Coldwell Banker Realty is strengthening its presence in Hudson County, New Jersey. On Tuesday, the firm announced its acquisition of Hoboken-based Prime Real Estate Group.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This acquisition adds one office and 60 agents to Coldwell Banker’s presence in the county. The firm’s principal broker Jesse Halliburton and managing broker Marco Tartaglia will remain in leadership roles, according to the release. 

“This is a strategic move that allows us to broaden our services in Hudson County while welcoming a company we’ve long admired,” Rob Norman, the Eastern regional president of Coldwell Banker Realty, said in a statement. “Prime Real Estate Group has built a stellar reputation for professionalism and market expertise.”

For the past four years, the firm has recorded an average of $5 million in annual gross commission income, according to the release. 

The firm was founded in 2001 by Halliburton and it serves Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken and the greater Hudson County area with a focus on new developments and condominiums. In total, Halliburton has three decades of real estate industry experience, while Tartaglia has 20 years of experience, which includes holding sales roles at national homebuilder Toll Brothers. 

“Joining Coldwell Banker Realty is the right next step in the evolution of our office,” Halliburton said in a statement. “Their global brand, robust marketing and transaction tools, and collaborative company culture will be a tremendous asset to our agents and clients. We’re excited to be part of a company that shares our values and vision.” 

Over the summer, Coldwell Banker Realty has added top agents in teams in Florida and California.

A 24-year-old construction worker has revealed how he’s leveraging Australia’s booming property market to achieve financial independence and retire by the age of 40.

With four investment properties already under his belt, Kaleb Schofield is proving that strategic real estate investment can be the cornerstone of early retirement dreams.

Schofield, who hails from the Gold Coast, has embraced the Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) movement, a growing trend in Australia that encourages aggressive saving, investing, and living below your means to achieve financial freedom.

For Schofield, property has been the game-changer.

At just 18, he purchased his first home – a $600,000 property in Tweed Heads – after saving a 20 per cent deposit through years of disciplined investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and bonds.

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Gold Coast man Kaleb Schofield is hoping retire by the time he is 40 and has already built up an impressive share and property portfolio. (Source: Supplied)

Fast forward six years, and his portfolio now includes two houses on the Gold Coast, an apartment in Melbourne, and a house north of Brisbane, collectively generating $1m in equity.

“I’ve always seen property as a stable and tangible investment,” Schofield said. “It’s something I can build on while diversifying with shares in the background.”

Schofield’s property success is underpinned by a clear strategy: he lives frugally, invests aggressively, and ensures his financial foundations – like an emergency fund and insurance – are solid.

His ultimate goal? To expand his property portfolio further while building a $1.5m share portfolio that generates $40,000 to $50,000 in annual passive income.

The FIRE movement and property’s role

The FIRE movement, which has gained traction among young Australians, focuses on reducing expenses and investing the surplus to create a stream of passive income.

While many FIRE advocates lean heavily on shares, Schofield’s story highlights the power of property as a cornerstone of financial independence.

Financial adviser Josef Jindra said property can play a pivotal role in the FIRE strategy, particularly for Australians.

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At just 18, he purchased his first home – a $600,000 property in Tweed Heads. (Source: Supplied)

“Real estate offers both capital growth and rental income, which can accelerate wealth accumulation,” he said.

However, Jindra cautioned that the FIRE movement isn’t for everyone.

“It requires significant discipline and sacrifices, and not everyone is in a position to invest aggressively.”

A balanced approach

Schofield’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges.

Working six nights a week in construction, he earns $160,000 annually, which he channels into his investments.

Over the past two years, he has been investing $1,500 a fortnight into ETFs, building a $120,000 share portfolio alongside his property assets.

Despite his aggressive investment strategy, Schofield emphasises the importance of balance. “I’ve got a six-month emergency fund in cash, not tied up in ETFs or property, so I’m prepared for any unexpected expenses,” he said.

For Australians looking to follow in his footsteps, Schofield advises starting small and staying consistent.

Schofield is currently investing $1,500 a fortnight into ETFs, with the help of a financial adviser, and hopes to have a $1.5 million share portfolio in the future. (Source: Supplied)

“Track your spending, identify areas to cut back, and invest regularly. Property is a great option, but make sure you’re financially prepared before diving in,” he said.

For Schofield, the journey is far from over.

Living at home with his parents to save on expenses, he’s focused on growing his portfolio and achieving his dream of being “work optional” by 40.

“I don’t hate my job, but construction isn’t something I want to be doing forever,” he said. “Property gives me the flexibility to focus on what I’m passionate about, and that’s what financial independence is all about.”

The post Gold Coast tradie, 24, plans to retire early with property portfolio appeared first on realestate.com.au.

277-279 Monaco St, Broadbeach Waters

A glamorous riverfront estate built for one of Queensland’s richest families is going under the hammer.

Sprawled over a double block in a prestigious Gold Coast enclave, the Gatsby-esque property was formerly owned by late pastoralist Neil Statham.

Mr Statham founded Sundown Pastoral Co in 1964, operating a large-scale cattle enterprise before the family switched focus to the cotton industry.

The Stathams made a fortune supplying beef to Woolworths and other big companies and sold their northern NSW cattle station to Gina Rinehart in 2018.

It occupies a peaceful position with more than 30m of frontage to Main River

Property records show Mr Statham acquired the 2,800 sqm parcel at 277-279 Monaco St, Broadbeach Waters in 1998, with Bayden Goddard engaged to design a grand home embodying timeless Australian architecture with a distinctly American twist.

Occupying the fourth-largest landholding on blue-chip Monaco St, the home is marketed by Kollosche agents Nicky and Jason Cunningham with Jennifer Yan, and goes to auction on October 10.

The home has seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms

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Property features include seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms across a 1,160 sqm floorplan, with multiple living zones including a formal lounge with open fireplace and temperate-controlled wine cellar, along with a showstopping kitchen with Calacatta marble benches, cool room and butler’s pantry.

Outside is like a resort, with the pool and spa flanked by entertaining pavilions, a floodlit tennis court, and a newly constructed boardwalk and pontoon.

French doors frame the views

It was designed by Bayden Goddard and formerly owned by the Staham family

The luxurious kitchen has marble-topped island benches

The home was one of the last luxury constructions by Denis Ritchie and showcases details including coffered ceilings with recessed VJ panelling and porthole-style windows framing city, park or river views.

Ms Cunningham said the property had undergone a recent facelift before coming to market.

It last changed hands for $6.1m in 2014, held since by overseas-based owners who only occasionally stayed at their Gold Coast residence.

“This is more than a home — it is a true estate,” Ms Cunningham said.

“To me, it has an almost parliamentary feel to it, like the White House meets the Gold Coast.”

The floodlit tennis court

She said estimates of the cost to build a new property of the same grand scale came in at about $10,000 per square metre

“It is a one-of-a-kind estate that cannot be replicated in today’s market.”

House prices in Broadbeach Waters were up close to 20 per cent over the past 12 months to a median of $2,467,500, according to PropTrack data.

The post Beef baron’s Gatsby-esque mansion to go under the hammer appeared first on realestate.com.au.

19 Dargie Street, Everton Park

A historic 1950s home built by developer Sir Leon Trout and his wife Lady Peggy with its very own ballroom and art gallery has hit the market in Brisbane.

Once a hub of high society, the Everton Park property housed a nationally significant art collection, and hosted Australia’s longest-serving prime minister, Sir Robert Menzies.

The double-storey home on a 3,965 sqm parcel at 19 Dargie Street is for sale via negotiation with Ray White One Group agent, Mary Di Marco.

Everton House was a lively social venue

Known as ‘Everton House’, the Trouts’ home was a “lively social venue” for arts enthusiasts and housed the couple’s extensive collection of art works, including by Australian impressionists, Frederick McCubbin and Arthur Streeton.

The house still features the portrait gallery, which became an extension to Everton House, and is reached via a wide circular staircase with balconies on both sides.

Sir Trout served as president of Queensland’s Liberal Party from 1953-1957, and welcomed then-prime minister Sir Menzies to stay when he visited Brisbane, Ms Di Marco said.

A fittingly grand entry to the home’s ballroom

The property hosted movers and shakers of the mid-late 20th century

“This home was the centre of social gatherings for art connoisseurs, politicians and movers and shakers of mid-late 20th century,” she said.

The property sits within the eponymous Trouts Estate of surrounding streets regarded as the dress circle of Everton Park.

“Sir Leon Trout’s vision was to differentiate this housing estate from nearby developments,” Ms Di Marco said.

“The estate had a covenant under which the owners had to build to a certain size footprint, only use brick and tile construction and power and cabling had to be underground.”

A new owner could restore its past glory

The family’s original landholding was subdivided to develop a community with streets named after renowned artists, including Nerli, Bunny, McCubbin, Streeton, Namatjira, and Heyson.

Everton House itself was extended, and today retains many original features including marble floor tiles.

The property comprises six bedrooms, five bathrooms and two kitchens, with a self-contained granny flat and pool as well as three garages.

Sir Leon Trout (1906-1978) was a Brisbane solicitor, businessman and art collector, who developed a housing estate in Everton Park. Picture: Ray Saunders/The Courier-Mail Photo Archive.

The late Lady Peggy Trout pictured at her Queensland home.

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“The home is waiting for a fairy grandmother to wave her magic wand and make it sparkle again,” Ms Di Marco said.

“It has a generous north-facing aspect so it is beautifully warm in winter and cool in summer.

“The views are glorious as the home is the highest point in Everton Park.”

PropTrack data shows house prices in Everton Park were up 9.8 per cent over the past year, to a median of $1.125m.

Original features include marble floor tiles

The post Historic home’s link to former prime minister revealed appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Michigan-based Clients First Realtors of Canton has joined the Real Estate One Family of Companies.

Founded in 1995, Clients First has operated within Michigan for more than 25 years.

“Clients First Realtors’ values align closely with our own, especially when it comes to giving back to the communities where we live and work,” said Dan Elsea, president of brokerage services for the Real Estate One Family of Companies. “We are proud to welcome them into our family and look forward to strengthening our shared commitment to serving clients and communities across Michigan.”

Clients First will continue to be led by Chantell Monette, who will oversee the office and integration into Real Estate One.

The firm will keep its current location in Canton, Mich., and operate under the Clients First brand.

Agents will continue serving clients while gaining access to additional tools and resources from Real Estate One, Michigan’s largest real estate brokerage.