In the heart of one of Melbourne’s most historic precincts, buyers are discovering luxury residences that combine city living with generous space.

437 St Kilda Road is a rare opportunity to secure a park-side home only three kilometres from the CBD. 

Created by Cbus Property, 437 includes 77 exclusive residences over 17 levels.

“437 St Kilda Road offers a rare combination of location, generously sized floorplans, and design,” says Cbus Property CEO Adrian Pozzo.

“We’ve crafted a collection of exclusive residences that embody privacy, sophistication, and timeless luxury—designed for discerning owner-occupiers who appreciate exceptional quality and thoughtful design.

“It has tree-lined streets and sits directly on Fawkner Park, while still being close to the city’s amenities.”

A historic boulevard 

437 sits on one of Melbourne’s most famous streets, the iconic St Kilda Road. 

“This address places residents directly on Fawkner Park, with immediate access to the Arts Precinct, the CBD, and South Yarra,” says Mr Pozzo. 

“It offers walkable amenity, green outlooks, and the sophistication of one of Melbourne’s most enduring boulevards.”

Cbus Property collaborated with architects Bates Smart to design residences that embrace St Kilda Road’s character and charm.

Jeff Copolov, interior design director at Bates Smart, shares that St Kilda Road has a long history of being the site of grand houses and residences, with the sleek exterior of 437 drawing on that heritage.

“We were particularly inspired by the streamlined mid-century modernist feel,” he explains, pointing to the curved, continuous windows that wrap around the building.  

These allow residents to enjoy uninterrupted views of St Kilda Road, the park, and the Shrine of Remembrance vista.

Prominently situated on the corner of St Kilda Road and the quiet cul-de-sac of Slater Street, the residences at 437 offers privacy and a close connection to the park’s natural beauty.

Expert, experienced team 

The fourth Melbourne residential project by Cbus Property in partnership with Bates Smart, 437 is a testament to the developer’s expertise and legacy. 

“Cbus Property has built a strong reputation delivering quality residential projects in Melbourne,” says Mr Pozzo. 

“We understand the market well and work with many long-standing partners, including architect firms like Bates Smart and renowned landscape architects like Barber.

“These firms align with our ambition to create outstanding homes, designed with residents in mind at every step.” 

Mr Copolov also highlights the unique strength that his team brings to be the project by being both the designers and architects. 

“We’re fortunate enough to be the architect and the interior designer and that’s quite an important thing,” he says. 

“It means we approach the design holistically, where the interior drives the architecture and the architecture drives the interior.” 

With this approach ensures that the building’s exterior and each individual residence is thoughtfully crafted to maximise space, liveability and privacy.

Timeless tailor-made design 

Drawing on their decades of experience, Mr Copolov explains that the design and style of each residence is timeless and considered. 

“We always take an approach that is beautiful but restrained and classical with beautiful materiality,” he says. 

Each apartment, especially the three-bedroom, half- and full-floor residences, offer expansive layouts that allow for the scale and functionality of a stand-alone home. 

The interiors can also be tailored for each buyer, with base colour palettes to choose from that can be then customised further. 

“We put together three specific schemes that all work beautifully as a standalone, but if you pick them very carefully you could swap every element over,” Mr Copolov explains. 

“While there are some suggested combinations, because some buyers will just want that, you can in fact swap and change elements and they will all work together.” 

This means elements like the metal used in the tapware and door handles from one palette, can be combined with the stone finishes of another for a high degree of personalisation. 

Mr Copolov also explains that beyond colour palettes and materials, buyers are invited to personalise their homes through bespoke joinery selections, with options such as sculptural stone bar units, integrated wine fridges, custom bookcases, and tailored study desks—each element thoughtfully crafted to elevate both form and function.

The attention to detail goes far beyond the residences themselves, with Mr Copolov noting that the team included an art consultant who helped curate the collection on display throughout the building. 

This is just one of the content partnerships that underscores 437 and shows residents the best of what the incredible precinct has to offer.

The right move for right-sizers 

With its historic location and considered design, the residences at 437 are attracting interest from discerning buyers who are looking to ‘right-size’ instead of just downsize. 

“Right-sizers want generous spaces, efficient layouts, quality finishes, and peace of mind—and that’s exactly what we are delivering,” says Mr Pozzo. 

“These are sophisticated homes built for comfort and ease, designed around how people want to live today.” 

Part of what makes the building so appealing to right-sizers is the range of amenities on offer that allow them to take full advantage of their luxury address. 

“437 St Kilda Road’s amenities are designed with real-life use in mind: a 25-metre heated pool, dry sauna, steam room and equipped gymnasium, private dining space, and concierge services, all tailored to an owner-occupier lifestyle,” says Mr Pozzo.

Mr Copolov highlights the communal entertaining spaces, like the level 8 rooftop garden terrace overlooking Fawkner Park, as just one of the amenities that adds to this luxury way of living. 

“There is a beautiful residents’ lounge and a high-quality domestic kitchen.

“Residents can either self-cater or get caterers in if they want to have a dinner party for a larger number than you could fit in your apartment,” he says.

“The incredible amenities that are beyond your apartment are going to add enormously to your lifestyle.”

437 St Kilda Road offers buyers a historic Melbourne address and a personalised residence that offers the best in both luxury design and urban lifestyle.

With the backing of a trusted, seasoned developer like Cbus Property, 437 St Kilda Road is an opportunity not to be missed.

The post From house to high-life: Why Melbourne’s prestige buyers are pouncing on these park-side St Kilda Road homes appeared first on realestate.com.au.

As the real estate industry undergoes rapid change, questions around listing display, agent attribution, and new technology are reshaping how consumers connect with agents. Andy Stearns,  Senior Vice President, Sales at Homes.com, speaks with us about building scalable teams, creating an agent-first platform, and how his experience leading growth at large organizations informs Homes.com’s go-to-market strategy.

HousingWire: Your background includes building large, scalable businesses and teams. What core belief from that experience most shapes your go‑to‑market philosophy at Homes.com. How does it show up in an agent‑first model day to day?

Andy Stearns: I think about this in two ways: anticipating market trends externally and building strong teams internally. In real estate, that means understanding the housing market and evolving consumer expectations.

The current online real estate model often confuses consumers and adds unnecessary middlemen. People want clarity, trust, and simplicity when making one of the most significant financial decisions of their lives. We are positioning Homes.com as a place where people can find their ideal home. They can connect with actual agents without the anxiety of not knowing who they’re connecting with after clicking a button; and we bring together buyers, sellers, and agents to do business their way.

With a go-to-market strategy that is aligned with the direction of the housing market, it’s imperative that we build teams focused on delivering the right outcomes for our customers. This involves setting the right cultural foundation, and building the right measurement and accountability systems to live up to our promises at scale. It also means having the right reinforcement mechanisms like training, compensation, and leadership to meet our customers’ goals, and therefore our business goals. As we grow as quickly as we have, it takes constant attention and improvement cycles to ensure we tune the organization the right way.

HW: Many agents have muscle memory around paying for leads. Homes.com positions itself as a marketing platform — direct leads to the listing agent, transparent routing, and broader brand exposure. What tradeoffs did you intentionally make to support that model, and which outcome metrics do you feel show it’s better for agents?

AS: Building Homes.com required making deliberate trade-offs. While many competitors rely on recycling leads among a small pool of agents, we chose not to replicate that model, even if it could have been a faster path. Globally, the most profitable portals are those that focus on marketing properties for sale, not harvesting leads. We believe that approach, combined with a clean, ad-free consumer experience, will ultimately define the dominant model in the U.S as it is around the world. This meant giving up short-term revenue opportunities, like selling leads or ad space, in favor of building trust, simplicity, and long-term value for consumers and agents.

The results validate our strategy. Member agents are winning 60% more listings than non-members, and those listings reach 22 times more prospects, generate six times more engagement, and are 25% more likely to go under contract within 10 days. Because listings are the foundation of an agent’s business, these outcomes are critical. By helping agents secure and market more listings, while delivering a better consumer experience, we’re proving this model works — and positioning Homes.com as the future of residential real estate.

HW: Agents are anxious about industry change and skeptical of “AI” as a buzzword. If you were coaching a new Homes.com member, what’s the 30/60/90‑day plan you recommend to shift from lead buying to brand building? What practical behaviors (content, follow‑up, listing promotion, retargeting setup) separate top performers on your platform from the rest?

AS: I believe humans will continue to play a critical role in an AI world, especially in real estate. Buying or selling a home is one of the most complex and financially significant transactions in a person’s life, and people still want trusted professionals to guide them through that process. We use technology and AI to enhance — not replace — the agent’s role and empower them to unlock the full value of their Homes.com membership by treating it as a true partnership rather than passive exposure.

The most successful agents actively engage with their account managers, especially in the first 90 days. They ensure their profiles are optimized, their information is accurate, and they leverage Homes.com’s unique features to strengthen their presence and reconnect with past clients. By embedding these tools into their business, whether through listing presentations, digital marketing, or retargeting — they’re able to differentiate themselves and win more business.

Ultimately, the membership provides more than access; it equips agents with premium features and marketing power that resonate with today’s consumers. When agents integrate Homes.com into their client conversations, they demonstrate real value, showing sellers how their homes will be marketed to millions across top sites and with advanced tools at no extra cost. That’s where we see traction: agents who leverage the platform as part of their go-to-market strategy are building credibility, standing out, and growing their businesses faster.

HW: Can you explain how Smart Search, retargeting, and the Matterport acquisition work together to enhance the buyer experience and strengthen the listing agent’s brand? Once fully integrated, what changes or benefits should agents expect?

AS: Smart Search transforms how buyers discover homes. Instead of relying on filters and dropdowns, buyers can input their queries in natural language and refine results in real time. This creates a more intuitive, personalized search experience while giving agents deeper insights into what matters most to their clients, enabling more targeted guidance.

Matterport adds another layer to this evolution. Its immersive 3D digital twin technology lets buyers virtually tour homes while providing detailed data on layouts, dimensions, and finishes. This not only enriches the buyer experience but also empowers agents to offer more accurate, actionable recommendations, reinforcing their brand and expertise.

Once fully integrated across CoStar Group’s platforms: Homes.com, Apartments.com, and commercial products, these capabilities will provide a cohesive, data-driven property search experience. Buyers, renters, and investors gain transparency and engagement, while agents see enhanced opportunities to showcase listings, differentiate their services, and deepen client relationships.

HW: New construction is often underexposed in traditional search. What is unique about the way Homes.com that’s helping builders capture buyer demand? How will that differ from the traditional experience? 

One of the best things about our no-cost listing option is how it brings new home communities together on one platform. Before our August launch, no real estate portal truly offered a comprehensive experience. Buyers had to hop between multiple sites, dealing with a fragmented, pay-to-play system that limited their choices. With our free-to-list option, builders can now easily list their communities. Today, Homes.com hosts over 21,000 distinct communities, and that number keeps growing, showing the success of this approach.

For builders, we also offer a Community Boost, a powerful marketing solution that includes priority placement in search results across the entire Homes.com marketplace along with enhanced media packages creating an immersive search experience. A boosted community will sort higher in new home search results, plus three move-in ready homes or plans will sort higher in the existing home search. By integrating new construction alongside resale listings, Homes.com ensures buyers see all available options in one place, helping builders capture demand more effectively than other portals. For builders not looking to increase their exposure to new home buyers, we offer basic listings so they can list their communities, plans and move-in ready homes – at no cost.

HW: With shifting policies and debates over listing display, what principles will guide Homes.com on inventory completeness, agent attribution, and ranking so agents trust the platform? As you grow the sales org from 250 to 800, how will you maintain service quality and NPS? And five years from now, what does success look like for agents, consumers, and Homes.com?

AS: This summer alone, we’re onboarding 350 new team members. To maintain service quality at this pace, we’ve built a strong foundation: five weeks of immersive training, a territory-based model to encourage long-term account ownership, and performance systems that emphasize retention and NPS alongside sales. We only hire when leadership is in place to support new staff, ensuring consistency and accountability from day one.

Our five-year vision is for Homes.com to be viewed not just as a platform but as a trusted partner to agents — reliable, indispensable, and aligned with their long-term success. That means agents see us as a resource they would never give up, buyers and sellers benefit from a better, more transparent experience, and our own team members grow their careers in step with the company. Revenue growth will matter, but enduring trust, retention, and customer satisfaction will be the truest markers of success.

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In 2024, a study by title production software company Qualia found that the vast majority of title professionals use artificial intelligence. Over the past year, Qualia put that finding to good use, as it announced on Monday the launch of its agentic AI tool Qualia Clear.

According to Qualia, the technology turns its title production process from a “system of record into an intelligent system of action.” 

The company said the product automates the review, analysis and execution of orders, freeing title professionals to advise clients and solve complex issues. 

“Qualia Clear is a breakthrough product,” Qualia CEO Nate Baker said. “It is the most interesting, most important product we’ve ever launched. It is really a coming together of our entire ecosystem combined with the AI capabilities that are coming out right now.” 

Baker describes it as a general purpose tool that is specifically designed to help title companies and professionals do their jobs.

By integrating Qualia Clear into the preexisting platform, the AI tool has access to all of a title professional’s communications that occur within the system — including calls, texts and emails. This enables it to ensure files stay up to date and accurate. But despite having access to all of this data, Qualia said its AI model is not trained through any transaction or consumer data. 

“The system is a deep expert in title and it is able to help them translate between the state of the transaction and then actually help them take that next action,” Baker said.  “A lot of what we have built and are continuing to build here is the ability to have a natural language conversation with your business to understand insights through all sorts of different analyses, which you can gain just by asking it questions.” 

According to Baker, Qualia Clear can help title officers by automating things like preliminary title exams, as well as helping escrow officers automate preclosing data verification to help prevent errors and fraud. 

The product is now available for Qualia Core and Atlas customers. 

Looking ahead, Qualia said it hopes to continue to develop new features for the platform while enabling the Qualia Clear digital agent to handle “increasingly complex, multi-step workflows with less supervision.”

Pennymac Financial Services Inc. announced on Monday that it has taken a long-term minority equity stake in Vesta Innovations Inc. as part of an effort to modernize the mortgage process.

The investment is part of a partnership between the two companies, also announced on Monday, which aims to streamline mortgage applications and enhance the customer experience.

As part of the collaboration, Pennymac has become the first major mortgage client to go live on Vesta’s platform.

“Our partnership with Vesta is a great example of how Pennymac continues to lead the industry through innovation,” said Doug Jones, Pennymac’s president and chief mortgage banking officer. “Investing in and integrating Vesta’s platform will further strengthen our technology ecosystem, allowing us to deliver an even faster, more intuitive mortgage experience for customers.

“Early results are very promising, with an increase in efficiency and improvement in our customer experience. This collaboration sets a new standard for the industry as a whole and truly elevates the customer journey.”

Vesta’s cloud-based loan origination system has been rolled out in Pennymac’s consumer direct channel, with plans to extend the technology across the company’s multichannel production platform, including its correspondent and third-party origination groups.

“Pennymac is a great partner and a tech-forward leader in the mortgage industry,” said Mike Yu, co-founder and CEO at Vesta. “Like us, they firmly believe that the industry needs state-of-the-art technology that supports a more operationally efficient lending process and Vesta delivers.

“Our modern platform helps lenders reduce costs, improve loan quality, and deliver a superior customer experience. Our collaboration with a market leader like Pennymac will set a new standard, driving a new era of lending and elevating the entire mortgage process for the industry as a whole.”

After the bill takes effect in March, credit bureaus will still be able to sell trigger leads to a borrower’s current mortgage lender, loan servicer, or any bank or credit union they have an account with.