Cedar Woods has officially broken ground on its latest residential development in Brisbane’s inner north, marking the launch of its first apartment collection at Greville following the successful sellout of two townhome releases.

Vera, a collection of 58 luxury apartments across six storeys, is the first of three apartment buildings planned within the masterplanned community in Wooloowin.

Cedar Woods development director Blair Britton said Vera offered a selection of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with some offering views over the 4000sq m parkland, while others boasted stunning city vistas.

“We are thrilled to reach this significant milestone at Greville and are excited to deliver the first apartments within our masterplan,” he said.

Cedar Woods marks the launch of Vera, its first apartment collection in Wooloowin with a collection of 58 luxury apartments across six storeys.

“Vera’s curated collection of residences, designed by leading architecture firm Rothelowman, represents a premium offering in the area. It features resort-style amenities that enhance the exceptional lifestyle on offer.

“With floorplans ranging from 78sq m to 122sq m, Vera caters to a range of buyers. Residents will have exclusive access to rooftop amenities, featuring a pool, barbecue and dining area and outdoor lounge area complete with a fire pit offering incredible city views.

“Greville is quickly becoming a sought-after urban lifestyle precinct, with both new and established amenities, as well as convenient access to retail and transport, all contributing to a vibrant community.”

Marchant ward councillor Danita Parry said the addition of Vera at the Greville masterplan would inject much-needed housing supply into Brisbane’s inner north.

Vera is the first of three apartment buildings planned within the masterplanned community, and offers a selection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

“Brisbane is one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities and projects like this help address the critical housing demand in our area,” she said.

Cedar Woods has appointed Emacen Projects to deliver Vera.

Mr Britton said the Brisbane-based builder would contribute to the ongoing activity on the 3.5ha site, with the first townhome collection completed and settled in late 2024, and construction on the second townhome collection nearing completion.

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Emacen on the delivery of Vera,” he said.

Residents will have exclusive access to rooftop amenities featuring a pool, barbecue and dining area, plus an outdoor lounge area complete with a fire pit and offering impressive city views.

Emacen Projects executive director Mark Spry said his team’s extensive experience in residential projects within Brisbane would contribute to the success of Vera and the broader Greville masterplan.

“What excites us about Vera and the Greville masterplan is the high calibre of consultants and contractors already involved with the project, and Cedar Woods’ experience and deep understanding of the construction process,” he said.

“We have commenced early works on site and based on the current works program; our team will be completing construction in early 2027.”

Located 5km north of Brisbane’s CBD, Greville will evolve over the next five years, delivering 84 townhomes, more than 200 apartments across three buildings, and a collection of heritage homes within the historic Holy Cross laundry building, originally constructed in the 1800s.

With 50 per cent of Vera’s apartments under contract, the remaining residences are priced from $874,000.

Greville’s first residents already have access to numerous community amenities, including a recreation area with a pool, barbecues, outdoor dining, and the 4000sq m Greville Park, which opened in 2023.

Following a coming soon campaign, 50 per cent of Vera’s apartments are already under contract. Remaining apartments are priced from $874,000.

GREVILLE

Address: 12 Chalk St, Wooloowin

Features: Historical site will evolve over the next five years to deliver 84 townhouses,

more than 200 apartments across three buildings, and a collection of heritage homes. Apartments priced from $874,000.

Sales centre: On site; Saturday and Sunday: 10am-2pm; Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 10am-4pm. Tel: 0482 163 869

More info:grevillewooloowin.com.au

The post Vera unveiling sees milestone achieved at Greville appeared first on realestate.com.au.

With more homes to choose from, purchase loan applications were up 18 percent from a year ago last week as buyers forged ahead despite economic uncertainty.

The RBA will meet on Tuesday. It may be time to switch lenders.

ANALYSIS

Do you know what exact interest rate you’re paying on your home loan without logging onto your banking app? If you’re like the majority of Australians, you don’t.

Ask your work colleagues the same question and I’ll wager all or most have no idea off the top of their heads.

This is despite the constant discussions about the RBA raising rates over the past few years and now beginning to cut rates.

MORE:Shock finding ahead of ‘six rate cuts’

Big bank’s huge rates call ahead of RBA meet

I know what my mortgage rate is. But only because I quickly logged on and checked it before beginning to write this article.

It’s 5.59 per cent by the way, which is decent in today’s market. For that I can thank my mortgage broker, who routinely checks in with the bank to ask for a better deal on my behalf. Lucky someone’s switched on.

The RBA meetings and announcements dominate the news cycle as we battle a cost of living crisis and an ever-worsening black hole of mortgage stress, threatening to financially cripple millions of Aussies.

Yet still, we remain disengaged.

Save thousands of dollars … or go back to bed?

An exclusive new Finder survey has revealed 19 per cent of Australian mortgage holders are planning to refinance their loans in the coming six months.

That’s the equivalent of about 627,000 mortgages changing hands from one lender to another.

That sounds pretty engaged, right?

Well, nearly as many survey respondents (18 per cent) said that they needed to refinance, but “couldn’t be bothered”.

Come again? That’s the equivalent of 594,000 Aussie households that are knowingly paying the bank more money than they need to, but think that doing anything about it is too hard.

By refinancing, or even threatening to so that their bank lowers their current rate, these households could save thousands of dollars a year.

Finder’s head of consumer research Graham Cooke said getting a better deal may not be as difficult or time intensive as people think.

MORE:Small hack to add $20k to home value

“Generally it’s easier nowadays to refinance than it has ever been,” Cooke said. “You can do it online, and your new lender will handle everything. The ball is in your court as a consumer. Don’t wait for another interest rate cut, give yourself one.”

The survey also revealed that 9 per cent of mortgage holders had refinanced in the previous year; contributing to a total $197 billion worth of home loans that changed lenders over 12 months according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Gen Z were the most desperate to save on their debt, with 34 per cent of respondents in that age bracket planning to refinance in the next six months.

Younger Aussies are the keenest to get a better deal on their debt.

“Thousands of homeowners are struggling right now and are looking for a better deal to relieve their mortgage stress, Cooke said. “The mortgage is typically the largest household expense – and the biggest chance to save.

“Even loans taken out less than a year ago should be reviewed.”

A separate Canstar study has revealed that refinance numbers have already begun to pick up, with ABS statistics indicating more than 100,000 loans had been refinanced in the March quarter; the highest level since September 2023.

Canstar data insights director Sally Tindall said this showed engagement levels were improving.

MORE:Aus candy shop mansion finally exposed

“It’s essential for borrowers to recognise the power they hold. Negotiating with lenders, or even switching to a more competitive offer, can translate to substantial savings,” Tindall said. “RBA changes to the cash rate often encourage borrowers to investigate the option of refinancing and if the central bank fires off another cut on Tuesday, we expect these refinancing numbers will continue to rise.”

Finder head of consumer research Graham Cooke.

For those about to refinance

To refinance successfully, Cooke said it was best to avoid some common traps.

1. Don’t look at the rate only: “Some products have very low rates but may not have useful features like an offset, which can save in the long run.”

2. Compare the best offers: “Check online to see what rate you could be getting. Finder has rates as low as 5.29 per cent on its site.”

Call your current bank: “Tell them you are looking to refinance – often they will be willing to give you a deal.”

Be prepared to move: If your current bank doesn’t come to the party, make sure you follow through and refinance.

Think twice about a fixed rate: “Experts in Finder’s RBA Cash Rate Survey are predicting multiple cuts to the cash rate in the coming six months. Fixed rate offers can be lower, but make sure you think they will be worth it.”

The post Australian mortgage holders ‘can’t be bothered’ refinancing to a better deal appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The cost of living crisis has pushed many into high levels of financial stress, yet comparison site Finder discovered many are sabotaging themselves even further.

A survey of 1,011 respondents from Finder revealed that most Aussies are setting themselves up for financial failure and have exposed the biggest obstacles that stood in the way.

The most common barrier was wasteful spending with the average Aussie wasting $154 per month.

Over a third of respondents said the biggest waste was spending too much money on shopping, according to Finder.

MORE: Insane demands of mega wealthy exposed by staff

Frivolous spending was holding the majority of Aussies back from financial freedom.

Other money mistakes included paying bills late, which one quarter of respondents were guilty of, one in five fell into credit card debt and 20 per cent said they spent too much money at bars, pubs and clubs.

Sarah Megginson, personal finance expert at Finder, said majority of Aussies are unknowingly standing in their own way.

MORE: Simple way to unlock $20k in extra home value

New neighbourhood coming to Sydney

“Most people don’t have a money problem – they have a mindset problem. Breaking these patterns could be the difference between staying stuck and building real financial freedom.

“The idea that you’re ‘too old’ or ‘too busy’ to build wealth is a myth – and one that’s costing Australians dearly.”

Another major roadblock was that one in five felt their lack of financial knowledge was preventing them from financial success.

Personal finance Sarah Megginson. Picture: Michelle Kwan.

“These blockers are silent wealth killers – they creep into our everyday choices and steal opportunities,” Ms Megginson added.

MORE: Alarming way Gen Z are getting homes

What homes will be worth in each suburb by 2030

“But the good news is once you are aware of them, you can change them.”

She urged Aussies to scrutinise all their living costs to free up more discretionary income.

“It’s never too late to take control – increasing personal wealth does require a plan and discipline to reach your goals,” she said.

Young Australians wasted the most money, according to a Finder survey, with gen Z admitting to wasting a whopping $237 a month, compared to just $65 by baby boomers.

Finder money expert Rebecca Pike said whether you’re wasting $5 or $500, it all adds up.

“It’s not about living like a monk – no one is saying not to have fun and enjoy yourself from time to time,” she said. “The more you can segment or budget what you will spend for fun, the better.

Rebecca Pike money expert at Finder.

“Once you think about spending as a long-term investment rather than short-term indulgence, the more you will actually enjoy when you do splurge.”

Ms Pike said even small changes can have a big impact.

“When you add it all up, that’s money you could be saving for a home deposit, a holiday, or just a rainy day.

“Redirecting just a small portion of that could set you up for greater financial security, whether it’s building savings or paying off debt.”

Her tips included manually tracking your spending, through apps like Gather or WeMoney and putting savings into a high-interest savings account.

“It’s a low-risk way to let your money grow – helping you build a financial cushion.”

Other tips included putting 24-hours between unplanned purchases and unsubscribing from tempting emails and alerts.

MORE: Top NSW regions for lifestyle and investors

Oroton heirs’ stunning $30m payday

The post Top reasons stopping Aussies from financial success appeared first on realestate.com.au.