A handful of lucky vendors have scored jaw dropping results at auction on what was otherwise a subdued weekend of activity across Sydney. Agents revealed that expectations of prolonged higher interest rates, plus uncertainty over the prospect of another rise in the middle of the year, sucked much of the urgency out of the market. With buyers becoming increasingly reluctant to splurge on property, some vendors pulled the plug on their auctions and turned them into private sales rather than face the prospect of their homes passing in. Certain categories of real estate sales have also become more ..read more

King Charles and Prince Andrew go to war over 30-room mansion. King Charles has reportedly threatened to cut ties completely with Prince Andrew as the disgraced duke refuses to leave Royal Lodge for his new home in Frogmore Cottage. According to The Sun, the 75-year-old monarch has turned up the heat on his brother, warning life will become “uncomfortable” if he refuses to quit his 30-room mansion, which he shares with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson. The King has redoubled efforts this year to evict his scandal-ridden sibling with insiders branding the stand-off the “siege of Royal Lodge”. Palac ..read more

Donald Trump sells private jet amid legal woes. Picture: Vivaldi/Wikimedia Commons; Adam Gray / AFP Former US president Donald Trump’s company has offloaded one of his prized private jets in the wake of nearly $750m in legal judgments this year. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records show that the registration of the plane, a 1997 Cessna jet, was transferred from Trump Organisation’s DT Air Corp to a Texas-based entity called MM Fleet Holdings LLC on May 13, public records obtained by the Daily Beast reveal. The plane is said to be valued at around $US10 million ($A15 million), accord ..read more

Jerry Seinfeld homes. Pictures: Realtor.com Jerry Seinfeld is one of the world’s most famous comedians and reportedly might now be a billionaire, too. The hilarious star got his start in prime time with the hit series “Seinfeld,” alongside pal and fellow funnyman Larry David. The duo also reunited in the most recent finale of David’s long-running comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. Famously known as “the show about nothing,” the sitcom ran from 1989 to 1998 but remains hugely popular today. It has racked up 10 Emmy Awards and featured a long list of famous (and future-famous) guest stars, includi ..read more

The view from 108/130 Esplanade, Darwin City. Picture: Supplied A city apartment with stunning ocean and sunset views is on the market in Darwin. The three-bedroom property at 108/130 Esplanade, Darwin City, is in a premium building and has sweeping views across the Esplanade, Darwin Harbour and the city. Selling agent Michael Van De Graaf, of Real Estate Central, said the unit had an expansive layout as spacious as a traditional house but with the luxury of a vista that will never be built out. “With this property you have the day and night time views,” he said. “You can watch the cruise sh ..read more

Sandra and Alan Parker with grandchildren Summer, Zabier and Kai O’Reilly. Picture: John Gass FORGET downsizing – grandparents Alan and Sandra Parker are eyeing their next project after transforming a dated property into a modern beachside home. The energetic couple, both in their 70s, have been building and renovating houses for 50 years. Their latest Burleigh Waters project was particularly significant, being their first Queensland home after relocating from Tasmania to be near daughter, Karina, and three grandchildren, Kai, 12, Zabier, 9, and Summer O’Reilly, 7. The project was their fir ..read more

Beach House’s pet concierge Phoebe Girotto, with furry pals Fred and Nahla, inside the St Kilda complex’s bowling alley and sports bar which is nearing completion. Picture: Jason Edwards A new St Kilda apartment complex is taking the lead in luxury living for discerning dogs with a pet spa and concierge, plus a bowling alley for their humans. Developer Gurner and Melbourne-based real estate investment company Qualitas’ GQ Build-to-Rent platform will this month open the door to almost 300 one, two and three bedroom homes, plus penthouses, at the Wellington St project named Beach House. And fu ..read more

When the Careys took on an unrenovated 1920s cottage 22 years ago, they had no idea just how hot the Brisbane property market would become – or their ‘well-kept secret’ suburb. “The Kalinga/Wooloowin area is a really well kept secret with many people not leaving the area (for years),” said Margaret Carey, who has lived in two Queenslanders she and husband Robert have renovated in the area over a 27-year period. Now multiple renovations and three children later, they are ready to downsize out of a Queenslander they turned into a stunning six bedroom home complete with pool and entertainment zon ..read more

Brisbane is now Australia’s second-most expensive city after surging home price growth in the Queensland capital pushed prices to new record highs. Property prices climbed further across the country in May, the PropTrack Home Price Index shows, with Australia’s median home value rising another 0.3% over the month to a new record high. Home values rose in six of the capital cities during May, while four cities — Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide — set new price records. The data shows there has been a reshuffle in the rankings of the capitals, with Brisbane now tied with Canberra as the nat ..read more

The PropTrack Home Price Index shows national home prices lifted 0.30% to hit a new record in May, bringing prices up 2.73% year-to-date. With housing supply unable to meet demand, national home prices have cycled through 17 consecutive months of growth to hit a fresh peak in May. Prices are now 6.68% above May 2023 levels and up 9.58% from their December 2022 low. Despite a rise in the number of homes for sale this year, strong population growth, tight rental markets, and home equity gains continue to bolster strong demand. Meanwhile, building activity remains challenged by capacity constrain ..read more