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Brisbane restaurateur John Kilroy has listed his New Farm penthouse, complete with its own rooftop garden.

Kilroy, who runs Cha Cha Char, the steak institution on Eagle Street, paid $3.6 million off the plan in 2013, three years before the building was finished.

The two-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-new+farm-134820450" target="_blank">11/170 Bowen Terrace</a> is being marketed by Alex Phillis of Phillis Real Estate.

Comprising two levels, the unique penthouse features a private roof top terrace and a private pool in the sky.

It has been custom fitted from new by Kilroy and is set over the top two floors of the eight level apartment building, featuring only six other full floor residences.

Marketed as "the best private rooftop in Brisbane," Mr Phillis estimated a price point around $10 million.

Last year the apartment below sold for $6 million.

Set on 625 sqm, its within close proximity to the City, James Street, New Farm, the Casino, Golf courses and medical facilities. Plus the Brisbane International airport is a 20 minute drive and the Gold Coast, 50 minutes.

<h2>QLD properties on the market right now:</h2>

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John Kilroy seeks $10 million for New Farm penthouse

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The owner of the National Basketball League and Melbourne property developer, Larry Kestelman, is the second highest debutant to make it on the Financial Review Rich List.

He is ranked 85 on the list behind the highest ranking debutant, Perth businessman Tim Roberts who is the son of Multiplex founder John Roberts who is ranked 62.

Roberts has an estimated $986 million net worth with Kestelman's worth put at $749 million net worth.

Roberts has a diverse number of investments including funds management and he is part of businesses such as AVWest and Warburton Group.

Kestelman owns various sporting groups, however his main wealth comes from property via his LK Property Groups which he is chief executive.

He also owns 75% ownership of Philippine outsourcing and call-centre company, Acquire BPO.

LK is currently building the Capitol Grand project in Melbourne, which will consist of 500 plus apartments over 50 storeys.

Last year Property Observer reported on the commencement of demolition for the Capitol Grand project in <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/50834-capitol-grand-south-yarra-set-to-commence-demolition-after-120-luxury-apartment-sales" target="_blank">South Yarra</a>.

In 2013 he sold his company Dodo for $230 million.

Property tycoons dominated this year's Financial Review <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/news/70792-property-tycoons-dominate-financial-review-rich-list-with-record-breaking-australian-wealth" target="_blank">rich list</a>.

<h2>VIC properties selling now:</h2>

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Melbourne property developer Larry Kestelman the second highest debutant on Rich List

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The rural property trust, Rural Funds Group has bought Cobungra Station for $35 million.

Cobungra Station – one of Victoria's largest and most prestigious high-country beef breeding enterprises – was offered for sale last April.

It was for only the third time in 100 years.

The $35 million deal secured the 6486-hectare alpine beef property at the foot of Mount Hotham, plus more than 24,000 hectares of adjacent grazing licences.

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Cobungra Station has a history and reputation as a grower of high quality Australian beef stretching back to the 1800s.

Its cattle comprises Full Blood Wagyu, F1 Wagyu Cross and English Breed herds.

In 2001 a comprehensive full blood wagyu breeding programme commenced, starting with a herd of 70 cows descended from Michifuku bloodlines. Since then the Cobungra full blood wagyu herd has developed substantially.

At between 1000m and 1500m above sea level, the altitude and clean mountain air, combined with abundant clean water makes a naturally healthy place to raise cattle. 

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Cobungra Station's Wagyu product is distributed under the award-winning “Blackmore Wagyu” label.

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Stone Axe Pastoral Company, a Wagyu producer that leases two other properties from RFF, has entered a ten-year lease with a rent review in year five.

The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-livestock-vic-omeo-7952550" target="_blank">1929 Great Alpine Road, Omeo property</a> was offered through Elders and Colliers.

<h2>VIC properties now selling:</h2>

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Rural Funds Group buys Cobungra Station for $35 million

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Baker Andrew Connole, one of Australia’s oft-cited business success stories, secured the pre-Christmas sale of his Point Piper waterfront home.

There is no sale price guide by Bill Malouf, of LJ Hooker Double Bay, but the $18 million sale next door two years ago by South African-born insurance industry chief Richard Enthoven was an easy comparison for buyers.

The private jetty and deepwater pontoon front a harbourside pool, and a four-level residence with a lift, formal and informal living areas, study, parent’s retreat with a dressing room and sunroom with a spa.

The Wunulla Road residence, Bellata, was named after the town 570 kilometres northwest of Sydney where his dad Kerry Connole dreamed of restoring an old bakery to its former glory.

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<div class="in-content-ad">Bellata was renovated after his $9.7 million settlement in 2011 when he bought it from architect Harold Finger and wife Rebecca.</div>

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Overlooking the Royal Motor Yacht Club and Rose Bay, the refurbished home on 568 sqm.

It comes complete with its own jetty and deepwater pontoon.

Spanning four levels, connected by a lift, the home has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, two powder rooms and also home office.

The master suite with spa bath comes with terrace and dressing room.

The downstairs wine cellar extends to another terrace which has a waters' edge infinity pool.

LJ Hooker Double Bay agents Bill Malouf and Sophie Beaumont were marketing the home.

<div class="in-content-ad">It was from those humble beginnings that Sonoma Baking Company was founded in the late 1990s.</div>

Connole's father bought an old abandoned and derelict bakery that he had a vision to restore with Andrew and Andrew's brother Christian.

Andrew headed to California to learn about artisan sourdough from Chad Robertson of Tartine Bakery, one of the the industry's finest.

<h2>NSW properties selling now:</h2>

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Baker Andrew Connole sells Point Piper waterfront

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McGrath Limited today announced the appointment of an additional non-executive director, Shane Smollen.

Mr Smollen’s appointment follows McGrath posting a significant turnaround with Underlying EBITDA of $3.7 million for the year to 30 June 2020, compared with a loss of $6.4 million in the previous year.

A leading property professional since 1983, Mr Smollen owned one of the country’s leading real estate networks before selling it to McGrath in 2015. Mr. Smollen, who currently holds 7.94% of McGrath’s issued capital, has been advising McGrath’s sales management team over recent months with a focus on productivity and revenue growth.

Chair of McGrath, Mr. Peter Lewis, said “Shane brings to the board an excellent real estate track record with expertise in all aspects of the sector, combined with integrity and insights that will accelerate our profit turnaround and restore shareholder value."

Mr Smollen said “I am delighted to join the board of McGrath, a company that I know well. I believe the group is well placed to take advantage of an expected consolidation of the real estate agency sector.

McGrath has performed significantly better than the market during the year, notwithstanding the ongoing impacts of COVID.

<h2>Recently listed properties:</h2>

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McGrath appoints Shane Smollen as non-executive director

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The beachfront Queensland market continues to boom despite closed borders. Billionaire developer Bob Ell has emerged as the buyer of a beachfront on Mermaid Beach that was listed for just three days.

He's apparently paid close to $22.5 million for the home and its ocean views.

<img alt="" src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-28%20at%2010.09.25%20am.png">

But he and wife Bridget, who have four children under 16, will retain the family’s main residence on the riverfront at Budds Beach property.

Mr Ell told The Gold Coast Bulletin it was a family-motivated decision.

“The kids are all rather sporting-minded and love the beach and the ocean,” Mr Ell said.

“This buy will enable them to burn off a bit of energy whenever they get restless and to perhaps lap up the surfing culture that’s synonymous with the Gold Coast.”

They recently offloaded their holiday home at Noosa for $9.6m to publican John Taylor, the owner of Victoria’s Grovedale Hotel, Barwon Heads Hotel and Torquay Hotel.

The Mermaid Beach home he recently acquired was built for racing industry figure and former realtor David Henderson and family. It was completed in 2012.

Set on the pricey Hedges Ave, the mansion was designed by Paul Uhlmann and is on one of the largest lots in the street at 1,215sq m with a 30-metre ocean frontage.

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It was sold for $16.5m in 2017 in a deal handled by the agency in which Mr Henderson previously was a principal, The Professionals Mermaid Beach.

The buyer, and the seller to the Ells, was Rosa Raso, wife of Sam Raso, whose Molendinar-based Austworld group makes high-end plumbing products and has six offices across the country.

Nat King and Amir Mian of Amir Prestige sold the home to Ell after the short listing with a $25 million asking price.

<h2>Queensland properties selling now:</h2>

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Beachfront trophy home in Mermaid Beach sells in three days to Bob Ell

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EXPERT OBSERVATION

With the advent of lower clearance rates, we are seeing more Melbourne auctions ending in a pass in.

A “pass in” occurs when the bidding at an auction does not reach the vendor’s reserve and, as such, the auctioneer having failed to illicit a high enough bid, passes the property in and according to the rules of the auction, must negotiate with the highest bidder first. 

If you have been to many auctions, you will probably have heard the auctioneer open up the auction with a “vendor bid”.

This is a bid, made by the auctioneer, on behalf of the vendor, quite often, to kick things off and get the bidding started.

But it is sometimes used by auctioneers to advance the bidding if they have only one bidder.

In other words, a bidder from the crowd bids $600,000 and nobody else says anything, so the auctioneer will bid $650,000 “Vendor Bid” and then ask the original bidder to go over the top. 

Now the auctioneer will say things like, only the top bidder gets the lawful right of first negotiation and as the Vendor Bid is the highest, then nobody has this right.

This is totally incorrect and a total lie.

The highest “real bid” from the audience does have the first right to negotiate with the vendor. 

In both 2012 and again in 2016 the Real Estate Institute of Victoria analysed the rules and publicly acknowledged that if a genuine bid had been made, that no vendor bid could be used to remove the right to first negotiation. 

<a href="https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/buying-and-selling-property/selling-property/selling-property-by-auction" target="_blank">Consumer Affairs Victoria </a>have also addressed this exact situation and on their website has said that the highest bidder has the first right too negotiate with the vendor.

This includes if the property is passed in on a vendor bid.

So, if you are bidding anywhere in Victoria on Saturday and you have the highest bid, and the auctioneer tries to remove your right of first negotiation by continually vendor bidding over you, call him out.

If you are the highest “real” bid you do have the first right to negotiate ahead of anyone else.

Ian James is a director at JPP Buyer Advocates

<h2>Recently listed properties in Melbourne:</h2>

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Don't get fooled by a vendor bid, Victorian bidders have rights: Ian James

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The focus of attention in the Central Coast Region market now seems to be on recovery and future planning, according to the July Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 

The valuation firm took a look at how a budget of $700,000 could be invested in property markets across the nation. 

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NSW Central Coast Region Coronavirus Update
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The report notes in line with many regions, there have been little reports of new cases of COVID-19 for some time.

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For many, life seems to be returning to normal. The tourist and visitor centres of Terrigal, The Entrance and Ettalong Beach have been busy for the past several weekends as crowds return.

"Recovery will be as big a challenge as the restrictions and lockdowns themselves. Looking around, a number of businesses have suffered terribly and some have closed. But confidence is returning. 

"Tempering this new confidence, our health professionals are reminding us that we may not have seen the end of this with a second wave likely," the valuation firm said. 
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What will a lazy $700,000 buy in the Central Coast region of New South Wales

A quick snapshot of some suburbs where investing $700k seems to be a good idea, the report noted. 

Wadalba – a newish and still developing suburb located towards the northern end of the region with plenty of schools, shops and easy access to the M1 Motorway.

A typical new project style dwelling, single level with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and double garage, recently sold for $690,000. 

"With slightly older two-storey options available for similar prices, we consider these to represent good value for first home buyers and growing families finding the area to their liking," the valuation firm said. 

Values have remained static overall over the year, so buying for quick financial gain isn’t great and returns are estimated at around the 4.5 to five per cent mark which is acceptable. Comparable suburbs to Wadalba include Hamlyn Terrace and Woongarrah, the report noted. 

A four bedroom, two bathroom home in Wadalba has recently been sold for $591,500. 

The single level home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-wadalba-133071962" target="_blank">7 Voyager Street </a>(pictured below) comes with expansive kitchen, dining area, lounge room, four bedrooms and fully fenced yard. 

It is located close to schools, supermarkets and parks. 

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The Entrance – one of the region’s older suburbs which sits between the ocean and lake. It is the day tripper and visitor centre at the northern end of our region, the report noted. 

Although there is a large permanent and long term occupant population (renters account for approximately 60 per cent of the area’s occupants), the area is very popular with the weekender market.

Units prevail in the town centre due to the ocean and lake views, shops and beach.

"We note that $700,000 can buy a two- bedroom unit with views within the town centre. But $700,000 is heading towards the higher end of unit values at The Entrance and we feel the more attractive options would be in the $350,000 to $400,000 price range for older units with lesser views," the valuation firm said. 

This price range has been more consistent in terms of price stability and returns which seem to be around the 4.5 per cent mark on a permanent occupancy basis.
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Bateau Bay – another of the region’s more established suburbs. The Entrance runs through the suburb thus creating two distinct markets.

The eastern (ocean) side is generally the more expensive option. If $700,000 is the marker, then good value on the no less popular western side of The Entrance Road is available. 

Generally older style but well established and accessorised property is the norm. 

An 80’s style, large, four- bedroom, single level dwelling with two bathrooms and double garage has just sold for $710,000 and a renovated 80’s style four-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling with inground pool and off street parking recently sold for $685,000. These represent good value for those aspiring to live in Bateau Bay, the report noted. 

Terrigal – some would suggest that only good things happen at Terrigal and if price point is the gauge, there may be some foundation to this. 

$700,000 will likely secure an old style, rundown dwelling or perhaps a two- or three-bedroom unit or townhouse away from the town centre. 

"You might however get a vacant block of land with a little change left over – but you will need to be quick," the valuation firm said. 

Next door Wamberal shares these same qualities, with Erina to the west being not far behind, the report noted. 

A current listing is a one bedroom apartment in Terrigal priced at $699,000.

The contemporary apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-terrigal-133757722" target="_blank">3/10 Pine Tree Lane</a> (pictured below) comprises large bedroom, study, open plan lounge and dining area, and garage. 

It is set in a boutique complex, only metres walk to cafes, restaurants and Terrigal Beach. 

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Point Clare – sitting on the western shores of Brisbane Waters, this is an older and established location with just a short drive to meet up with the M1 Motorway. 

"Surprisingly, Point Clare has never been an area at the top of mind. We don’t know why, because there are a number of properties that can be purchased for less than $700,000," the valuation firm said. 

An 80’s style, slightly compact, four-bedder with single garage, landscaping and inground pool recently sold for $680,000.

While the median value across the region has fallen just a little over the past year, Point Clare has actually increased – just a little.

The area is predominantly owner-occupied with returns estimated to be around the 4.5 per cent mark.
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Umina Beach – located towards the southern end of the region, Umina Beach, Woy Woy and Ettalong Beach enjoyed better than average value increases, but since September 2018, the median value has steadily declined and is approximately ten per cent lower. 

Rentals account for around 30 per cent of properties in Umina Beach with the remainder being owner-occupied. Due to the high number of second dwellings in Umina Beach, we tend to think there is a hybrid factor going on here with owners remaining in their dwellings while renting out the second dwelling.

In value terms, there are still a lot of properties being sold under or around the $700,000 mark. 

A renovated three-bedroom, one-bathroom dwelling with plenty of undercover parking recently sold for $700,000 whilst a similar dwelling, but minus the parking sold for $670,000.

Older, more basic dwellings with the potential to add a second dwelling are selling for similar prices, the report noted. 
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The focus of attention now seems to be on recovery and future planning.

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What a lazy $700,000 can buy in NSW Central Coast Region: HTW residential  

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Rental yields in Sydney have been on the decline over the past decade, as rents have failed to keep pace with increasing property prices, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report. 

The valuation firm took a look at yields across the country and dissect where to find the best returns in residential markets.

According to SQM research, average yields for houses in Sydney fell from 3.7% in August 2009 to 2.8% in August 2019, while units fell from 4.9% to 3.7% over the same period.

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The HTW report notes while prices were rising, investors were happy for the capital growth to offset the declining rental yields.

<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/10/9/sydney%20yield%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 

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Source: data from SQM Research

"Unfortunately as prices began to fall over the past two years, rental yields did not climb as expected, as increasing rental vacancies put downward pressure on asking rents," the valuation firm said. 

"Obviously Sydney is a large city and rental yields will differ across its many regions.

"So which regions are currently providing the best average yields? For houses, the Lower North Shore has the highest average yield at 3.5%, while south-western Sydney and western Sydney enjoy a 3.3% yield.

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"On the unit side, the CBD is the clear winner for average rental yield at 4.4%, while the Hills Districts, south- western Sydney and western Sydney were at 4.1%," the valuation firm added. 

With yields at 10-year lows across most parts of Sydney, investors are looking at alternatives to the standard house or unit to help improve their potential yields, HTW noted.
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What are the Sydney suburbs with the highest residential rental yields: HTW 

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Wilderness Island, an island off the coast of Exmouth in Western Australia, remains for sale with mid $1 million hopes. 

It is currently the home of an eco-tourism business, Wilderness Island Safari Holidays, which has been operating for the past 14 years.

<img alt="" src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/7/30/Wilderness%20Island%202.JPG">

It costs between $635 and $700 a day to live on the island. To rent out the whole island it costs $3,000 a day.

The island is located on the eastern side of the Exmouth Gulf, an hour by boat or 10 minutes by plane. It sits adjacent to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.

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Spanning two hectares, the island has a main lodge, six stand alone cabins all with en-suites, a workshop, desalination plant, moorings for three vessels and a 700 metre dirt airstrip.

Western Australia Sotheby's agent Neil McAllister has the listing.
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