Ultra modern homes are replacing post-war cottages in this emerging suburb, where median house values are now $1.5 million, up from $627,500 a decade ago.

Wavell Heights, which is about 12.1km from the Brisbane CBD, is fast becoming unrecognisable, as builders and developers transform the family-friendly suburb from middle-ring drab into inner-city chic.

Coronis Ascot agent Oliver Jonker is marketing 55 Aveling Street at Wavell Heights, an architecturally-designed ultra modern home that was the result of a collaboration between The Artificial and Ellcon Constructions.

It offers five bedrooms, three bathrooms, including a children’s wing on the main living area, a guest suite downstairs and a private parent’s retreat with a study/nursery, walk-in robe and a luxurious ensuite.

Digital marketing consultant Tamara Ehlerth and her electrician husband Brent demolished a tired three bedroom post-war house to make way for the new build.

They worked with architect firm The Artificial and Ellcon Constructions.

“It was replaced due to the usual wear and tear you see in a post war home,” Tamara said.

“We wanted to build something for our family before moving onto our next project and we wanted to maximise the views, bring in the greenery from the surrounding area to add some privacy and natural elements, and really have it open, light and airy.”

The couple had a renovation under their belt but it was their first new build.

Their next project is an older house in the same suburb.

“We love the area,” Tamara said.

Mr Jonker said that Wavell Heights was coming of age.

“I have the highest sale price in Wavell Heights at $3.79 million and that was to a buyer living in penthouse in Highgate Hill,” he said.

“Most of what is being built in the area is developers so this one (Aveling St) is special as it was built by a family for a family.”

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Mr Jonker said that interest in the suburb was mostly coming from outside of the suburb itself.

“A lot are moving from Ascot, Hamilton and Clayfield,” he said.

“Here they are getting bigger blocks, views and designer homes.”

He added that interest in the Avenell property had so far come from interstate, including a “very interest family in Adelaide,”, Hong Kong and inner-city Brisbane suburbs.

The median age of those who call Wavell Heights home is now 37, with just 16.55 per cent of the population aged over 60.

Mr Jonker is also marketing 18 Barker St, a brand new residence that replaced a tired house.

Meanwhile. Ray White Aspley Group agent Dwight Colbert has listed a brand new

Queenslander-style home at 92 Cressey St, and LJ Hooker agent Richard Mirosch is marketing a designer home at 26 Zeehan St.

Each one replaced a tired older home within the sought-after suburb, where home values have shot up 10 per cent in 12 months.

Data from realestate.com.au shows that for every listing in Wavell Heights there are, on average, 3450 interested buyers.

55 Aveling St goes to auction on Saturday, November 1, an 1pm.

The post Post war to phwoar: Rapid home overhauls in hot Brisbane suburb appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The price paid for this Mt Barker home will directly support an Australian charity that’s been helping children and their families for the last 50 years.

Set in the Emerald Way estate in Mt Barker’s east, the four-bedroom home is being auctioned off to support Variety – the Children’s Charity, thanks to some generous donations from the builder, estate developer, and others in the community.

Urban Edge SA built the home, which sits on a 495m2 at 2 Emerald Way, Mount Barker. The builder, together with Emerald Way Land Developments, has partnered with Century 21 SA and marketing firm Adelady to sell it at a no-reserve auction on 21 November.

The whole effort has a big goal: to raise more than $1 million for the charity through the net proceeds of the auction, sponsorships and further fundraising happening through this campaign.

Variety will be the recipient of this mammoth effort, with the funds supporting its work with kids and their families facing challenges through sickness, disadvantage or living with disability.

For Joe Belperio, director of the Emerald Way estate, the cause is one that’s close to his heart. The house has been named “Amelie” after the daughter he and his family tragically lost at age three.

“Amelie’s passing left a void in our hearts. Creating this home in her memory allows us to transform our grief into a beacon of hope for other families. It’s our way of giving back to those in need as we know what it’s like to walk in their shoes,” Mr Belpiro said of the project when it was first announced.

He added that for some time he has been hoping to assist children “who may need special help in their journey”. 

Urban Edge SA director Ameen Farah said that many thoughtful hours of planning and design had gone into the creation of this home, with the project having been in the works for several years.

“The Amelie is designed to nurture family life. Its thoughtful layout includes a spacious entertainer’s kitchen, open-plan living areas, a guest bedroom with an ensuite on the lower level, and a tranquil alfresco area – perfect for unwinding,” he said. 

The home will hit the block with no reserve price, with proceedings set to start at 8:30am on 21 November. 

Are you interested in learning more about what’s happening inside Australia’s new developments? Check out our dedicated New Homes section.

The post No-reserve auction in Adelaide Hills hopes to go big for charity appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The historic Point Lonsdale home of Australia’s second prime minister Alfred Deakin has been listed for sale despite a long-running campaign to bring it into public hands.

The heritage-listed house named Ballara, meaning resting place, was designed and built during Deakin’s second term as prime minister in 1907 and became an important retreat where he would read, write and develop political ideas.

His wife Pattie designed the native gardens and established the Point Lonsdale War Memorial on the property, which has been passed down through descendants and is now retained by 10 brothers and cousins.

But in recent years some had sought to sell their stake in the 1.68ha property, which sparked a long-running campaign to have Ballara bought into public hands.

But VCAT set a deadline for the campaign to save the property after one of the owners asked for an order a sale.

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The property had been valued at $8m but great-grandson Tom Harley said $4m has been raised in pledges from locals, family members, the Borough of Queenscliffe, philanthropic supporters, with the understanding of a matched commitment from the Commonwealth needed to secure the property for community use.

Mr Harley said agreement had been secured with Deakin University to manage Ballara for the community, while family will also establish a $500,000 trust to support future upkeep.

The property is listed for sale with price hopes from $7.5m to $8.25m, with expressions of interest closing on December 9.

Elders Geelong agent Peter Lindeman said the property is of exceptional national, cultural, and environmental significance.

“Offered for the first time in 117 years, this estate embodies the rare harmony of heritage, nature, and legacy.

“To own Ballara is to become a custodian of a story woven into the very fabric of our nation,” he said.

Mr Lindeman said its walls quietly hold the echoes of conversation, contemplation, and nation-making.

“Ballara is more than a home, it’s a living chapter of Australia’s history, crafted by Alfred and Pattie Deakin as their coastal sanctuary and place of reflection.

Within its rooms, original furnishings, artworks, and photographs remain as they were left, preserving the very essence of Deakin himself, Mr Lindeman said.

The property’s 1.68ha scale is one of the last original bush blocks within the Point Lonsdale township, which Mr Harley had feared could be lost.

Mr Lindeman said the native garden holds she-oaks, grass trees, moonahs and tea trees shelter heaths and rare orchids, forming a living museum of coastal flora and is a precious remnant of Bellarine heathland.

The post Alfred Deakin’s Point Lonsdale home listed for sale appeared first on realestate.com.au.

In today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape, mortgage lenders and servicers are facing intense pressure to expand access to credit while maintaining sustainable risk practices. A growing strategy to meet this challenge is the rise of fintech–nonprofit partnerships. These collaborations not only open new doors for underserved borrowers but also provide lenders with scalable tools to grow and retain their customer base. The emerging trend suggests a shift from viewing underserved consumers as high-risk to seeing them as future-ready homeowners with the right support.

Why partnerships are emerging now

The affordability crisis and tightening credit standards have created a vast population of would-be borrowers who fall just short of qualification. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, nearly one in three U.S. adults is considered “credit invisible” or has a subprime score, effectively excluding millions from traditional lending pipelines. For lenders, dropping these applicants represents not only a lost customer but also a missed opportunity to build long-term relationships.

Fintechs bring data-driven platforms, automation, and digital user experiences. Nonprofits bring mission-driven counseling, trust, and deep experience with vulnerable consumers. Together, these strengths create an integrated model that can be embedded into mortgage origination and servicing platforms. The result: declined applicants are not lost but redirected into structured programs that help them become loan-ready.

A growing movement

Across the housing industry, nonprofits, housing counselors, and fintech firms are joining forces to close the gap between financial readiness and mortgage access. Organizations like Money Management International (MMI) and other HUD-approved counseling agencies are collaborating with technology providers to embed financial wellness tools directly into lender and servicer platforms. This helps more borrowers move from education to eligibility.

Similar efforts are taking shape nationwide. National nonprofits are working with financial institutions and digital platforms to help Gen Z overcome financial barriers and to expand mortgage access among Latino households, one of the fastest-growing groups of first-time buyers.

Together, these partnerships represent a larger movement in housing — one focused on integrating financial education, technology, and lending into a unified ecosystem. Inclusive lending is no longer a side initiative; it’s becoming a central strategy for growth and long-term market stability.

The industry-wide challenges these partnerships address

For lenders, the difficulty lies not only in originating loans but in ensuring long-term performance. Borrowers who enter homeownership without adequate preparation are more likely to default, creating costly servicing challenges. Partnerships that integrate credit-building, debt management, and financial education directly address these risks by producing more resilient borrowers.

At the same time, lenders face reputational and regulatory pressure to demonstrate progress on equity and inclusion. By embedding nonprofit partners into their ecosystems, institutions can show measurable outcomes – such as higher homeownership rates among underserved households or reduced delinquency rates – aligning business goals with social impact.

How widespread are these models?

While still emerging, the model is spreading. According to the Urban Institute, more than half of major mortgage servicers now partner with housing counseling agencies in some capacity, often facilitated through HUD programs. What is new is the direct integration of fintech platforms that make these services seamless, trackable, and scalable.

Early adopters are positioning themselves ahead of the curve. As technology and regulation evolve, these partnerships could become standard expectation rather than a differentiator.

What lenders, servicers, and fintechs should consider

For institutions considering these partnerships, several key questions arise:

• Integration: How easily can nonprofit counseling and fintech tools be embedded into existing digital platforms and customer workflows?
• Measurement: What data will be collected to demonstrate improved borrower readiness, retention, and performance?
• Trust: How will the institution ensure that services are ethical, unbiased, and aligned with consumer well-being?
• Sustainability: What funding models will support these partnerships, particularly in scaling beyond pilots?

Pitfalls to avoid

While promising, these models come with risks. Poorly designed integrations can create friction, frustrating both customers and staff. Partnerships that lack transparency may expose lenders to reputational risk, especially if consumers feel they are being steered toward services that primarily benefit the institution. Finally, overreliance on technology without sufficient human counseling may fail to meet the needs of vulnerable borrowers who require hands-on support.

Looking ahead: The evolution of collaboration

The next phase of these partnerships is likely to include:

• Deeper data sharing: Secure, compliant data exchange will allow lenders and nonprofits to track borrower progress in real time, improving outcomes.
• Broader service ecosystems: Beyond mortgage and loan prep, platforms may include tools for rental history reporting, emergency savings, and student loan repayment—addressing the full financial life cycle.
• Policy alignment: As regulators emphasize fair lending and consumer protection, partnerships that demonstrate clear consumer benefit will gain policy support, potentially unlocking new funding streams.

A new standard for inclusive lending

Fintech–nonprofit collaborations are no longer just an interesting experiment, but rather a valuable tool for lenders who want to grow responsibly while addressing systemic barriers to homeownership. As the financial ecosystem evolves, the winners will be those who see underserved consumers not as “unqualified” but as “future-qualified” borrowers.

In redefining mortgage success, the metric is no longer just profitability. It is the ability to expand access sustainably, retain customers long term, and transform lives along the way.

Helene Raynaud is Senior Vice President of Housing Initiatives at Money Management International (MMI).
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HousingWire’s editorial department and its owners. To contact the editor responsible for this piece: zeb@hwmedia.com.

The ongoing federal government shutdown is starting to weigh on housing markets with large concentrations of federal employees, according to Realtor.com’s October Monthly Housing Report.

While national housing trends remain mostly steady, early signs of hesitation have emerged in metro areas such as Washington, D.C., Virginia Beach, Baltimore and Oklahoma City.

“At this stage, the housing market effects of the federal shutdown appear localized and modest,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist for Realtor.com. “In markets like Washington, D.C., Virginia Beach, Oklahoma City and Baltimore, where many households rely on federal employment, we’re seeing buyers take a brief step back as uncertainty persists.

“However, home prices and inventory trends in these areas continue to move in line with broader national and regional patterns, suggesting that the overall market remains steady for now.”

New listings take a hit, price dips typical

Federal employment accounts for 11% of the labor force in the D.C. metro area, 7% in Virginia Beach, 4.2% in Oklahoma City and 3.7% in Baltimore, the report shows.

Realtor.com data show that new listings dropped in October in these markets — down 13.9% in D.C., 5.1% in Virginia Beach, 1.4% in Oklahoma City and 2.4% in Baltimore.

Online home searches in those areas also fell between 8% and 12% as prospective buyers paused amid uncertainty over paychecks and job security.

Slight month-to-month price declines in several shutdown-affected metros appear consistent with typical fall cooling rather than evidence of a broader downturn.

“While the current data points to only mild, localized effects, the longer the shutdown persists, the more likely it is that these markets and potentially others with smaller shares of federal workers could see more meaningful impacts on buyer demand, seller activity and transaction timelines,” Hale said.

Home prices were mostly flat nationwide, with the median list price at $424,200, up 0.4% year-over-year. Price reductions appeared on 20.2% of listings — slightly higher than last year — as homes spent longer on the market.

The typical home was listed for 63 days in October, five days more than a year ago but roughly in line with pre-pandemic averages.

Inventory on the rise

Nationally, the number of homes for sale in October rose 15.3% from a year earlier — the 24th straight month of annual inventory gains — but growth has been slowing for several months.

Listings have now topped 1 million for six consecutive months, but national supply remains about 13% below pre-pandemic levels.

Inventory increased in all major U.S. regions — with the West rising 17.4%, the South 17%, the Midwest 12.2% and the Northeast 8.9%.

Among large metros, Washington, D.C., saw the biggest annual inventory gains at 38.2%.

“In October, homebuyers had more options to choose from, but the pace of inventory growth continued to cool after two years of steady gains,” Hale said. “Sellers are pricing with more flexibility as price cuts remain common, and homes are spending slightly more time on the market — signs that conditions are gradually shifting toward a more balanced market.”