504d2a27-d65f-4227-8189-1e35e3376e62" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%209.38.24%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_XqFKATYHF30KnVByPxhaI9UBzmkmfn7" />

The 16-storey proposal includes 44 apartments, 21 of which will be build-to-sell. These will comprise 19 three-bedroom apartments and two four-bedroom units.

More than 50 per cent of the development will be dedicated to affordable housing, with 23 studio apartments to be delivered in line with the NSW Government’s Housing SEPP.

Kerry Hill Architects said the proposal is driven by a strong response to place.

“Our proposal for a new residential building for Potts Point in Sydney is driven by a deep consideration of place,” the practice said in its submission.

“This operates on multiple levels, including a landscape approach that reinstates endemic flora of the Sydney peninsula and provides a ground-floor garden for residents, reconnecting the site to its pre-European history. A brick podium further strengthens this relationship to context, integrating planting and fine bronze detailing that references the predominant material language of Macleay Street.”

The three-level podium will be topped by a communal resident space, featuring a covered pool designed to receive direct afternoon sun in winter, a neighbouring reflection pool, dining and event areas oriented to maximise sunset views, and an outdoor exercise zone.

<img alt="Time &amp; Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8d3eedc1-babb-44a3-bd96-d8a42f3adf1f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%209.37.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Ii7.4dvqNatu5GQi6bhqNjAswrMB998." />

The design also incorporates highly crafted shopfronts and a clearly defined residential entry to activate the street. Juliette balconies to the podium residences will provide passive surveillance and a strong sense of habitation.

Above, the larger apartments are housed within a light-coloured masonry and bronze tower.

“The tower steps back in a series of gently curved volumes that reference the rich Art Deco context of Macleay Street,” the architects said. “Carefully calibrated vertical fins frame the views while providing privacy and a sense of refuge.”

<img alt="Time &amp; Place" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6fab60f4-3140-4469-b47a-48c781e0a30b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-20%20at%209.28.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=e5XxrM3kzdASdKlcIACHAHbOSZhSKC9O" />

Time &amp; Place has been one of the most active developers nationally in the last 12 to 24 months. Late last year they completed&nbsp;The Queensbridge in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/southbank-vic-3006">Southbank</a>, a mixed-use tower with 353 apartments and a hotel. They are currently selling Park Modern, 246 apartments near the famous Botanic Gardens in South Melbourne.

The developer has approval for The Burke, a mixed-use project in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/glen-iris-vic-3146">Glen Iris</a>&nbsp;being delivered in partnership with Woolworths. The 60 apartments, positioned above a new Woolworths supermarket, are expected to launch in the coming months. Time &amp; Place is also progressing plans for the redevelopment of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/northcote-vic-3070">Northcote</a>&nbsp;Plaza, and have recently submitted plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/vic/time-place-unveils-plans-22-storey-south-melbourne-tower">22-storey tower</a>, another in South Melbourne.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/sydney-nsw">Sydney</a>, the developer has two projects in Manly: Two Tides, which is currently under construction, and an ultra high-end building on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/shoreline-manly-beach-89-90-north-steyne-manly">North Steyne</a>, fronting the beach. It is also continuing to work through the redevelopment of The Chimes building on Macleay Street in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/potts-point-nsw-2011">Potts Point</a>, as well as Marlborough House, the redevelopment of the original David Jones warehouse building in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surry-hills-nsw-2010">Surry Hills</a>.

First look: Time & Place settles on design for The Chimes, Potts Point redevelopment

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/develotek">Develotek</a> is joining the likes of TOGA, Deicorp, and One Global Capital, betting on a boom in Five Dock ahead of the 2032 mooted opening of the Five Dock Metro Station.

Develotek, which is currently developing Bianca on the Drummoyne waterfront and has plans approved for a tower in Chatswood, has filed a State Significant Development Application for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/79-81-queens-road-five-dock-nsw-2046">two-building project in the evolving Kings Bay precinct</a>.

The buildings, one more boutique just five storeys and the other 26 storeys, will rise from an 3,158 sqm site across&nbsp;79–81 Queens Road and 2–8 Spencer Street, will home 134 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, above ground-floor retail and five basement levels of parking.

A key component of the proposal is the inclusion of 15 per cent of residential floor space as in-fill affordable housing, unlocking additional height and density under the Housing SEPP.

<img alt="First Look: Develotek lodges State Significant shop top housing project in Five Dock precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3ee31bf7-75ba-4bc5-b190-49885193219f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium_2.png?VersionId=730UbrduuwK3C1sO28RHjiLPUPqXqjkh" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a>, the scheme adopts a podium-and-tower configuration, with a five-storey street wall along Queens Road transitioning to a 26-storey tower set deeper into the site. The ground plane prioritises activation and permeability, with retail frontages and a new through-site link connecting Queens Road to Spencer Street.

At the upper levels, the tower façade has been conceived using a modular system to support prefabrication and reduce construction waste, while improving build efficiency. The splayed form draws on the geometry of surrounding industrial rooftops, reinterpreting the area’s heritage in a contemporary expression while also helping to reduce solar heat gain to east and west-facing apartments.

“This project aspires to transform a former industrial site into a connected, resilient and people-focused urban community, grounded in Country, shaped by history, and designed to enrich everyday life within the evolving Kings Bay Precinct,” said John Walsh, Principal at Plus Studio.

The proposal reflects the broader transformation of the Kings Bay Precinct under the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy, marking a shift from its industrial past to a higher-density, mixed-use urban neighbourhood.

<img alt="First Look: Develotek lodges State Significant shop top housing project in Five Dock precinct" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="abde734c-1e31-4a97-a1d2-fa9bcf31c380" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/building%20podium.png?VersionId=fNUupP6u146yEytQT31kKVRxwtACgPpP" />

Develotek is emerging as an active participant in the state’s affordable housing-led uplift pathway. The developer recently secured approval for a 34-storey mixed-use tower in Chatswood, where it similarly leveraged the in-fill affordable housing provisions to increase scale and deliver a 101-unit scheme with dedicated affordable apartments.

Their entry into Five Dock places them alongside a growing list of developers targeting the suburb ahead of its anticipated transport uplift, with Sydney Metro set to extend into the area. Major players including TOGA, Deicorp, and One Global Capital are all progressing large-scale precinct-style developments nearby, collectively reshaping the low-rise industrial fabric into a higher-density mixed-use corridor.

The Five Dock site sits within the Kings Bay Precinct, a key renewal area under the Parramatta Road Corridor Urban Transformation Strategy, where planning controls support significant uplift tied to affordable housing delivery. The consolidated 3,158 sqm site is currently occupied by low-rise industrial uses, including warehouses and vehicle workshops, earmarked for transition.

First Look: Develotek joins in Five Dock apartment boom

Ascot’s Racecourse Road continues to be a hive of activity for Brisbane developers.

Following Fortis and GRAYA, which are both preparing new projects along the key strip connecting Kingsford Smith Drive and Eagle Farm Racecourse, local developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/skyhold">Skyhold</a> is the latest to lodge plans for its own development.

The group is proposing One One Two Residences, a boutique project comprising just seven apartments, named after its address at 112 Racecourse Road.

The proposal outlines a five-storey building on an 810 sqm site. The built form slightly exceeds the four-storey expectation under the neighbourhood plan, aligning instead with the emerging character of the strip. As the planning report notes, “the locality is characterised by a transition toward medium-rise residential development, with a number of recent developments… above the stipulated height limits.”

<img alt="First Look: Skyhold lodges plans for boutique Ascot apartments as Racecourse Road revival gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ec577631-8c51-4163-960e-e7b3a77d655b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Ascot.png?VersionId=iAzQ46D4Uu1UqiS0mVnlcy9jeFKBpJIj" />

Designed by 111 with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/paul-bangay-garden-design">Paul Bangay Studio</a>, the scheme adopts a layered architectural approach with strong articulation and a subtropical response. Deep balconies, integrated planters, and a mix of masonry and textured finishes define the façade, while upper-level setbacks reduce perceived bulk. The architectural statement describes “a series of horizontally expressed layers, defined by deep balconies and a consistent robust material palette,” aimed at delivering a refined streetscape presence.

Apartments are configured as large-format residences, including multiple three-bedroom layouts and a full-floor penthouse, supported by ground-level parking. A rooftop terrace will provide communal amenities including a pool and landscaped recreation areas. The design prioritises privacy, natural ventilation, and greenery, with planting integrated across all levels to soften the building form and contribute to the public realm.

<img alt="First Look: Skyhold lodges plans for boutique Ascot apartments as Racecourse Road revival gathers pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1e1219bd-b45a-4d7f-bbc7-7207d7b2fc94" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Ascot%20entry.png?VersionId=JIoUOLMgQ5xWpEF0etEI3ffIoIVjD7gO" />

The proposal sits within the Racecourse Road precinct, a key mixed-use spine in Ascot that continues to attract renewed development interest.

Later this year national developer Fortis will launch its own boutique development, which, pending council approvals, will be 16 apartments designed by Koichi Takada Architects, just down the street.

“Racecourse Road is going through a massive revitalisation and we’re proud to be a part of that transformation,” said Fortis's QLD General Manager, Dan Boman.

Nearby, GRAYA is advancing its larger-scale The Gallery, a mixed-use shop-top housing project designed to act as a “catalytic project for Racecourse Road.”

First Look: Racecourse Road, Hamilton revitalization to continue as Skyhold joins the party

Spring Market

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EXPERT OBSERVATION
The outlook for the property market is expected to be quieter this Spring compared to previous seasons, but buyers are still there, according to home loan lender, ME.
I shared my spring property predictions:
The property market notoriously blooms in spring with a flurry of listings and buyers preparing to pounce.
But this season will be different: the property market will quieter due to the impact of COVID-19, particularly in Melbourne.
Despite some more listings this Spring and record low interest rates, economic concerns will dampen demand.
Plenty of challenges remain including high levels of unemployment, job insecurity and lower immigration, impacting people’s willingness to transact in property.
Many Australians are also on home loan repayment pauses. The gradual end of this type of support will be a critical juncture for the property market going forward.
Demand: first home buyers pounce, dreams of a sea or tree change to become reality
In terms of demand, buyer activity is expected to be overall lower than previous spring buying seasons, but buyers are still there and have a strong appetite for potentially bargain buys.
ME has seen an influx of first home buyers and expects this to continue. Potential for price falls, reduced investor activity together with historically low interest rates and government support are propelling first home buyers into action.
COVID-19 has also led to a re-assessment of life priorities. New remote and flexible working arrangements have made buying in regional areas a more feasible and affordable lifestyle option, and as such we may start seeing more buyers making their move this Spring.
According to ME’s latest Quarterly Property Sentiment Report, 45% of respondents said they were more likely to consider buying in a regional area, to save money and improve their lifestyle − rising to 60% of first home buyers.
Supply: A rush of fresh real estate listings on the horizon
The fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns has caused a short supply of stock. However, this Spring we may see an increase in listings come onto the market. I don’t foresee new stock overwhelming current demand, but certainly anyone listing will be met with a high degree of inquiry.
More competitive home loans
Competition in the home loan market will continue to benefit consumers looking for a good deal. Many lenders including ME have sharpened both <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au/news/perfectly-simple/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">variable</a> and <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au/news/customers-want-low-fixed-rates-for-shorter-periods/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">fixed home rates</a> to attract and retain customers.
Andrew Bartolo is the ME General Manager of Home Loans
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Spring selling season will be dampened under COVID-19: ME's Andrew Bartolo

<html><body>
Sticks and Wombat’s Elsternwick renovation from the last season of The Block sold after its weekend auction.
Listed with initial $2.65 millionth $2.75 million price hopes, it fetched $2.83 million <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-elsternwick-129120878" target="_blank">through Michael Paproth and Peter Kakos at The Agency</a>.
<div class="page" title="Page 1">There were two bidders and no television cameras when the five-bedroom, four-bathroom home went to its onsite Sunday afternoon auction.</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1"> </div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">Passed in at $2.66 million, its sold vert shortly after negotiations to a family from the inner south-eastern suburbs.</div>
The 46B Regent Street last sold for $2.65 million amid the Block's typical frenzy last October.
Larrikins, Mark “Sticks” Croker and Clint “Wombat” Price were fourth place getters on the stressful renovation television series.
Taking home a profit of $130,000, it had been built with an extensive use of reclaimed timber.
The New South Wales representatives had been judged as having the best hallway, front facade and garden.
Canberra was the standout capital city at weekend auctions with the strongest preliminary clearance rate of 68.1 percent, according to CoreLogic.
Prices ranged between $450,500 at Barton and $1.5 million at Braddon.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/real-estate/31-43-blackall-street-barton-act/property-details-buy-residential-12073654/" target="_blank">The one-bedroom Barton apartment</a> (below) had 69sqm of living space plus a 37 sqm balcony, security car space and storage cage.
<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/2018/9/17/bardon1.jpg" alt="">
Set in the 2004-built Landmark, the Blackall Street property had been a $430 a week rental in 2016.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-act-braddon-129144866" target="_blank">46B Girrahween Street, Braddon</a> offering was a single level, four bedroom home with private easy care gardens. 
Built in 2003, the property has tenanted at $1,000 per week increasing this month to $1,025 per week until July 2019 
It rates were advised as $1,044 pq and its land tax as $1,760 pq.
Only 45.1 percent of Brisbane homes sold including the nation's cheapest weekend result.
It was a $150,000 home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-russell+island-128985554" target="_blank">14 Akebia Street, Russell Island</a> (below) which was sold under mortgagee instruction. Russell Island is the biggest of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands, situated between the mainland and North Stradbroke Island.
<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/2018/9/17/Bardon.jpg" alt="">
The three bedroom home had been for sale earlier this year at $229,000 with $235 a week tenancy on offer.
The combined capital cities saw an increase in the number of homes taken to auction to 1,985 auctions held, up from 1,916 auctions.
The preliminary auction clearance of 55 percent was lower than the previous week’s 55.3 per cent final clearance rate.
<div class="column">
"This week’s clearance rate is the lowest preliminary result seen so far this year, it will be interesting to see how this revises as final results are collected," CoreLogic auction analyst Kevin Brogan said.
"So far the Spring selling season has seen a lower volume of auctions take place each week relative to the same period last year, demonstrating the reluctance within a softening market," he added.
</div>
<div class="column">
There were 991 Melbourne homes taken to auction this week, down on one year ago's much higher 1,265 homes.
Melbourne posted a preliminary clearance rate of 57.2 per cent.
Melbourne cheapest sale was a studio apartment at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/real-estate/302-18-34-station-street-sandringham-vic/property-details-buy-residential-12049262/" target="_blank">302/18-34 Station St, Sandringham</a> (below) which fetched $275,000.
<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/2018/9/17/strad1.jpg" alt="">
A kew home was Melbourne's dearest. The renovated 1890s Victorian house at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/real-estate/2-belmont-avenue-kew-vic/property-details-sold-residential-12065448/" target="_blank">2 Belmont Avenue, Kew</a> (below), offering with a price guide of $3.5 million to $3.85 million, sold to a Kew downsizer for $3.83 million.
<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/2018/9/17/kew1.jpg" alt="">
In Sydney, 52.6 per cent of properties sold, with 665 homes taken to market.
Last year, there were 916 Sydney homes taken to auction with 64.2 per cent being sold.
Sydney has the nation's top sale which was secured in a pre-auction offer for 15 Kareelah Road, Hunters Hill.
The five bedroom non-riverfront <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-hunters+hill-129088850" target="_blank">1871 sandstone residence Doonbah</a>, set on the peninsula with views over the Parramatta River back to the city, fetched $5.61 million through Tracey Dixon at McGrath.
There had been a $4.85 million price guide.
It was sold by Matt and Jo Sandford, founders of online personal card seller Yellow Postie.
</div>
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Sticks and Wombat Elsternwick cottage renovation resold for slightly more

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Are you getting ready to sell your house?
Setting the right asking price is going to be challenging for vendors as spring volumes peak and the summer break looms.
It can be a tricky task, especially when the property market is displaying signs of movement.
Sometimes a home can be listed into a seemingly strong market, which then weakens during the marketing campaign.
Most asking prices tend to a little above what the vendor will actually take, as this allows some negotiating space between the buyer and seller.
Often vendors get a very realistic offer early on from buyers who've been in the market for some time. They might also get a cheeky lowball offer.
It is one of those ponderables as to whether it is best to accept a speedy sale, or wait for that desired higher price.
Higher discounting certainly occur longer into marketing campaigns when the asking price simply doesn't match buyer interest so a vendor eventually accepts a figure well below the initial advertised price.
At the moment Sydney vendors are typically accepting 5.1% discounts on their asking prices to secure their house sales. It was 4.8% at the start of the spring selling season according to CoreLogic.
Canberra is a hot market so its vendors need only to discount by 2.5%, while Darwin is ailing and it requires a 9.9% discount before most sales are done.
The national average sits at just above 5%, with peaks over the past decade seeing 8% required discounting across Australia.
Ofcourse you will have your own idea on the worth of your property, but it is important to canvas and listen to the professions.
Before you signup to one agent, for auction or private treaty, be sure you get two or three other local agents to come through your property.
They will happily provide a report on how they see the local market, its likely direction, and just where your property sits within it.
It is important to get these varied insights for the best way forward.
And don't necessary simply select the agent who promised the highest price outcome.
You have to be comfortable working with your agent all the way through the listing.
Ofcourse the lucky vendors will find a buyer as soon as the for sale sign goes up from someone who's always fancied your home from just along the same street.
The less fortunate will be nervously hoping they finally get that pre-Christmas buyer, forever grateful they had secured extended settlement terms on their next home purchase.
The key is ascertaining where the localised market is placed pricewise, and often that relates to the level of stock.
Overall there's some 25,000 offerings across Sydney - around 20% more stock than the same time last year, which means buyers have more choice. There were 22,000 listings at the start of spring.
Ask your prospective estate agents what, say, four bedroom house stock levels have been in your suburb over recent times, and also find out what sales they have actually secured. 
Asking prices can of course change throughout a campaign but if a vendor’s expectation was unrealistically way too high even this is unlikely to trigger any sale.
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph. 
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Setting the right asking price is a fine balance

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With the Springtime property season starting, lenders are going all the way to woo potential borrowers and grow their market share.
The latest to join the trend is HSBC, following moves by major banks such as Westpac and NAB. 
Westpac recently announced it was cutting mortgage interest rates by up to 85 basis points and waiving fees on other products.
Comparison website Mozo too announced its list of the best home loans in the market, with the lowest product being Loans 3.64 percent variable rate.
The Essentials Variable 80 also didn’t have any ongoing fees, though it had an upfront fee.
In second place on Mozo’s list was the Newcastle Permanent Discounted Variable Home Loan product.
It too had a 3.64 percent variable interest rate, no upfront fees and allows a borrower to get a loan with just 5 percent deposit.
Close on its heels was UBank’s UHomeLoan which offered a 3.74 percent variable rate. It also has no ongoing or upfront fees.
Mozo said the product won in categories including best Low Cost, Split Home Loan and both Fixed and Variable Investor Loans. 
Interestingly, the only lender that had two products in the top seven list from Mozo was Loans.
Its second product was the Offset Variable 80 which had a 3.72 percent variable rate. Again, the product has no ongoing fees though there is an upfront fee of $250. 
Below is a table of offers for owner occupiers and investors from Loans.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/09/05/LoansOwner.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/09/05/LoansOwner.png" alt="">
According to Mozo, the product is well suited to borrowers looking for an offset home loan to help pay less interest and repay their loan faster. It's available to owner occupiers borrowing up to 80% of a property's value.
None of the Big Four banks were on the list.
On lower interest rate products, HSBC Australia’s head of mortgages and third party distribution, Alice Del Vecchio, said “lower rates in the market are encouraging customers to refinance their loans, but 25% of mortgage holders don’t know what their home loan rate is, making it harder for them to recognise the financial benefit of switching their loan”.
Del Vecchio added that its 3.65% p.a. rate can “make a huge impact on the savings over the life of the loan, not to mention freeing up money in the short-term with potentially lower repayments”.
A home owner with a $700,000 variable rate loan at 4.00% p.a. will save more than $40,000 over the life of the loan by switching to HSBC’s lower rate.
The bank also ran a survey, along with RFi Group, on 2,000 mortgage holders in Australia to get a feel for home owner attitudes and motivations.
Of those polled, 30% said speaking to a mortgage broker was one of the first steps towards refinancing a mortgage while 25% said they researched loans online.
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