Author: Michael Murray

Mini Market Watch   It is a 99% certainty that the Reserve Bank will drop interest rates again today to the new record low of 0.5%. Whether this will be enough to stimulate the wider economy and not just the…

The never-ending saga of what to do about Short Term Holiday Letting is at the end of another cycle. This topic has been around the block almost as many times as the Byron bypass. Council is recommending a blanket 90-day…

Since mentioning regenerative agriculture in a recent blog, this topic has taken on a life of its own. It looks like it’s time for a whole article on this subject.   What is Regenerative Agriculture? According to Wikipedia, Regenerative Agriculture is…

Electric  Kool-Aid Kombi Test Byron local Alex Bosin is doing the transition to electric vehicles Byron style. Being an ex-airline engineer for Lufthansa, he has converted his beloved Kombi to be fully electric. Besides enjoying the ride himself he also…

Readers may be interested to see this article which ran in the Qantas magazine. I am sure the last thing many Mullum residents want is for ‘The Biggest Little Town In Australia’ to be known as ‘The New Byron’. And…

As we head into the start of 2020, the property market is quickly recovering from the price falls that were experienced in 2019. Byron Bay dropped 8% for the year ending Sept 2019. However, it is interesting to put that…

A while ago I was showing some overseas visitors around Byron. We strolled up to the carpark at the top of Jonson Street. It was sunset and sky was turning a rich, glorious pink. Surfers were peeling down the swell…

Celeste Barber buys in Tweed Actor, comedienne and Instagram sensation, Celeste Barber has purchased a penthouse unit in a 1980 block overlooking Rainbow Bay in Tweed Heads. Ms. Barber grew up in Terranora just inland from Tweed so it is…

Buying a home is expensive, with purchasers paying stamp duty, conveyancing, and legal fees, not to mention the huge deposit required. So would you really want to pay more for something you could do yourself? Buyers agents work for buyers…

Citizen Lottery Byron Shire has a bad case of ‘some people know best’ syndrome. The Council wants to broaden the range of the community consultation process. This follows on from the success of the citizen juries or the ‘Byron Model’…

Beach Hotel Sells   The iconic Beach Hotel – The Beachie – has found a new owner. Investment company Moelis have an exclusivity agreement to buy The Beach Hotel in Byron Bay. The agreed price is just over $100 million….

The Byron area is continually going through growth and changes. Not everyone is happy about this so there may be some consolation in knowing what these changes may look like. Predicting the future is pretty random and unscientific. But science…

Street Camping Around this time of year, the topic of illegal camping often raises its dreadlocked head. Byron is a popular place all year round but in summer and school holidays it is a traffic jam of backpacker station wagons,…

Just as a Buyer’s Agent was an unknown occupation only a few years ago, a Vendor’s Advocate is now gaining awareness and acceptance. Many buyers agents offer vendors advocacy as well. In both situations they can research, give market appraisals…

CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE   Are you exasperated about the lack of action on climate change? Feel like there is nothing you can do? Well you are not alone, and apparently there is something you can do. More and more people…

Childe Street, Belongil Beach John Cornell and Delvene Delany are listing their last remaining block of land at Belongil Beach. This is the final parcel of their one-time 2.3-acre compound bought in 1987 for $375,000. They sold the main chunk…

In last month’s newsletter, we talked about Byron Shire’s Draft Residential Settlement Strategy. This month let’s talk about the Mullumbimby Masterplan. It is worthwhile noting that the Mullum Master Plan is part of a suite of planning documents currently in…

It’s not easy being Green   Last month’s article dealing with some thorny issues around local politics got a good response and some positive feedback. Basically, I was bemoaning the acrimonious division within the local Greens. The way I see…

In the last few weeks of October, spring was well and truly sprung and there is a new energy around. People are certainly thinking about property again. After a fairly lack lustre winter, buyers are on the hunt. The market…

Grand Old Homes of Byron Even though I try not to quote the Murdoch press, The Daily Telegraph did a story on the grand old homes of Byron Bay during September. It featured properties for sale that I have already…

The Beachie – A Pub Like No Other Some Aussie pubs are integral to a town’s character and history. The story of Byron Bay’s Beach Hotel somehow encapsulates the changing fortunes of this area. After going through lots of iterations,…

Politics Schmolitics!   BPS newsletter tries to stay away from politics. But there is one major issue affecting Byron Shire Council that is not receiving scrutiny. We are now less than a year away from the next council election in…

It’s a Plan – at least! Most things fail without a good plan. Byron Shire has had a terrible track record of forward planning. The usual process is for a council’s planning department to release a rural or residential strategy…

Changes to Mullumbimby   Watch out for two major changes in the works for the Biggest Little Town. Apologies to the many who don’t want Mullum to change at all. First is the Mullumbimby Master Plan about to be released….

Byron Bay real estate is still in demand. Here are some of the sales and new listings for the month of September. It will be interesting to see if we get a lot of new product coming online for spring….

The NSW Government is about to introduce a new regulatory framework for Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA). In essence, the government is planning to allow homeowners the right to rent their properties for a maximum of 180 days per year….

HTW Report The latest Herron Todd White (HTW) rural report shows there is an increasing demand for Northern Rivers farm land. Rural lifestyle lots, particularly close to beaches and towns, are highly sought after. Sub Contracting The report highlights the…

All the signs show that the housing market in Sydney and Melbourne is having a stellar return to form. Prices have jumped a remarkable 1.6% in August and buyer confidence has returned. This sentiment is yet to move north as…

The Last Days of The Disco Dong The phallus-shaped silver sculpture at the Bayshore Drive roundabout is at the beginning of its end. After much public outcry, Council has voted to have it removed. Two mistakes were made. After choosing…

Watching Byron Council go through its ongoing dramas is a like watching a couple having a domestic argument. It’s uncomfortable and unpleasant, but somehow intriguing. Will it resolve or turn ugly? Neither really happens but it just goes on and…

Since there is no practicing exclusive Buyers Agent between Ballina and Newcastle, I am sometimes asked to head that way. I have researched and purchased property for people in places like Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie. But Yamba and Angourie are…

Cedar House, 140 Dalley St Mullumbimby This grand old example of turn of the century Edwardian architecture is a Mullumbimby masterpiece. Locals would have driven past it on the corner of Dalley and Fern St – opposite the Drill Hall…

Obviously climate change is an urgent global issue and our government is dragging the chain on constructive action. Meanwhile, many Byron locals are passionate about being part of the solution. Last month local activist group ZEB (Zero Emissions Byron) held…

Growing up, my cousin’s family lived in Lismore. Every few years there would be a serious flood and my uncle’s chemist shop in the centre of town would be a disaster area. They would take months to get back to…

We love it that our Byron Shire is appreciated and is included in Leunig cartoons. So, here’s a bit of shameless gossip and some homes that are HOT on our local market! The Hemsworth Hovel   Major film actor and…

This article has been lifted from The Sydney Morning Herald Domain Section April 12 2019, and written by Lee Dashiell:  I don’t do suburbia. I like to be either in and amongst it all or completely away from it all….

Overview The local property market has had a dull patch heading into winter and prior to the election. Many property commentators were of the opinion that the coalition win would be good for the market. The bad press around negative gearing…

Pass The Bypass Glad to see the Byron Bypass is finally going to proceed. This project has been on the drawing board for as long as I can remember. Many people still question its worth. I understand if you just…

A record price for Byron There has been a new record residential sale price set in Byron Bay. 11 Marine Parade Wategos Beach, known as Wategos House, has just sold for $18.85M. The same property set the previous record of…

It is great living here in the Northern Rivers and enjoying the green rolling hills and natural beauty. But for many of us, this natural wonder comes with a downside. The fresh air is often full of moulds, pollen and…

Reading the property market now depends on where you live and who you are talking to. Everything is location specific and it is hard to get the right info each specific city or region. Reading national news or listening to…

TIME TO VOTE May 18th is a big day for politicians, lobbyists and shouty radio shock jocks. Babies can start to relax as getting kissed by strange men in suits will decline.  Bizarre ads and shocking behaviour from Queenslanders (north…

Many Byron Bay-based individuals and businesses have a strong connection to Sri Lanka. As one of them, the recent catastrophe in the county I love has hit me very hard. I have been attempting to work through the various thoughts…

Olivia Newton-John home on the market   Two years after Olivia Newton-John shot to fame on the back of the 1978 film, Grease, she flew to Ballina to look for refuge. She bought a property north of the township of…

I have a love affair with a dead architect called Geoffrey Bawa. This love affair goes hand in hand with my passion for Sri Lanka, since Bawa is Sri Lanka’s pre-eminent architect. He died in 2003, and his work has…

As a vendor’s advocate, I often have to advise a seller on how to best present their home. Many owners are just about to do the most expensive and least beneficial things. 9 out 10 times it is best not…

Brunswick Heads Set For Sea Change #2 The popular TV series from the 90s, Sea Change, is getting a reboot and will be filmed in Brunswick Heads. Local producer, Deb Cox, and production company, Every Cloud Productions, will once again…

Jonson St. Byron Bay The main street of Byron Bay will be seeing some changes over the next few years. A lot of this transformation will be driven by the Byron Masterplan process, which began a few years ago. But…

Where, not when. Terry Ryder from Hotspotting: Here’s the dumbest question an investor can ask: is this a good time to buy real estate? The question shows a fundamental and dangerous lack of understanding about property. A much smarter question…

There is lots of chatter in the media about a property crash. Property prices are either booming or busting – both scenarios are good for selling papers and creating click bait.  Our local property market has certainly cooled from last…

Unique Estates Principal Fronts Court Nicolette Van Wijngaarden appeared in the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney last Thursday. The former principal of luxury real estate agency, Unique Estates, is facing 10 charges of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception,…

Infrastructure delivery The Victorian Government achieved a stunning success at the recent state elections. The Andrew’s Labour Government proclaim themselves to be Australia’s most progressive government and are being rewarded for delivering on that agenda. One area where they are…

What should a good financial planner/adviser be doing in this present market/environment to assist a client. An adviser needs to be genuinely empathetic to listen well; have experience with all phases of life; and clarify any issues and opportunities with…

Such variety of Byron Bay hot properties for December/January… Kooringal, Federal This magnificent estate (pictured) is on 26 acres just outside of Federal. The home is much more than just the four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms that is listed. It has…

  The founder of Unique Estates, Nicolette van Wijngaarden, could go to jail for up to 10 years if found guilty. Fifteen charges of fraud have been made against the previously successful real estate agent who ran the luxury brand….

Blackwood House, 78 Owenia Way, Broken Head This property is in the feature shot heading this article. It was recently sold by Frank Mlikota and Tim Miller from Parkinson’s for $3.8M. Tim Miller is now with Parkinson’s after a long stint…

Market Watch Generally, the national market is trending down. Melbourne and Sydney are in the doldrums. Sydney median house prices have come down around 8% and Melbourne is off by 5.2%.  A prime market indicator is the auction clearance rate….

  A gasoline engine has 20,000 individual parts. An electric motor has 20. Electric cars are sold with lifetime guarantees and are only repaired by dealers. It takes only 10 minutes to remove and replace an electric motor. Faulty electric…

The short-term holiday letting debate (STHL) has done yet another circuit around the ring. This time the NSW gov have done their best to bed the problem down. Only time will tell whether this new piece of legislation will be…

Market watch The national media continue to misrepresent the property market. It is true that Sydney and Melbourne are in decline and have seen a reduction in median price since this time last year (6% Sydney, 3.5% Melbourne). But as…

Monster landed on Seven Mile Beach Hollywood actor, Chris Hemsworth and Spanish wife Elsa Pataky, are spending close to $9M on their massive beach house. The property is on Seven Mile Beach just south of Broken Head. Some locals are…

WHAT SHOULD A VENDOR TELL YOU? Buying a house is probably one of the most important purchases a person will make. Many people think the vendor is required to disclose matters that affect the property value, particularly if the buyer…

NEW TECHNOLOGY With new technology making it easier than ever before for home buyers and investors to research property, buyer’s advocates say there are hidden flaws that require an experienced eye and an expert inspection to avoid costly mistakes. Real…

Byron Shire Council loves to be different. We are the rebels in the pack who like to do things our way. Whether it is changing Australia Day or clocking up the biggest legal bills at the Land and Environment Court,…

Byron Bay real estate – market watch So far, the Byron Bay real estate remains firm. There is still a deep demand for good property and buyers are prepared to pay over market value for good stock. This includes anything…

WHAT IS A MOST LIVEABLE CITY? Melbourne lost its “most liveable city” title and is confronting being runner-up to Vienna after seven years at the top. These rankings are based on The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index, which “assesses…

168 Tandy’s Lane Tyagarah This is the stand out Byron Bay Hot Property for this month. The Cape Retreat is one of the most beautiful properties in the bay. It sits at the end of Tandys Lane, Tyagarah looking over…

There is no simple auction strategy that will guarantee a win. Basically, its the last person standing. But there are a lot of little tips and tactics that can be employed to assist a win at an auction. The best…

Tourism Contribution Lots of issues animate our local residents. One of them is the Byron Bay bed tax – or how to get tourists contribute to the upkeep of the place. Byron Bay gets over two million visitors every year….

Byron Bay Property Market Watch I will be watching our local market over the next couple of months with great interest. We had a slight blimp over the end of the financial year period, but generally property here is remaining…

Two unrelated stories hit my in-tray this week. It did not take much imagination to see how they are connected. Migration growth and the medium density zoning. Join the dots. The first story outlined how the new state gov planning…

I find working with people and their journeys through real estate endlessly fascinating. I know many people think it would be a boring industry to be in but thats not true! Dealing with people, their homes and large amounts of…

A selection of interesting Hot Property listings on the market in August. 18 Tincogan St Mullumbimby This is one of the grand old homes of Mullumbimby. Built in the 1890s, this stately old home has 12 foot, pressed metal ceilings…

Unique Estates Update Bankrupted real estate agent, Nicolette van Wijngaarden, principal of the luxury agency, Unique Estates, recently surfaced in Melbourne. It seems Ms Wijngaarden took a job with Melbourne agency Dingle Partners, selling units through five agencies in inner-city Melbourne….

Most of last month I was on the road in Sri Lanka. These days you can be anywhere with an internet connection and still run a business. I moved into a new hotel every other day, set up my laptop,…

Byron Bay real estate news: Barebones Gallery, Bangalow Barebones art gallery and residence in Bangalow has been sold. It’s on 304 square metres at 44 Byron Street. Barebones Gallery was run by Ruth Ryan, and her daughter Karen, and became a…

The liquidator is part way through the long process of wrapping up the Unique Estate mess. The ATO is the biggest creditor after the collapse of the leading Australian boutique estate agency. It ceased trading earlier this year with PPB recently appointed…

July Byron Bay Real Estate News: Byron winter festival season, Council’s new general manager, Mullumbimby gateway revitalisation, South Byron sewerage, more industrial estates, and Byron wedding issues. Byron Council Biz: New General Manager The Byron Council GM Ken Grainger, retired…

When it comes to home buying mistakes, I’ve observed just about every one there is. Some examples are; letting a great home slip through your fingers because of indecision; putting agents and vendors offside; getting emotional; being too influenced by a…

Such an interesting property market at the moment it needs a whole article on its own. Sydney and Melbourne trend In Australia, there is currently no single market but a patchwork-quilt of different areas. One area can be in high demand,…

Coorabell Springs, Keyes Road, Coorabell Keyes Road, Coorabell is seeing a bit of rural development. Firstly the site of Rocking Horse Music Studios has had a facelift and is getting bookings for music recording with accommodation attached. Its great the…

Dramatic developments in the ongoing Short-Term Holiday Letting (STHL) saga came to the fore last month. Just when NSW state government was about to introduce their brand new policy, everything went pear-shaped and the excrement hit the air circulation device….

If you are familiar with the television program MythBusters, you know their goal is to put to test myths and urban legends that have been going around for donkey’s years and prove whether they are right or just that –…

WHO’S CREATIVE? WE ARE. New research from the Regional Australia Institute has shown that Byron Bay is the most creative region in Australia outside of the capital cities. Duh! I hope they didn’t pay a heap of consultants lots of…

Luxury, barefoot elegance, and the ultimate in clean living: Byron Bay hot property continues to offer opportunities for chilled-out lifestyles. Here’s our local knowledge on how you can get into your happy place, and other possibilities in the Byron Bay…

Pricing your home for sale Pricing your home for sale is tricky and requires finding the right balance. A low price point will encourage a quick sale but you could walk away with a sum below true market value. Listing…

Market Update The Byron Bay real estate market is steady as she goes. There is still ongoing demand for good property in good locations. The expected rise in product and new listings as we move into winter did not eventuate…

The Byron Bay real estate market is increasingly competitive; buyers are savvy and often not prepared to compromise. Spending extra time in styling, presentation and marketing could be worth it at the end of the day. Here are 10 hot…

I often go on about how good we have it here, but Byron Shire is not without issues and problems. It may be a first world problem as it is difficult being so popular? How do we protect what we…

Byron Bay Hot Property Picks 104 Yagers Lane, Skinners Shoot This is a truly remarkable property and a dream home for the lucky new owner. If you leave Byron Bay town along Skinners Shoot Road and turn left near the…

I occasionally get asked whether it’s a good idea to build a studio or a granny flat. It depends a lot on your individual circumstances but in this article I give some info that may help with the decision-making process….

Belongil Dreaming Byron Bay hot property includes ten vacant blocks of land on Belongil Beach Byron are back on the market. The valuable parcel of land was being offered up in one piece for a while with a price tag…

Upmarket real estate agency Unique Estates has bitten the dust. The principal, Nicolette Van Wijngaarden, founded the agency in Byron Bay in 2009 and it grew to seven offices including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast and Hong Kong. The agency concentrated…

Sydney based buyer’s agent, Patrick Bright from EPS Property Search, has written a book giving excellent tips on buying or selling at an auction. This is an excerpt from “An Insiders Guide to Saving Thousands at Auctions: and available online….

Byron Hospital site Jury may be still out on whether the Mullumbimby hospital site is worth a dollar. But the Byron Bay Hospital may have an interesting future and will certainly be worth more than a dollar. NSW Health Minister…

The Northern Rivers Community Foundation had its grants recipient event last month. The NRCF gives away over $200,000 to worthy community groups every year. One of the recipients for 2017 was the Disabled Surfing Association who got nifty beach wheelchairs….

25 Friday Hut Road, Tintenbar This modern contemporary home On Friday Hut Road Tintenbar just sold for $2.18 million in March. It made the Homely.com.au list of most spectacular Aussie Homes sold in 2017. Boasting countryside vistas, an infinity edge…

As a property buyer’s agent for nearly 20 years, I get to spend a lot of OPM – that means other people’s money. That may sound like fun, but it comes with responsibilities and obligations. It also requires a degree…

Australia’s population is closing in on 24.7 million following its biggest quarterly jump in nine years, but the counters presenting that impressive figure have a hefty blind spot. In fact, it’s really only half the story. The Bureau of Statistics reports…

An Ocean Shores auction last Saturday. Photo Jeff Dawson The boom in the local housing market has spread to the fringes of Byron shire and beyond, with new figures suggesting house prices in our outer suburbs and towns have jumped dramatically in…

Byron Central As mentioned in Round the Traps, the hot market has settled a little in Byron Bay town. Especially what is know as the Golden Grid. These are the blocks east of the CBD bordered by Marvel, Ruskin and…

Around The Traps – November Round Up As always, the local property market is not uniform.  Byron Bay is probably overcooked and is slowing just like Sydney. Towns like Brunswick, Bangalow and Mullumbimby are still hot and there are multiple…