Homebuyers are still only dipping their toes back into the market. But it’s enough for agents to feel cautiously optimistic again about the year ahead — and dream a little bigger.
Renting a new apartment? It may be scary to contemplate, but there are many places for someone to plant a hidden camera and secretly record your every move for their own sick pleasure. There’s also been a rash of spy cam incidents at short-term rentals nationwide.
That’s despite Airbnb and VRBO policies prohibiting vacation homeowners from installing indoor security cameras to monitor guests. A 2024 report by smart home technology company Vivint shows that one in 12 owners confess to still using them, and one in 20 renters discovered a hidden camera during their stay. Yikes.
Spy cams are also a big problem closer to home.
“Hidden cameras are an epidemic in New York City, and people don’t even realize how bad it is,” said Jimmie Mesis, founder and director of USA Bug Sweeps, which specializes in finding hidden cameras in NYC apartments and conducts more than 350 sweeps yearly. “The number of requests for sweeps continues to increase—we are now averaging over 400 per year—as does the number of hidden cameras we are finding.”
Typical cases involve a young, single woman renting an apartment, but tenants of all ages and genders are susceptible, and in all kinds of housing. The places where you can hide a bug are seemingly endless—such as vents, ceiling fans, and fire detectors. “No one is free from being watched,” Mesis noted.
Here’s the advice Mesis gave for how to detect a spy cam—and what to do if you find one.
[Editor’s note: A previous version of this article was published in September 2023. We are presenting it with updated information for September 2025.]
How can I tell if I am being spied on?
Start by being aware of your surroundings, Mesis says. Take inventory—ideally with photos—of your belongings and pay attention to where everything is so you can tell if anyone has been in the apartment without your knowledge or, even if they have, whether anything has been moved. (This is a very good reason to declutter.)
Of course, if you have roommates, kids, or pets, your stuff is going to get moved around, but it’s still worth being more mindful of your environment.
How would someone spy on me?
“Hidden cameras can be anywhere and look like almost anything,” Mesis said. Searching on Amazon confirms that claim, with wireless “nanny cams” disguised as a smoke detector, light bulb, electronic outlet, or clock radio. (Other sites offer spy cams disguised as a bottle of shower gel or a sonic toothbrush.)
Plus, tiny cameras with a pinhole lens (less than 1/16th of an inch) can be planted where you least expect them, including coffee makers, clock radios, or any other electronic gizmo. So beware of any unexpected gifts.
Mesis has even discovered hard-wired cameras (placed by landlords) that do not emit a signal and are therefore easier to escape detection; the closer your apartment is to theirs, the easier these devices will be to rig up.
“All the wiring and sometimes even the body of the camera will be on the other side of your wall or ceiling, so you’d have to look mighty hard to see the pinhole lens,” he explained.
Here’s another cautionary tale: Mesis was recently hired by a spouse who suspected her husband of spying on her in their Manhattan apartment. Turned out he was—via a wifi-enabled electrical outlet in the only bathroom, pointing at the toilet and shower. Here’s the kicker: The husband was also the building super and had installed similar electrical outlets in various other bathrooms, all of which could be monitored from his office.
“Needless to say, he was arrested. People need to know this is not an isolated incident,” Mesis said.
How can I tell if I am being spied on?
Cameras placed by amateurs are often easy to find simply by looking for one. But Mesis said a true voyeur will hide the camera so well that you can be staring right at it without knowing.
Short of combing every inch of your apartment, Mesis recommended focusing on the most common target spots, meaning bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, and anywhere else you are likely to be caught undressed.
Within those spaces, he suggested considering the camera’s angle. For example, as you are lying in bed, look at what is pointed down at you, which could be a ceiling fan, pendant light, or smoke detector.
Exhaust fans and heating vents are the most probable areas in a bathroom, as are any areas below eye level where you wouldn’t naturally bend down to look. For example, someone could place a digital video recorder (DVR) camera under a pedestal sink and then come back and remove it a couple of days later.
Of course, cameras can also be hidden wherever there is a hole for the lens to peep through. For a low-tech method, Mesis advised turning off all the lights, drawing the blinds, and “’painting’ the walls and ceiling and other surfaces with a flashlight, getting extremely close so you can detect any glint from the lens.”
Lens-finding apps like Hidden Camera Detector—Peek use your smartphone’s flash to light up any lens, though you’ll want to pay attention to user reviews before going this route.
Another option is a multi-bug detector from Brickhouse Security (no relation to Brick Underground), which starts at about $265 and is roughly the size and shape of a deck of cards. This device claims to detect wired and wireless mics, cameras, and bugs and comes with a camera detector attachment that allows you to see any device through a special lens, thanks to its emission of high-frequency red light. Note: It’s also an on-the-go option for dressing rooms, public bathrooms, hotel rooms, and vacation rentals.
“With any of these lens finders, you have to know what you are looking for, and therein lies the problem,” Mesis said. Plastic, mirrors, glass, and other surfaces can give off false-positive results.
Camera finders with RF (radio frequency) detection are typically cheaper (this one is $105), though you’ll need to turn off or rule out all the other transmitting objects, including kitchen appliances and baby monitors, to hone in on any hidden camera.
To hunt down cameras that are streaming live video, apps such as Fing list all devices running off your network (reviewers recommend paying $3 for the monthly subscription for better results); Hidden Camera Detector scans local networks and Bluetooth as well.
The problem is that the perpetrator could set up a seemingly legit wifi router—for example, calling it 4B when you live in 2A—which wouldn’t stand out as suspicious. Such was the case of a recent client whose ex-husband planted seven Nest cameras all over the apartment. “He did an excellent job of hiding them despite their size,” Mesis said.
When to call in a pro
Just because you fail to discover anything doesn’t mean there isn’t a camera still lurking somewhere. At this point, your choices are to stop doing anything you wouldn’t want anyone to see (unlikely) or hire a professional bug sweep. Be prepared to pay $2,500 minimum.
On the flip side, Mesis has been hired by clients who swear they found a hidden camera on their own, only to turn out not to be the case. It’s a tricky situation for sure.
“A properly conducted debugging inspection of an average-sized apartment is not cheap,” Mesis said. “I am using over $200,000 worth of state-of-the-art equipment, including an analyzer that not only detects the exact frequency but also the exact distance.”
What should I do if I find a hidden camera?
Don’t touch it. Call the police, who will dust the equipment for fingerprints—and if they find any clues about the owner’s identity, try to track them down. Avoid alerting the landlord or super what you’re up to, in case either one put it there in the first place.
Mesis reported having clients who chose to avoid bringing in the authorities, either to prevent dragging the person (usually a spouse or boyfriend) through court or to protect their own privacy, because what’s on the video might end up being shown in court. He still suggested documenting where and when you found the camera and keeping it as evidence, just in case.
Can I hide cameras in my own apartment?
Under New York state law, it’s legal to have a hidden camera in your dwelling, so long as it is not in an area where there is an expectation of privacy. A good rule of thumb is not to put a camera anywhere you would expect someone to knock before entering.
Indeed, Mesis recommended installing cameras precisely to keep someone from spying on you. Aim the cameras at all entry points.
Brickhouse Security offers surveillance cameras priced from $28 for a mini, flexible device to more elaborate models costing just over $3,000, which feature low-light sensitivity and a zoom lens.
What are the penalties for spying on someone?
Planting a hidden camera could get your landlord or any other offender slapped with trespassing and stalking charges.
The governing statute, known as Stephanie’s Law, was enacted in 2003 as a result of a case involving a woman who had been spied on for months by her landlord, who used cameras that were concealed in her apartment’s smoke alarms. At the time, the landlord could only be charged with misdemeanor trespassing; today, it is considered a felony.
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Home values still remain far above what they were before the pandemic sent home prices soaring across the U.S.
Last month, President Donald Trump nominated Stephen Miran to fill a vacant seat on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. And much like other Trump administration picks that require Senate confirmation, Miran’s selection has drawn skepticism from Democratic lawmakers.
Miran met last week with members of the Senate banking committee, and a full floor vote to confirm him could happen this week. Trump and other officials are keen to install Miran ahead of next week’s Federal Open Market Committee vote on the Fed funds rate as the president continues his battle with Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Miran would replace Adriana Kugler on the Fed board and become one of 12 people who set interest rate policies. Kugler resigned at the start of August, and her replacement will finish out her term that expires in January 2026.
Miran’s nomination sparks Democratic pushback
As the chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Miran has close ties to the president. He published a paper last year that called for the aggressive use of tariffs to reshape the global economy. A recent report from The New York Times mentioned a separate paper that Miran co-authored, which criticized the central bank “and concluded that its institutional setup made it prone to policy errors and that it was unaccountable to the very people it was supposed to serve.”
His nomination has sparked pushback from Democrats, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Jack Reed (R.I.), who questioned Miran’s independence. He has publicly stated his plan to take an unpaid leave of absence from the White House, rather than resign, to work with the Fed.
“Even if the Republicans on this Committee force through his confirmation, Dr. Miran’s tenure will be tainted. No one — not the American public, not investors here at home, not the worldwide financial markets — will trust him as an independent voice,” Warren said in prepared remarks during last week’s confirmation hearing. “Every claim he makes and every vote he takes will be tainted with the suspicion that he isn’t an honest broker, but that he is Donald Trump’s puppet.”
“This arrangement would not serve the best interest of the American people,” a letter from Senate Democrats to Miran read. “It is ludicrous to contend that you could exercise independent judgment regarding monetary policy and financial regulation.”
Conservative support for the nomination
Conversely, the America First Policy Institute — a conservative think tank — issued a statement of support for Miran, saying that his departure from Biden-era monetary policy would be welcomed.
“The Federal Reserve under the Biden Administration has become increasingly more political by choosing to further a radically political ESG (environmental, social, governance) agenda instead of addressing the hidden inflationary tax on the American people, which is part of the Fed’s original mandate,” the statement read. “Stephen Miran, President Trump’s nominee for governor of the Federal Reserve, will put Americans first and restore the Fed’s core mission without political bias.”
Miran defended his positions during the hearing, saying that the Fed requires “democratic oversight.”
“I’m very independently minded, as shown by my willingness to stray from consensus and have out-of-consensus views, and I believe that I will continue to be as independent in my thinking process, if confirmed,” he said.
The Fed’s battle against inflation
At the tail end of 2024, Fed policymakers implemented a series of three consecutive rate cuts that reduced the federal funds rate by a total of 100 basis points. Those moves came after a lengthy period of rate hikes in 2022 and 2023 as the Fed attempted to combat 40-year high inflation.
While mortgage rates are not directly controlled by the Fed, the rate hikes have resulted in long-term lending costs rising significantly from their historic low points in 2020 and 2021. Even with some recent downward movement, the average 30-year conforming loan rate this week is 6.64%, according to HousingWire‘s Mortgage Rates Center.
With annual inflation normalizing and dropping below 3% at the end of last year, Fed officials projected two more rate cuts in 2025. But these have yet to materialize as Powell and others have taken a “wait-and-see” stance to analyze the impacts of Trump’s global tariff regime.
In the wake of the August employment report — which saw the country add only 22,000 jobs — market observers widely expect a rate cut next week. As of Monday, the CME Group’s FedWatch tool showed that 88% of interest rate traders believe rates will be lowered by 25 basis points. The remaining 12% think it will be a 50-bps cut.
Along with Miran’s potential confirmation, Trump could gain another supporter on the Fed board if he’s allowed to proceed with the firing of Lisa Cook. After allegations of mortgage fraud surfaced against Cook, the president attempted to remove her, but Cook sued and is retaining her seat for now.
The Department of Justice announced it would investigate the matter. The Fed has said it will abide by any decisions made by the courts.
Mortgage rates at their lowest levels in nearly a year are driving a wave of refinance opportunities for lenders ahead of the Federal Reserve’s expected rate cut next week. The shift is encouraging more borrowers to leave the sidelines, with small rate moves already triggering meaningful activity.
“Refinance businesses increased significantly from the first quarter, but really, year to date, is up 66% from the first half of 2024. And as we know, rates are a little bit better, but not significantly,” Mat Ishbia, president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage, said in a video recorded last week. “Refinances are active right now — the first half of 2025 has been significantly better, and we think the second half will be even better than that.”
The number of homeowners who are “in the money” for a refi jumped 55% from two weeks earlier, from 2 million to 3.1 million. That’s according to the September Mortgage Monitor report from ICE Mortgage Technology, released Monday.
The growth comes as Americans continue to face rising costs tied to homeownership. For example, over the past five years, ICE reported that interest costs increased 27%, compared to 23% growth for loan principal, 25% for property taxes and 70% for insurance.
The average 30-year fixed rate for conforming loans, according to ICE, stood at 6.36% on Monday, its lowest level since October 2024.
“The number of mortgages ‘in the money’ for a refinance had been sitting at 2 million since mid-August. That figure jumped to 2.5 million as rates broke below 6.5% on Thursday before hitting 3.1 million on Friday,” said Andy Walden, ICE’s head of mortgage and housing market research.
Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW) estimate that 3.7% of the mortgage universe is currently in the money to refinance, assuming a 50 basis-point incentive. If rates fall to 6%, another 17.3% of borrowers could refinance at a lower rate.
The Fed meets on Sept. 17, with market observers overwhelmingly expecting a rate cut. According to the CME Group‘s FedWatch tool, 88% of interest rate traders anticipate a 25-bps cut, while 12% see a 50-bps cut.
Futures suggest mortgage rates may edge down only modestly. ICE projects 30-year fixed rates to average 6.27% by December and 6.2% by February 2026.
“While expectations for Fed rate cuts over the final few months of 2025 remain roughly an even split between two and three cuts, mortgage futures pricing suggest that markets expect only a third of those cuts to make their way downstream into 30-year mortgage rate improvements,” the ICE report stated.
According to Walden, the next significant threshold is 6.25%, which would raise the number of mortgages in the money for a refinance to 3.6 million. But the largest threshold sits at 6.125%, which would put 5 million mortgages in the money for a refinance. That would surpass the levels seen last fall, provided rates were to cross that barrier, he added.
HousingWire Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami explained that Fed policy remains a key obstacle to rates moving sustainably below 6%.
“In the past two years, the 10-year yield has reached levels of 3.37% and 3.63%. At those levels, we could see mortgage rates drop below 6% today, especially given the favorable spreads currently available. However, during both of those periods, the bond market was anticipating a recession,” Mohtashami wrote.
“The point here is we have been here before with mortgage rates near 6%, but to go lower, we would need a weaker economy or the Fed crying uncle and turning dovish.”
Still, some mortgage experts believe that borrowers shouldn’t wait.
“Homeowners who are waiting for the Fed to cut rates to refinance can act now since investors are already pricing in a September 17 Fed rate cut to lower rates,” said Bill Banfield, chief business officer at Rocket Companies. “Even a modest shift in rates can save homeowners tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a loan, while giving buyers more purchasing power.”
Boston-based Hometap has closed a $300 million securitization of home equity investment (HEI) loans originated by the company, marking its fifth transaction in the space.
The deal, closed on Aug. 29, included a $231 million Class A tranche rated at BBB(sf) and a $12 million Class B tranche rated at BBB(low)(sf) by Morningstar DBRS.
“Through each securitization, we’re able to transform investor enthusiasm for Hometap HEI asset-backed securities into offerings that provide homeowners with stability and the confidence to reach their financial goals,” said Jeffrey Glass, CEO of Hometap.
Hometap has now deployed more than $2 billion in home equity investments and served more than 20,000 homeowners.
In a recent interview with HousingWire, Hometap chief financial officer Tom Egan said that the company has only “scratched the surface” of unlocking the full potential of home equity.
HEIs are contracts in which a homeowner receives cash now in exchange for a share of the home’s future value. The money is typically repaid when the homeowner sells or refinances. There are no monthly payments over the life of the investment, which typically lasts 10 years.
Cara Newman, vice president and head of structured finance at Hometap, said the company’s multiple securitizations are “paving the way for broader investor participation in future HTAP transactions.”
Industry experts believe that demand for the product is strong, but investor appetite remains limited as HEIs are still a relatively new option for private equity real estate investors.
The main feature at lot 1 Ti Tree Rd, Dunnstown, is a rustic cubby house. But the wider property is listed for $450,000-$490,000.
A regional Victorian cubby house, on a more than 4ha parcel of farm land, has hit the market for just short of half-a-million bucks.
The unusual proposition at Lot 1 Ti Tree Rd, Dunnstown, just outside of Ballarat comes with a tree-lined block of land that’s zoned for farming use — and a rustic cubby house that along with a hay shed is just about the only major improvement to the plot.
With a $450,000-$490,000 asking price, the allotment has been listed with the prospect it could have a bigger house built on it — though its zoning will need certain requirements ticked off.
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Ray White Ballarat’s Dean Mifsud said it was the first time he’d listed a cubby house for close to half-a-million dollars, but with the expansive size of the block — there was value there.
“It’s been built for the owners grand kids,” Mr Mifsud said.
“And it’s just been a recreational block for them as they live nearby and like having the space.”
The unusual listing feature comes with a very rustic interior.
The loft adds space for storage – and possibly some more structural support.
While he said most prospective buyers would look to add a home to the property that took advantage of its impressive views, its farming zoning would mean there were some extra requirements to getting an approval.
In addition to the cubby house, the property also comes with a 3m deep well, a 13m deep bore and a hay shed.
Large portions of the block are lined with mature trees, creating an idyllic backdrop.
The property spans more than 4ha, with partial tree coverage.
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A Sunshine Coast homeowner’s gardening nightmare has ignited a heated debate about the importance of landscaping in maintaining property appeal – and how hiring the wrong professional can lead to costly consequences.
Alexis Withers, who owns a dental business with her husband Luke, recently turned to Airtasker to hire a gardener for a $200 job to mow her lawn and trim her heliconias.
With her regular gardener unavailable, Alexis hoped the service marketplace would provide a quick solution to keep her property looking its best.
“We normally have a regular gardener, but he wasn’t available,” she told Yahoo News.
But what she found upon returning to her backyard left her stunned.
Instead of a light trim, the palm-like plants had been hacked down to their stumps, transforming her once-lush garden into a barren landscape.
“When we saw the result, we were quite shocked,” she said.
Sharing a video of the “before and after” on TikTok, Alexis asked: “Does anyone know how I can grow back my plants quickly?”
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The heliconias before their “trim”. Source: TikTok/Alexis_Withers
The once-luscious plants have been reduced to stumps. Source: TikTok/Alexis_Withers
The incident has sparked widespread discussion about the role of landscaping in property presentation, with experts weighing in on how outdoor spaces can influence a home’s value and appeal.
“The way I just gasped,” one person commented.
“Moral of the story…be specific in your communication, if you want specific outcomes,” another wrote.
A third stated: “Looks like what my husband does to all our plants in our yard. I now do it myself.”
Alex Withers was left stunned after seeing what had happened to her plants. Source: TikTok/Alexis_Withers
Despite the rogue act, Alexis said she thought the gardener was “such a lovely person” and “didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable” by complaining.
“I mentioned via text, ‘Next time, please just trim the leaves rather than cutting them in half,’” she said.
As for her regular gardener, she said “he hasn’t seen” the man’s handiwork, adding she’s “too scared” to show him.
Despite the initial shock at the extensive haircut the plans copped, garden centre owner Tim Pickles, told Yahoo News it was actually “no big deal”.
“They don’t like winter, the leaves get burnt by frost,” he explained.
“They will grow back, even better, as soon as the weather warms up.”
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Smart renovation projects are reaping big returns for owners who get it right
Homebuyers not afraid to roll up their sleeves are finding a lucrative way into the property market, snapping up fixer-uppers for below the median house price and flipping them for big rewards.
While latest sales reflect a buyer preference for “turn-key” or completed properties, which are attracting a premium price, taking on a renovation project can be the only option for buyers otherwise locked out of Brisbane’s tight market, where a typical home is now priced above $1 million.
Herron Todd White’s (HTW) latest report found opportunities in the city and regions for savvy buyers, with a Dutton Park home purchased for $885,000 sold in May for $4.5m following extensive renovation.
BEFORE: 36 Lindon St, Dutton Park
AFTER: 36 Lindon St, Dutton Park
“Brisbane’s renovation market in 2025 is characterised by a push-pull between demand for fully completed properties and enthusiasm for major renovation projects,” HTW director Shannan Chandler said.
“High construction costs, builder availability, and project management complexities continue to influence buyer behaviour across all market segments.
“However, opportunities remain for astute purchasers who understand the fundamentals of location, property type, and realistic renovation scope.”
Ms Chandler said cosmetic upgrades to lower-priced houses and units could prove profitable, though demand for entry-level property was expected to peak as first-home buyer incentives were extended in 2026.
BEFORE: 36 Abbott St, Camp Hill
AFTER: 36 Abbott St, Camp Hill
“While it can mean paying a premium for an unrenovated home, there is an upside,” she said.
“Get the finished product right in terms of aesthetics and functionality, and there will be plenty of buyers eager to purchase it.”
A renovated five-bedroom home at 36 Lindon Street, Dutton Park sold for a whopping $3.615m more than when it last changed hands in 2019 — the premium far exceeding local market growth.
But in Camp Hill (36 Abbott St), a 1970s lowset property with a 1990s two-storey addition was purchased for $1.48m in June last year, achieving less than expected when it sold again recently for $2.32m following extensive works estimated at $300,000-$400,000, the report noted.
This four-bedroom home in Geebung has just been renovated and is open to offers
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“The inner south renovation market has some sobering lessons about the reality of current construction costs and market dynamics,” Ms Chandler said.
“[This] project moved the property from the competitive low-to-mid $1m price bracket into the much more challenging low-to-mid $2m market segment.”
In this market, small-scale projects could deliver the best pay-off, with the unit market showing more promise for renovation returns.
Experienced renovators were also making gains with value add-on projects, such as converting an enclosed balcony into an ensuite, to Queensland cottages in suburbs like Wooloowin and Hendra.
A Fig Tree Pocket home described as a “fantastic fixer-upper” is going to auction on September 20
In the regions, a house at 10 Camphor Wood Ct, Robina on the Gold Coast was snapped up in June for $1.745m, following upgrades to the circa-2002 build, eclipsing other comparable sales in the street.
On the Sunshine Coast, gentrification was driving demand for move-in ready homes, though most projects were focused on enhanced living conditions rather than profit.
A home at 78 Lake Entrance Blvd purchased for $1.06m went for $1.33m after a renovation.
The post Where renos still pay: Qld’s fixer-upper hotspots appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Australian activewear pioneer Lorna Jane Clarkson has expanded her already impressive property portfolio with the acquisition of Byron Bay’s renowned SOMA wellness retreat for $10.98 million, setting a new benchmark for the hinterland hamlet of Ewingsdale.
The purchase of the 21-acre estate, famed for its starring role in the Nicole Kidman-led TV series Nine Perfect Strangers, marks Clarkson’s third major investment in the Byron region. Her portfolio already includes the $14.1 million Coorabell estate, known as the site of Margot Robbie’s wedding, and a luxurious beach house.
Clarkson, ranked No. 68 on The Australian Financial Review Rich Women list with a valuation of $303 million, acquired SOMA from founders Gary Gorrow and Peter Ostick, who designed the retreat in 2018 as a modernist haven blending architectural innovation with Byron’s lush hinterland landscape.
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OMA wellness retreat has sold for $10.98 million
The retreat featured in the Nicole Kidman-led TV series Nine Perfect Strangers. (Photo by: Vince Valitutti/Hulu)
The dome featured prominently in the TV show.
The retreat’s main entrance.
The property’s earning potential, reportedly exceeding $1.8 million annually, underscores its appeal as both a lifestyle asset and a lucrative investment.
“It’s a magical place,” Clarkson told The Financial Review.
“I feel like it’s the perfect space to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect. Wellness is growing, and when we found out SOMA was on the market, we just jumped at it.”
The estate, which boasts features such as a geodesic yoga dome, infra-red sauna, ice bath, freshwater heated infinity pool, and Zen gardens, will remain largely unchanged under Clarkson’s ownership.
She plans to maintain its current operations while exploring opportunities for corporate retreats, conferences, and podcast recordings.
With its striking design by architects Rieky Sunur and George Gorrow, SOMA has earned global recognition for its seamless integration of form and function.
The main residence offers expansive glass-wrapped interiors, polished timber finishes, and breathtaking views from every angle.
Lorna Jane Clarkson plans to continue running the property as a wellness retreat.
One of the 10 bedrooms.
The large kitchen and dining area.
The living space is decked out in natural tones.
Its 10 indulgent bedroom suites, sprawling hardwood decks, and luxurious amenities make it a versatile property suited for private use or as a retreat destination.
Clarkson’s acquisition eclipses the $10.49 million paid by pub baron Arthur Laundy for nearby hospitality venue The Farm in 2020, further cementing SOMA’s status as one of Byron Shire’s most iconic properties.
The sale was managed by Will Phillips of Sotheby’s International Realty Byron Bay, who described SOMA as “a rare and exceptional investment opportunity” on its realestate.com.au sales ad.
Clarkson’s foray into the wellness retreat market aligns with her entrepreneurial ethos, which she credits for building her activewear empire.
Founded in 1989, Lorna Jane Active now boasts 100 retail stores and reported $199.6 million in revenue for FY24.
As SOMA continues to attract bookings months in advance, Clarkson’s vision for the property reflects her belief in creating spaces that inspire balance and self-care.
“You need to create a life you don’t want to escape from,” she told the Financial Review. “But there are times when you do want to recharge and focus on yourself.”
The post Lorna Jane buys Nine Perfect Strangers’ Byron Bay retreat appeared first on realestate.com.au.
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