Seaford auction frenzy: Three homes, $1.879m sold, all snapped up by first-home buyers in high-stakes triple sale

Three Seaford homes at 1-3/83 East Road sold under the hammer to first-home buyers, drawing a 180-strong crowd and fierce bidding at a standout triple auction.

There were tears, cheers and a $500 heartbreak as three Seaford homes went under the hammer in a row, and all sold to first-home buyers.

The triple auction of 1, 2 and 3/83 East Rd delivered a combined $1.879m result, with the three homes selling for $628,000, $580,000 and $671,000 respectively.

Ray White Chelsea director Shane O’Sughrue said the crowd of about 180 created one of the liveliest auction days he’d seen in months, with five to six bidders competing on each property and one buyer narrowly missing out by just $500.

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“There was a lot of emotion,” Mr O’Sughrue said.

“One bidder lost by $500 and was gutted.

“One of the vendors actually cried, she was so overwhelmed.”

The homes, a three-bedroom renovator, a modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit, and a rear three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse, were all sold by the same owner, who was looking to fund a new business venture.

The three-bedroom renovator at 1/83 East Rd, Seaford, sold for $628,000 to a first-home buyer after strong interest at auction.
Featuring timber floors and a generous backyard, Unit 1 offered renovation potential just 2km from Seaford Beach.
The original-condition home attracted multiple bidders thanks to its affordability and proximity to local schools and wetlands.

“We were thrilled, of course, but it was bittersweet too,” the vendor said.

“You could see how much it meant to everyone.

“We’ve been in their shoes, and seeing three young first-home buyers walk away with the keys was really special. A real full-circle moment.”

The vendor said the properties were held as long-term investments and the sales came together quickly, with no major upgrades beyond ensuring they were clean and presentable.

This modern two-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 2/83 East Rd fetched $580,000 and was the first to sell under the hammer.
A stone island bench and stainless-steel appliances gave the kitchen at Unit 2 instant appeal among younger buyers

“We didn’t have time for any big renovation,” she said.

“We gave Shane a tight brief and just hoped for the best.”

All three homes are located just 2km from Seaford Beach and within walking distance of schools, wetlands, and two train stations, factors Mr O’Sughrue said helped fuel demand in the $600,000 range.

Unit 2’s sun-drenched deck and open-plan living zones proved popular with first-home buyers seeking low-maintenance coastal living.
The main suite at 2/83 East Rd included a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, features rarely found at this price point in Seaford.

“These weren’t luxury renos, but they were neat, coastal, and had outdoor space, and that’s exactly what first-home buyers are chasing right now,” he said.

The Ray White Chelsea director said buyer urgency had ramped up in recent weeks, with expectations of Tuesday’s interest rate cut adding to the sense of competition.

“There’s a definite shift, people aren’t overthinking it anymore,” Mr O’Sughrue said.

“If something is priced right and well-presented, it gets snapped up fast,” he said.

Unit 3’s double garage and established garden made it a standout option for first-home buyers after extra space and storage.
The rear three-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 3/83 East Rd sold for $671,000, the highest result of the day.

Mr O’Sughrue added that the under-$700,000 price bracket was now “the hottest part of the market” across Melbourne’s bayside fringe.

“When you’ve got three first-home buyers walking away with wins in one day, you know that segment is flying,” he said.

A private master retreat with its own deck and ensuite helped elevate 3/83 East Rd above price expectations.
Unit 3 impressed with its dual decked entertaining areas, stone kitchen, and spacious north-facing layout.

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Australian real estate: Should I sell my home in winter 2025

Winter may not have the best weather but it does have the least amount of listings.

While many sellers wait until spring to put their property on the market, there are benefits to selling in winter – just as long as you keep a few seasonal considerations in mind.

PROS AND CONS OF A WINTER SALE

It seems to be a general consensus among sellers that winter is not an ideal time to sell property. Data from Ray White shows that on average, Australia experiences a 7 per cent drop in property listings between May and June each year, based on market – wide records studied from 2022 to early 2025.

While there are a few warm climate areas that buck this trend (Darwin, Brisbane and Regional Queensland), the majority of capital cities and regional areas see a marked decrease in listings (-2 per cent nationally) during winter.

Ray White head of performance and recognition Bianca Denham. Picture: supplied

However, Ray White head of performance and recognition Bianca Denham says less listings means less competition for those who do decide to sell during the colder months.

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“If I was selling a property, I’d rather sell my home when there’s fewer other properties similar to mine because it gives buyers less choice,” she says. “Potentially it might give me a favourable pricing outcome because there’s less options.”

And while there may be less sellers during winter, there are always buyers to be found no matter what season it is.

“People don’t buy because the daffodils are out,” she says. “They buy because they got a promotion, they finished saving, they’re having a baby – all these other life events.”

Buyers will still attend auctions not matter what the weather.

Another benefit to selling in winter is that it enables you to showcase how cosy your home is, especially if you have a fireplace, says McGrath Hunters Hill director Tracey Dixon.

“Some of my properties over the years have lent themselves to that kind of environment,” she says.

However, the weather may not be on your side and gardens may not be looking their best, says Denham.

“If the weather is terrible you’ll have to contend with things like mud,” she says. “But one thing I know is if someone wants to buy a home they’ll be there – rain, hail or shine.”

Couple hugging home
A winter sale enables you to showcase the cosiness of your home.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Before listing in winter, make sure you think about the demographic of buyers and the type of property you are selling, Dixon says.

“People need to consider the unique nature of their property and what the benefits are for the potential purchasers,” she says. “Aspect is also a consideration. If you have a waterfront home that is south facing that’s going to be cold and windier in winter then it certainly wouldn’t be the ideal time to be selling.”

If you do list in winter, it’s best to go above and beyond to make it warm and inviting.

“People need to think about their heating systems, how they’re going to make their properties light and bright even though it might be less sunny,” Dixon says.

McGrath agent Tracey Dixon.

Denham says it’s important to give the garden a once over and freshen up the lawn.

“Make some considerations for people coming through. If the weather is going to be wet, it’s going to be muddy – put extra door mats out,” she says.

WINTER FORECAST

Denham says she expects this winter to “kick along quite nicely” now that the Federal election is over and more interest rate cuts seem likely.

“We’ve got stability of government, a strong focus on housing and affordability of housing – I think that’s only going to provide confidence to the market,” she says.

Based on her conversations with other agents across the country, Dixon says she expects to see strong activity from investors over the winter months.

Dixon expects to see more people invest in property over winter this year.

“From what we’re seeing across the board, people are getting back into looking at real estate as one of Australia’s greatest investment opportunities,” she says. “I think that’s going to really fuel the months between June, July, August this year.

“I think a lot of people are thinking they might get into the market before the market takes off again next time and that could be as early as later this year or it could be maybe 2026.

“I think all eyes are back on property throughout the country now. Everyone thinks this is the place to invest their money for the future.”

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First-home buyers flooding Adelaide property market

First-home buyers are out in force and well prepared to challenge their more experienced counterparts in Adelaide’s competitive market.

Industry experts say the city’s affordability, interest rate cuts – the latest taking the official cash rate to 3.85 per cent – as well as government incentives are fuelling them.

It comes as CBRE’s latest national survey of residential valuers reveals first-home buyers were most active in Adelaide and the ACT.

Ray White SA chief executive Matt Lindblom said affordability was a major factor.

“We’re seeing that properties in that $500,000 to $900,000 price bracket, a lot of first-home buyers are buying in that range,” he said.

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First-home buyers are most active in Adelaide and ACT, a CBRE survey reveals.

“The most competitive auctions and where we’ve got the highest clearance rates are in that bracket.

“You can still buy a two or three-bedroom property with reasonable proximity to Adelaide in that price range, and it will be a nice home.”

Mr Lindblom said unlike other cities, Adelaide’s more affordable northern and southern suburbs were still attracting strong interest because they were easily – and quickly – accessible from the city.

Falling interest rates and government incentives were also driving first-home buyers, he said.

In South Australia, those looking to buy a new build or off-the-plan apartment, a house and land package, or vacant land to build a new home could be eligible for the first home owner grant and stamp duty relief.

Ray White SA chief executive Matt Lindblom.

Mr Lindblom said the Federal Government’s first home guarantee scheme allowing buyers to purchase with a 5 per cent deposit was also enticing.

“First-home buyers are competitive, they’re prepared, they’re unconditional – they’re educated around what they need to do to get a property,” he said.

Real Estate Institute of South Australia chief executive Andrea Heading said while prices were rising across the state, first-home buyers were willing to pay fair prices.

“Vendors are seeing a good return but first-home buyers are feeling more confident in terms of what the expectation is,” she said.

Real Estate Institute of South Australia chief executive Andrea Heading.

“People have to remember first-home buyers aren’t a certain demographic, or young people, as well.”

Ms Heading said many were mature or have been long-time renters.

Meanwhile, she said more people were open to purchasing units and apartments before a house.

She encouraged those buying their first home to be realistic about price, “as in, what does an entry point look like for you?”

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Swimming golden girls Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus spill their secrets to success

Swimming golden girls Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus have shared the highs and lows of being an elite athlete at the two-day Australian Real Estate Conference (AREC).

Swimming golden girls Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus have shared the highs and lows of being an elite athlete.

The country’s gold medal winning Olympians addressed an audience of about 4000 at a real estate conference on the Gold Coast, and shared how they stay motivated while giving insights into handling high-pressure situations.

McKeon, who won a record 14 Olympic medals as well as five world championships, told the crowd at the two-day Australian Real Estate Conference (AREC) she didn’t rely on daily motivation to get her to training sessions throughout her swim career.

Starlight
Emma McKeon, at the Valley Pool in Brisbane. Photo: Adam Head
Starlight
Ariarne Titmus, at the Valley Pool in Brisbane. Photo: Adam Head

“Motivation is a feeling and it’s almost like an emotion, some days you’re happy and some days you’re not feeling it,” McKeon said.

“If I relied on feeling motivated I would not be remotely close to where I am today.

“I was always motivated for my goal and wanted it so badly that that’s what got me out of bed. “(It’s) knowing every decision you make is for your goal.”

Swimming golden girls Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus at the two-day Australian Real Estate Conference (AREC).

In an onstage interview with News Corp Australia’s Queensland Real Estate Editor Elizabeth Tilley, McKeon said goal setting was critical but stressed long-term goals needed to be broken down.

“With goal setting you do have to have the big image and for me it was to win Olympic gold,” McKeon said.

“You need to bring it back and set those daily, weekly and monthly goals to make it not so seem overwhelming.”

News Corp Australia’s Queensland Real Estate Editor Elizabeth Tilley interviewed Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus.

McKeon said she had an ability to “be present” while walking out to the blocks of big swimming races.

“Right before going out for a race or standing before the blocks would be my most present time in my whole life,” she said.

“That’s something I have worked on to get to that point.”

Swimming golden girls Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus on stage.

Titmus, a four-time Olympic gold medallist, shared how she hit peak performance in the pool.

“There’s a lot of people who are very good at things,” Titmus said.

“There’s also people who are champions in their field.

“The difference is a lot of people have goals in the forefront of their mind – you go to work, you go to training.

“But the champions of the world have an ability to have their goals follow them wherever they go and every decision they make is to help them achieve their goals.”

Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus shared the highs and lows of being an elite athlete.

Titmus shared she felt pure happiness when she won gold in the 2021 Toyko Olympics and knew she had given it her all during training.

“Having the opportunity and blessing to be able to race for an Olympic gold medal doesn’t come along very often,” Titmus said.

“To let that chance slip when it’s at your fingertips, if you make the conscious decision not to turn over every stone and put in all the work to stand behind the block and be as absolutely prepared as you can possibly be then you have to live with that decision if it doesn’t go your way.

QLD_CP_NEWS_ARIARNE_TITMUS_12MAY25
Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus spoke on the Gold Coast at real estate conference AREC. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I’ve always said to myself when I stand behind the block ‘if I were to get beaten today that’s okay as I’ve done everything I possibly can, they are just better than me today’.

“I’ve always prepared myself knowing that I’m the best of myself out there and hopefully that’s the best in the world.”

AREC attracted real estate agents from across the nation, with headliner former US Vice President Kamala Harris appearing live in her first speaking engagement in Australia.

She joined 32 speakers at the event, including Buying in Beverly Hills star Mauricio Umansky, entrepreneur Steven Bartlett and sports coach and mentor Tim Grover.

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Buyer plans to reboot abandoned Salvos crisis accommodation hub in Belmont

The State Government has sold 2A Settlement Rd, Belmont, for $2.08m.

An abandoned former Salvation Army crisis accommodation hub will soon be helping Geelong’s most vulnerable again after selling to a mental health service provider.

The unnamed organisation has secured the 3810sq m site at 2A Settlement Rd, Belmont, from the State Government in a $2.08m deal.

Whitford Troost, Newtown listing agent Frank Troost said the buyer was keen to start renovating existing buildings with a view to offering respite and other services.

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The former motel turned Salvation Army hub has sat empty for the past five years.

The Salvos previously offered emergency housing in 14 units at the property, which was once the Barwon Valley Manor Motel and Function Centre.

But the units and a substantial two-storey office building have sat vacant since the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020 when the doors were closed due to concerns about occupants sharing communal kitchen facilities.

Mr Troost said the existing infrastructure, though vandalised, appealed to a range of community and church groups, with seven parties submitting 11 different expressions of interest.

“We got a lot of inquiry as you would imagine and it was across a broad spectrum of community groups, charitable organisations, religious and even accommodation places to escape,” he said.

“Of course the challenge was what the cost of the renovation was going to be.

The accommodation units are in need of renovation.
Many “good causes” were keen to tap into the site’s potential.

“We thought we would probably lean towards more a redevelopment site but part of site is subject to flooding and that seems to turn away developers so it came from these real community groups.

“The eventual purchaser was someone who provides mental health services through the NDIS so they will do essentially what was done previously. They’ll do respite accommodation there and they will also run several other services from that space once they renovate.”

He said the bones of the building were good, despite vandalism such as holes kicked in internal walls and wiring ripped out.

He estimated it would take a good 12 months to get the facilities back up to scratch.

The former function centre turned administration building is currently configured as 12 offices, both communal and commercial kitchens, two reception areas and a large reception hall/function area.

There’s also a double garage and double carport on the site, which is zone neighbourhood residential.

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Sold in 10 days: New price guide finds buyer for grand Corio home

159-161 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Corio has sold to a Melbourne investor.

A grand Tudor-style Corio home designed by the architects behind Geelong’s Dalgety woolstores has sold at the second attempt for $300,000 lower than when it last went under contract.

The five-bedroom home at 159-163 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Corio, was snapped up for $1.4m after 10 days on the market, after it was relisted with $1.3m to $1.4m price hopes.

The home had changed hands only twice since being built in 1931, last trading for $10,500 in 1978.

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The historic house sits among lush private gardens on a huge corner block covering two titles.

Buchan, one of Australia’s oldest architecture firms, originally designed the two-storey house for the Lowrey family, who acquired the surrounding land in the 1870s.

The character-filled interior still displays exposed Australian red cedar beams, polished Tasmanian oak hardwood floors and a grand entrance foyer dressed with vintage 1920s lighting.

While the large kitchen/meals area was updated with Corian benchtops, custom timber cabinetry and integrated appliances, there’s an old world charm to the stately lounge and dining rooms where a bay window and brick fireplaces feature.

Even the bathroom has beautiful stained glass detail.

The home was initially listed last September with $1.5m to $1.65m price hopes.

Cotality records show contracts were signed for a $1.7m transaction in December that ultimately fell through.

The formal lounge displays Tudor style timber detail.
The spacious kitchen has been updated with Corian benchtops and timber cabinetry.
A corner open fireplace warms the formal dining room.

Price expectations were subsequently edged back to $1.37m to $1.5m in search of landing a buyer.

The median house price in the northern suburb is $490,000, while the top price is $1.5m for a 4033sq m Matthews Rd property with a five-bedroom residence.

Barry Plant South Barwon director Chari Emirzade handled the campaign to sell the 1778sq m property, which started with a new price guide, but also a tweaked sale strategy to widen the potential buyer pool.

A General Residential Zone Schedule 4 zoning is designed for increased housing diversity, but the site could also be suitable for other commercial uses.

“We sat down and had a look at why the property hasn’t sold and what kind of buyers they were trying to get,” Mr Emirzade said.

“I think the missing puzzle piece was not mentioning the zoning. We came up with a different way to showcase the design and what they can do to add more value to the property in different ways.

“It’s suitable for a kindergarten, it’s suitable for a drive-through business. You can use multiple purposes.”

Mr Emirzade said the buyer was a Melbourne-based investor.

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Californian bungalow in Newport sells post-auction after two buyers face off for keys

A young family won the keys to this renovated Californian Bungalow at 15 Steele St, Newport, after a two-way post-auction negotiation.

A young family has snapped up a renovated Newport home for $10,000 above the top of its price guide after a two-way bidding war that saw the home passed in and sold within minutes.

The four-bedroom Californian bungalow at 15 Steele St was listed with a $1.19m-$1.26m price guide and ultimately sold for $1.27m after negotiations with the leading bidder post-auction.

The Agency’s Leigh Melbourne said while four or five parties had contracts in hand, just two families actively competed for the home, one from Melbourne’s western suburbs and another from regional Victoria hoping to buy a base for their adult children in the city.

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“We opened with a vendor bid at $1.2m and it passed in at $1.25m, but there was a really positive feel in the crowd of about 50, and we got it done soon after,” Mr Melbourne said.

The winning bidders, a young family, whom Mr Melbourne said had been drawn to the home’s flexible floor plan, spacious backyard and walking distance to Mason St, Newport Station and local schools.

“It’s in a really tightly held pocket of Newport. Sacred Heart Primary is literally at the end of the street, and Newport Lakes Primary backs onto the property. That school zone access was a huge driver,” he said.

Blending modern functionality with classic character, the kitchen features stainless-steel appliances and a striking brick fireplace surround.

The family-friendly backyard includes a cubby house and paved entertaining zones, perfect for kids and weekend relaxation.

The Agency agent said the result reflected a market still performing well under $1.3m, with changes to super tax rules and stamp duty encouraging some landlords to offload.

“There’s healthy stock in the early-to-low $1m range right now, and that’s opening doors for more first-home buyers and young families to get in,” Mr Melbourne said.

He added that this week’s Reserve Bank rate cut had already started lifting buyer activity.

Sunlit open-plan living connects directly to the garden, with timber floors and seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

The main bathroom combines vintage charm with bay windows and period-style finishes, true to the home’s Californian Bungalow roots.

“We’ve noticed an uptick in midweek open numbers. Buyers are cautiously optimistic — some are making moves now on the chance rates will be even lower by settlement in 90 days,” he said.

The double-storey home blends period charm with modern convenience and includes a separate parents’ retreat upstairs with its own ensuite and balcony, plus an undercover deck, backyard cubbyhouse and open-plan living zones.

Leafy street appeal and traditional lines define the façade of this Newport home, moments from schools, parks and Newport Station.

One of four bedrooms, this ground-level room offers natural light, polished floors and flexible family appeal.

Mr Melbourne said the buyers could move in immediately or update further down the line.

“It’s one of those homes that gives you lifestyle and potential in one hit,” he said.

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We earn $200k and live free on cruise ship

Christine Kesteloo lives aboard Holland America Line cruise ships.

A woman who works and lives aboard cruise ships with her husband has revealed how she enjoyed free food and accommodation every day for more than a decade.

Christine Kesteloo worked as a cruise director for many years and currently lives aboard ships run by Holland America Line where her husband is a chief engineer.

Average salaries for cruise directors are about $100,000 while chief engineers can earn in excess of $200,000, bringing their combined annual income when both were working at the same time to $300,000.

Not a bad income for a couple who don’t pay for food and accommodation aboard the ships they work.

Kestaloo has more than 1 million followers on TikTok where she shares her cruising experiences.

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She was a cruise director for many years but now travels as the spouse of a crew member.

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She enjoys the privileges of both a guest and crew but says there are several rules she has to follow despite living the high life at sea.

“I am not allowed to sit at a slot machine and play my heart until I win because it would look a little weird if I, as the wife of the chief staff engineer, won like a big jackpot. So I am not allowed to gamble on the ship,” she said in one video.

In a separate video Kestaloo also claimed she wasn’t allowed to win bingo.

“It is sea day and we are off to play bingo with our group,” she said.

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“Mother, have you won bingo yet? No because you’re not allowed to win bingo. Because she’s my mum she can’t win the prizes.”

Kestaloo accesses her free food and accommodation because crew members’ spouses stay for free.

She also receives a 50 per cent discount on extras such as drinks, shops, and spas..

Kestaloo does have some official duties despite being a guest, routinely hosting guests at dinner.

”This is my table for the night that I am hosting,” she said. “And I am so excited because the Parmesan-crusted chicken breast is on the menu. With the honey-mustard sauce … so good,” she said in a recent video.

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Her favourite meal is parmesan-crusted chicken breast.

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“It did look pretty … with mash potatoes of course.

“By the way on the Holland America Line ships this honey-mustard chicken meal, when it comes out, is my favourite.”

Despite have access to all the ship’s leisure activities, Kestaloo said she also tried to make space for holiday guests whenever possible.

“If the pool is packed, I make sure to get off and give the guests a seat, it’s just the right thing to do,” she said.

Kestaloo enjoys the perks of guests and crew.

“I totally understand how to give guest the best time and I don’t think a crew member taking their seat is the right thing to do.”

Kestaloo said living abord the cruise ship was like being “on vacation every day”.

“Every day, I’m in a new place and my biggest decisions are whether I want to go to teatime, lie in the sun, or do a wine tasting,” she said.

“When the pandemic hit in 2020, I lost my job because of organisational shifts. Now, I sail with my husband as a ‘wife on board,’ also known as a WOB. When we aren’t living on a cruise ship, we call Vlissingen, Netherlands, home.”

Kestaloo isn’t alone when it comes to living aboad cruise ships, although others are actually aiming to beat the cost of living crisis by selling their home and hitting the high seas.

One US woman went as far as buying a $2.9 million apartment on a bespoke residential cruise ship.

Others choose to cruise-hop by securing deal after deal on conventional holiday cruise ships.

Another woman, also from the US, has detailed how she lives aboard cruise ships full-time for as little as $3350 a month.

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English lord responds to son’s $177 million inheritance

Why dad cut son out of $177m estate. Picture: YouTube/Redditch Standard; Ragley Estate

An English lord has blocked his eldest son from taking over the family’s £85 million ($A177 million) estate because of his “lack of achievement”.

The Earl of Yarmouth, William Seymour, was left out of the fortune after a fallout, The Sun reports.

According to the BBC, the 31-year-old took his parents and three siblings to court over the estate, which included the 400-year-old family seat Ragley Hall, in Warwickshire.

Lord Yarmouth asked for the two trust corporations to be removed as trustees and replaced with an independent one.

Lord and Lady Hertford, along with Lord Yarmouth’s siblings – Lady Gabriella Seymour, Lord Edward Seymour and Lady Antonia Seymour opposed the legal claim.

The three settlements which consist of the estate, including farmland, residential properties and woodland, are valued at around £45 million ($A93 million).

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William Seymour claimed his family didn’t approve of his wife Kelsey. Picture: YouTube/Redditch Standard

The Seymour family seat at Ragley Estate includes a 110-room mansion. Picture: Ragley Estate

The court heard that while William held a “very earnest belief” that the trustees failed in their duties in the way Ragley was run, it was unfounded.

In his ruling, Judge James Brightwell said he accepted the “damaged and fractured” relationship between Lord Yarmouth and his parents and siblings was “poor”.

The judge added the bad relationship between William and his parents wasn’t enough to remove the trustees.

Ragley estate, which is 6,500-acres, includes a 110-room mansion, farms, a sprawling woods, and hundreds of acres of parkland.

It has been in the Seymour Family for about 400 years, and has connections to Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife.

Lord Hertford said he was disappointed in his son’s “lack of achievement”. Picture: Instagram/ragleyestate

The Earl of Yarmouth has been embroiled in the public spat with his family since 2018.

The aristocrat complained that his parents had led him to believe he would take over the running of the estate when he turned 30.

William also claimed his parents weren’t happy he wanted to marry former Goldman Sachs banker Lady Yarmouth, Kelsey Wells.

The court previously heard that William, who was worth £4 million at 21, had not been interested in the estate until he met his wife Kelsey.

After their marriage, William began complaining about how the estate was being run and argued his wife was being shown “disrespect” for not being invited to the trustee meeting.

His father, Lord Hertford, told the court he had planned for his son to take over the estate but changed his mind – believing he was no longer “appropriate” for the job.

He said William and Kelsey marrying was not the “main reason” for the decision, but rather his son’s “lack of achievement”.

In evidence, he said: “I am proud of the fact that he went to college but made a mistake at university and didn’t graduate.

“William has not followed a profession or obtained qualifications or experience to take over the running of Ragley Hall.”

The aristocrat complained that his parents had led him to believe he would take over the running of the estate when he turned 30. Picture: Instagram/bizsuccessmaguk

The judge ruled that Lord and Lady Hertford had obviously shown “deep antagonism” towards their daughter-in-law.

However, the judge said that the son’s dispute as to the way Ragley is run was not well-founded.

“The fact that the claimant has a very earnest belief that the trustees have failed in their duties or should have acted differently, in an unspecified way, is no sufficient basis for a finding that they have so failed in their duties,” the judge added.

Parts of this story first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.

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Help to Buy: Inside the scheme that promises to make you a homeowner

The Help to Buy scheme’s higher income and property price caps have been largely welcomed by property industry leaders, but do they reflect a realistic picture of what first homebuyers face in achieving home ownership in Australia’s capitals?

The $10,000 cap increase and updated thresholds – announced in March ahead of the federal election – are more in line with local market conditions and have the potential to significantly broaden access to the market.

The scheme is set to provide an easier pathway into the property market for 10,000 people each year, whereby the federal government makes contributions of up to 40%, while prospective buyers will only need a 2% deposit.

“Many aspiring buyers today earn above previous eligibility thresholds but still cannot accumulate a deposit or secure a sufficient loan due to high property prices and borrowing constraints,” says Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia chief executive Anja Pannek.

Prior to the government’s changes to the scheme in March, individuals had to earn less than $90,000 to be eligible for a subsidised entry into the market; this cap has now been increased by $10,000.

The increase now means Australians aged 18 and over who do not own property in Australia or overseas are eligible to enter the market with a deposit of just 2%, providing their income is less than $100,000 per year.

The threshold for couples has increased from $120,000 to $160,000, while single parents are assessed against the $160,000 joint applicant cap.

New price caps on offer

New property price caps linked to average house prices across each state and territory are set to broaden buyers’ range of choice.

In Sydney and other regional centres of New South Wales, the cap is $1,300,000, while the price cap for Melbourne is $950,000.

Home buyers in Brisbane and the Australian Capital Territory have a new cap of $1,000,000. Adelaide’s new cap sits at $900,000, while Perth’s is an $850,000 cap.

Housing Industry Association managing director Jocelyn Martin welcomed the revised property price caps as adequate.

“They’ve got to balance the caps with people’s capacity to borrow, there is no sense in raising the cap because the market says so,” she explains.

“In Sydney for instance, where the cap is $1.3 million. I would be surprised that cap would actually get much at all.

“I think the caps in Brisbane, I think its $1 million and I think that probably does allow people some choice, and is about the right amount of money for the scheme.”

The cap of $1,000,000 in Brisbane is an attractive offer against the average home price of $882,000. Picture: Getty

A balance of supply and demand

Real Estate Institute of Australia president Leanne Pilkington says the institute supports the scheme but is mindful that initiatives designed to increase buyer demand potentially will have an impact on property prices.

“We really need to be focusing on supply at the same time,” she says. “It’s a hard balance for the government but we’re definitely supportive of anything that is home buyer centric.”

As to whether the 40,000 places on offer within the scheme across a four-year period will be sufficient, Ms Pilkington said the program should be assessed often.

“They need to have a look at the take up, who it is that’s taking it up, who’s not and why not?” she says. “If there is more demand than they need to look at what they can do.”

Meanwhile, Ms Pannek acknowledged 10,000 places was a welcome start.

“It’s important to note that Help to Buy is one of several schemes currently available at the state and federal level – including the long-running Home Guarantee Scheme (HSG) – and its effectiveness will be shaped by how it complements or overlaps with these programs,” she adds.

In the case of past federal home buying schemes, such as the HGS, its popularity meant that further places had been progressively added.

“While it remains to be seen if this will be the case with Help to Buy, there’s no doubt demand will shape place numbers in future years,” Ms Pannek says.

A welcome homebuyer initiative

Ms Martin says while she welcomed any initiative which supported first homebuyers, Help to Buy – which has yet to really come into effect – was probably one of the more complex options.

 “I think you’ve got to look at it as part of the suite of all the options for first homebuyers,” she notes.

“I think it will suit a small cohort of people. It will also help people that would have a very low deposit… so it really is a very specific cohort of people who probably have never, ever entertained home ownership in the past.”

Concerns have been raised by industry professionals around what happens to properties once they are sold. Picture: Getty

However, Ms Martin explains there are aspects of the scheme that were still uncertain, for example, such as what happened when the property was later sold.

“I know that the simple answer is that the equity contribution gets paid down when the property is sold,” she says.

However, more detailed answers around insurances and what happened if a couple who buy a home using the scheme break up, needed more explanation.

Ms Pannek adds while the scheme was not yet operational and enabling legislation had only been passed in Queensland, the re-election of the federal labor government provided certainty on Help to Buy’s future.

“The MFAA will be working closely with the Government and Housing Australia – Australia’s national housing agency and the administrator of the scheme – on rolling Help to Buy out nationally,” she confirms.

Applications for the Help to Buy scheme are expected to open later this year.

This article first appeared on Mortgage Choice and has been republished with permission.

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