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$2 billion lotto win tears family apart

<p>A man who won one of the biggest lottery jackpots in American history has been accused of cutting his family out of their promised share after winning $2 billion (AUD) in the Mega Millions jackpot. </p> <p>The unidentified man has been in a legal battle with his daughter’s mum since November, after he accused her of violating a nondisclosure agreement by telling the rest of the family about his fortune before their daughter's 18th birthday in 2032, according to the Independent. </p> <p>He bought the winning ticket in Lebanon, Maine on January 13 2023. </p> <p>The mum – identified by a pseudonym, Sara Smith – claimed that he was the one who told his family about his lotto winnings, not her. </p> <p>The man's father supported Smith's claim and said that his son told him about the win and all the things he planned to do with his new-found fortune, which he collected through an LLC in a lump sum of over $750 million. </p> <p>“February or March of 2023, my son came to my house … and informed me and my wife that he won a large amount of money in the Maine State Lottery,” his father wrote in new court documents. </p> <p>“I understand that my son has stated that he told me nothing about his money ‘other than the simple fact that I had won’,” the dad wrote. “That is not true.”</p> <p>He also claimed that he didn't ask his son for any money, but the lotto-winner allegedly made a bunch of promises, including building his dad a garage to fix up old cars, buying his childhood home, setting up a million-dollar trust fund and funding future medical expenses for his dad and stepmum.</p> <p>The lotto-winner also allegedly demanded his father to not talk to Smith. </p> <p>"I told him … ‘You are not the son I knew’,” his dad wrote in the filing.</p> <p>“He got angry, calling me a ‘dictator’ and an ‘a**ehole’. I have not heard from my son since, and he has not done any of [the] things he promised.”</p> <p>The half-billionaire refuted his dad and Smith's claims. </p> <p>“I made the mistake of telling my father that I had won the lottery without having him sign a confidentiality agreement,” he wrote. </p> <p>“Our relationship deteriorated quickly thereafter,” he continued.</p> <p>“I did not tell him what I was doing with my money, how I was going to benefit my daughter, or any facts other than the simple fact that I had won.” </p> <p>He also accused his ex-partner of trying to reveal his identity to the world and that she wrongly accused him of trying to kidnap their daughter after he refused to pay for her and her new boyfriend's vacation. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

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Husband and wife with dementia reunite after 30 years apart

<p>A former husband and wife with dementia have been reunited after 30 years apart when they moved into the same care home. </p> <p>Nancy, 86, and Stan, 91, were first married in 1957 in Edinburgh, despite their parents "forbidding" their romance and not approving of their union. </p> <p>The couple went on to have three children and lived happily, until Nancy was nearly killed by a brain haemorrhage when she was in her mid-50s. </p> <p>Nancy had to undergo life-altering surgery and a lengthy recovery time, which ultimately led to the downfall of her relationship with Stan and they filed for divorce. </p> <p>After their split, Stan met another woman when he was in his 70s, while Nancy never had another romance. </p> <p>When Nancy and Stan entered their 80s, they both began to show signs of dementia and could no longer care for themselves. </p> <p>Around Christmas time last year, their daughter Karen made the decision to put her father Stan, who suffered a fall while being cared for in Scotland, in the same home as Nancy, which is where she captured the heartwarming footage of them being reunited.</p> <p>In the clip, Nancy tells Stan he is "not bad looking for his age", while her ex-husband replies, "I recognise your face but I couldn't place who it was".</p> <p>The couple then agree to go on a date together and have a cup of tea, before having a kiss for "old time's sake."</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #323338; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; outline: currentcolor !important;">The video was posted to TikTok by Karen's daughter Sarah-Ashleigh, who spoke to the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13196325/Heartwarming-moment-former-husband-wife-dementia-reunited-care-home-30-years-apart.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a></em> about the family's decision to put both Nancy and Stan in the same care home. </p> <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: currentcolor !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%; outline: currentcolor !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7341697620181519648&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40sarahashleighflorals%2Fvideo%2F7341697620181519648&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-useast2a.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast2a-p-0037-euttp%2F4189e3105ed04778a3de6a83a40077b6_1709372224%3Fx-expires%3D1712448000%26x-signature%3DcpIHZABQ%252FDnAqGU7bJYeryVnJlU%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p>"We were so worried how this would go. It's so good to see them be friends again," she said.</p> <p>"Dementia is a horrible disease, but it's moments like this which we really just hold on to."</p> <p>"Granny struggles a bit more in general and gets anxious and confused but I think having someone there who she knows has done wonders for her."</p> <p>"She's always looking for him (even when he's right next to her) and they sit together a lot and bicker like the married couple they used to be."</p> <p>"Love might not be the same kind of love forever, it is a shape shifter, but it never leaves."</p> <p>"Their marriage didn't last forever but just seeing them have a friendship again just shows that love never dies."</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Caring

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Former home of Kylie Minogue and Michael Hutchence for sale

<p>The stunning Sydney apartment that Michael Hutchence and Kylie Minogue shared for two years has hit the market. </p> <p>The late INXS frontman and the Aussie pop princess lived in the Liverpool Street apartment from 1989 to 1991, with the building boasting a colourful history. </p> <p>The current owner and director of AusMed Innovations Gavin Holland, who owns the Longevity Lounge in Double Bay, believes the picturesque apartment overlooking Hyde Park and the harbour was the scene of some wild parties.</p> <p>“I know that back in those days there was a lot of socialising that went on, for want of a better word,” says Holland.</p> <p>“In this building, there’ve been suicides, murders, famous and infamous people — all sorts of stuff."</p> <p>Despite the past history of the building, the two-bedroom two-bathroom apartment boasts new finishings and stunning views of the city. </p> <p>“But what we’ve done recently is spend two-and-a-half million dollars on refurbishing the rooftop pool and jacuzzi, so that’s obviously an expense the new owners won’t need to fork out.”</p> <p>Hutchence is known to have lived in the apartment with Minogue on level 27, just two floors below the communal rooftop pool, for two years during their whirlwind romance.</p> <p>The apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-sydney-144104704">2704/187 Liverpool Street, Sydney </a>has a $3.3 million guide, and will be auctioned at the end of February. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / realestate.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

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“Meant to be”: Twins give birth just 22 minutes apart

<p dir="ltr">Just days after sharing their 33rd birthday, twin sisters Nicole and Renee Baillie have given birth on the same day. </p> <p dir="ltr">The women, from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, were shocked when they fell pregnant around the same time, with their due dates just two weeks apart. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We magically fell pregnant at the same time, which was crazy,” Nicole told <em><a href="https://7news.com.au/news/sunshine-coast-twins-give-birth-just-22-minutes-apart--c-13517897">7News</a></em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">Nicole was already at the hospital ready to give birth to her baby when Renee went into labour early. </p> <p dir="ltr">Renee rushed to the hospital just in time to give birth in the hospital foyer,  welcoming a baby girl named Ruby.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was just about to have a bath when I heard someone had a baby in the corridor,” Nicole said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I couldn’t believe it,” Renee said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When I got here, into this room after we had (the baby), I wasn’t sure how far along Nicole was. I didn’t want her (Nicole) to know I’d already had my baby, just in case it, like, threw her off.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Renee soon found out Nicole had given birth to a baby boy, named Zavian, only 22 minutes earlier.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I thought I had a few days left, but they decided they wanted to be born on the same day,” Renee said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was just meant to be, and I think everyone has just manifested this happening,” Nicole said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: 7News</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Rebel Wilson shows off the inside of her INSANE Bondi Beach apartment

<p>When you're a superstar like Rebel Wilson, directing and starring in a movie can be tough. But, as the <em>Pitch Perfect</em> actress revealed recently, it can be a whole lot easier when you have Airbnb in your corner, providing you with a luxurious penthouse that feels like a working holiday.</p> <p>Rebel, who is currently in Sydney to make her directorial debut in the film <em>The Deb</em>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CyZRuXyvpUX/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">took to Instagram</a> to showcase the stunning Bondi penthouse she's been staying in with her one-year-old daughter Royce and fiancée Ramona Agruma. And while the jaw-dropping views of Bondi Beach are nothing to scoff at, what really stood out was the repeated shout-outs to Airbnb for "hooking me up".</p> <p>In a series of photos that would make any Instagram influencer jealous, Rebel flaunted the opulent penthouse with 360-degree views of the iconic beach. If that's not enough to make you green with envy, there's also an infinity swimming pool and a barbecue area that screams "I'm on a working vacation".</p> <p>Rebel's fiancée, Ramona, also joined in on the Instagram love, taking to the comment section to thank Airbnb. (Because when Airbnb provides you with a penthouse that oozes luxury, gratitude is really the <em>least </em>you can do.)</p> <p>Initially, Rebel didn't specify if this was a sponsored post. But after <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-photos/inside-stunning-bondi-penthouse-rebel-wilson-has-been-staying-in/news-story/1fe2e7f9ea8ad9e0c935a32d9a0f58a9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au approached Airbnb</a> for a comment, she added the magic letters "ad" to her caption. Well, it seems even celebrities have to adhere to the rules of disclosure – who knew?</p> <p>Rebel's stay in this Bondi Beach haven comes as she takes a break from her usual LA-based lifestyle. She recently <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/property/real-estate/rebel-wilson-lists-home-and-shares-her-favourite-feature" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed her primary Sydney Harbour home</a> for a cool $9 million, which sold for an undisclosed sum in June. She said, "There's something special about this house, its location, its vibe," before explaining that she was working overseas and wanted someone else to appreciate it. </p> <p>In addition to her Australian properties, Rebel also owns a place in London. At least, she told <em>The Sun</em> in 2021 that she "bought a place" there, and then later confirmed her relocation to the British capital in early 2022. It seems like Rebel is collecting homes like some people collect stamps or vintage action figures.</p> <p>Of course, she also has a mansion in the celebrity mecca of Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, which she acquired in 2016. And let's not forget her apartment in New York's swanky Tribeca neighbourhood, which she purchased in 2017. All in all, it appears that Rebel is an international property mogul, and her recent Bondi Beach getaway sponsored by Airbnb is just another entry in her portfolio of luxurious abodes.</p> <p>So, the next time you find yourself gazing out of your office window at a drab cityscape, remember that Rebel is out there living her best life in a Bondi penthouse with a pool and breathtaking views, thanks to Airbnb. Who knew directing a movie could be so relaxing?</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Double murder investigation launched into elderly couple who died a year apart

<p>Detectives are treating the deaths of Brenda and Lynton Anderson, both aged 94, as a double murder, with the main suspect believed to be someone close to the victims. The couple, who were great-grandparents, passed away a year apart under suspicious circumstances.</p> <p>Speaking at a press conference, Detective Inspector Mark McEachern revealed that both deaths were deliberate acts carried out by the same person, who had a close relationship with the Andersons.</p> <p>"Both were deliberately murdered by the same person who was known and close to both of them," Detective Inspector Mark McEachern told reporters.</p> <p>The suspicions arose due to similarities and irregularities found in the toxicology reports of the deceased couple. It was discovered that the presence of certain medications in their systems was unexplained and raised concerns.</p> <p>"The medication that was in there should not have been there, there was no reason for the medication to have been in their system and that's raised concerns in respect of both deaths," McEachern said.</p> <p>Brenda Anderson's demise initially occurred while she was receiving medical treatment at Noarlunga Hospital in March of the previous year. As her condition worsened, she was transferred to Flinders Medical Centre, where she eventually passed away.</p> <p>During the coronial investigation process, her hospital death came under scrutiny when significant abnormalities were found in the toxicology results. After ruling out any innocent explanation for these irregularities, the investigation turned its focus to the possibility of foul play by a third party known to Mrs. Anderson. The police have expressed confidence in the level of care provided by both hospitals.</p> <p>"Mrs Anderson's hospital death was identified during the coronial investigation process after toxicology results gave significant rise for concern.</p> <p>"When an innocent explanation for toxicology abnormalities was eliminated, the possibility Mrs Anderson's death being a deliberate act by another party became the primary subject of the investigation.</p> <p>"It is believed Mrs Anderson was killed by a person known to her and in close enough relationship to have been visiting her while she was in hospital.</p> <p>"Police have no concerns about the level of care in either hospital, which was exemplary," <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">McEachern</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> said.</span></p> <p>In the case of Lynton Anderson, he was discovered unconscious at his residence in Hackham by a caregiver on April 30. He was immediately transported to Flinders Medical Centre by SA Ambulance but succumbed to his condition the following day.</p> <p>Detectives also became suspicious of the toxicology results for Lynton after analysing Brenda's case. However, they have ruled out the involvement of external carers in his death. The police have identified a suspect but declined to provide further details at this stage of the investigation.</p> <p>Authorities are now urging anyone who had contact with the Anderson couple and possesses information related to their deaths and the events leading up to them to come forward. They are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who may have knowledge of any prescribed or non-prescribed medications used by the couple or discussed by them.</p> <p>The community has been left shocked and saddened by the tragic deaths of Brenda and Lynton Anderson. As the investigation into these distressing circumstances unfolds, the hope is that justice will be served and the truth behind these untimely losses will be revealed.</p> <p><em>Images: SA Police</em></p>

Legal

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Melissa Caddick’s parents ordered to vacate

<p dir="ltr">Barb and Ted Grimley, the parents of alleged conwoman Melissa Caddick, have been ordered to vacate their daughter’s Sydney eastern suburbs property within six weeks.</p> <p dir="ltr">The apartment, which is reportedly the last of Melissa’s assets to be sold, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/melissa-caddick-s-parents-at-war-with-fraud-victims">has been the subject of a long-running legal dispute</a> between her parents - who were co-owners of the Edgecliff property after buying a share in it - and her victims. </p> <p dir="ltr">Melissa disappeared in late 2020 after the ASIC raided her Dover Heights home as part of a corporate watchdog investigation into a multi-million-dollar Ponzi scheme, with claims that Melissa had stolen upwards of $23 million. </p> <p dir="ltr">And when it came to the apartment purchased with those funds, the Grimleys claimed that they deserved a larger share of the estate’s proceeds, while those who had suffered from Melissa’s scam argued that the earnings from the apartment’s sale should be split evenly among them. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Grimleys were refusing to leave unless they were paid a sum of $950,000 - which would see them take home most of what they’d allegedly put into the apartment’s $2.25 million mortgage. </p> <p dir="ltr">And on June 5, Federal Court Justice Brigette Markovic proclaimed that Barbara and Ted had to leave the property within a six week timeframe if they wanted to see that $950,000.</p> <p dir="ltr">More than 50 investors were being represented in the ASIC’s Federal Court case, hoping to regain the money they’d lost through the sale of Melissa’s assets. </p> <p dir="ltr">To date, Melissa’s substantial collection of designer clothing, luxury cars, jewellery, and multimillion dollar properties with stunning views of Sydney Harbour have come under scrutiny, with many facing the auction block in Sydney in a bid to repay the investors. </p> <p dir="ltr">Additionally, another order was passed down that would see them get an “interim distribution” of $3 million.</p> <p dir="ltr">Neither the Grimley’s lawyers or the investors’ opposed the “only way forward” settlement, with the latter set to take over the ownership of the controversial apartment once Melissa’s parents have vacated the premises, and will get to work preparing to sell it.</p> <p dir="ltr">And, as some have theorised, the agreement could mark the end of the ASIC investigation. However, Justice Markovice was clear that the identities of the investors would remain confidential until legal proceedings concluded, with the court hearing that they would be classified as interested parties in the following proceedings, as well as Barb and Ted Grimley. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 9News / Nine </em></p>

Legal

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Chris Hemsworth eyeing out Melbourne apartment development

<p>Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth has been spotted checking out a potential Melbourne bolthole, where ex-Socceroo Harry Kewell could be his neighbour.</p> <p>According to<em> The Herald Sun</em>, the Hollywood great was seen eyeing out the construction site of the 103 Beach St, Port Melbourne, apartment development, set to be completed in September 2024.</p> <p>While he hasn’t purchased anything yet, it is understood that Hemsworth is working with a representative to inspect properties for his first Victorian base.</p> <p>The Marvel star is originally from Melbourne and spent his adolescence in Phillip Island but has no known property assets in the state.</p> <p>He and his wife Elsa Pataky currently own an incredible $30 million mansion in Byron Bay, boasting a gym, steam room, media room, games room and 50m rooftop infinity pool with ocean views.</p> <p>Hemsworth is also an avid Bulldogs supporter and has been seen in the past watching his AFL team play at Marvel Stadium.</p> <p>It comes after about a third of the luxury Beach St apartments were swiftly taken from the plan, with those remaining available ranging from $2.7 million up to $18.5m for the penthouse suites.</p> <p>Industry sources claim former Socceroo and Liverpool player Kewell has also engaged a buyer’s agent from Sydney to inquire about the project.</p> <p>Marshall White Projects director Leonard Teplin declined to comment on the identities of prospective buyers but revealed the complex had attracted interest from “some pretty high-profile people” across Australia, including some well-known business personalities who have already purchased.</p> <p>“It’s one of the more popular apartment projects we’ve had,” he said.</p> <p>“The day we went live there were over 400 registrations of interest … and in the first 72 hours it had 83,000 (website) impressions, which is massive.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty / Realestate.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

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Weekend Sunrise host’s pup-tailored property hits the market

<p>Channel 7 Weekend <em>Sunrise</em> host Matt Doran has put his apartment on the market, in the exclusive eastern Sydney suburb of Bellevue Hill.</p> <p>Doran plans to take advantage of the recovery in the cramped winter property market as he failed to sell the two-bedroom apartment in mid-2021.</p> <p>It has a June 24 auction guide of $1.8 million through BresicWhitney agents Maclay Longhurst and Zakir Abdallaoui.</p> <p>After securing the Tresscourt apartment from <em>Sky News</em> presenter Laura Jayes and her husband, former Seven reporter Alex Hart, for $1.385 million in 2017, Doran commissioned a complete remodel by Sydney designer Dylan Farrell.</p> <p>Doran began his “absolute passion project” with art tailored to the home by artist Vicki Lee.</p> <p>“It’s honestly going to be tough to part with this place,” Doran told The Sell.</p> <p>Doran and his wife, Weekend Today executive producer Kendall Bora are yet to purchase.</p> <p>“I bought it before I met Kendall after I moved back from LA. “The redesign was a big job; the lights and doors and windows custom-made … the centrepiece is a sliding steel door to the loungeroom, which needed 12 people to carry up and install.</p> <p>“We also extended the outdoor space, almost entirely to satisfy the demands of the galaxy’s most spoilt and demanding and glorious Italian greyhound, Murphy.”</p> <p>Per PopTrack, the median unit price in Bellevue Hill is $1.357,500, dipping 9.5 per cent over the past year.</p> <p>It is believed that Murphy will have the final say in their next acquisition.</p> <p>Doran and Bora will hold onto the Sunny Corner Cottage, a retreat accessed by boat and Berowra Waters and where they tied the knot in July 2021.</p> <p>The pair paid $1.75 million in 2021 for the 1905 waterfront property and had designer Tasmin Johnson work on its redesign into a luxury private holiday rental and event space.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram / Realestate.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

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Red Symons' ex-wife Elly lists luxe apartment in award-winning Fitzroy House

<p>Australian-Greek community leader Elly Symons has listed her lavish apartment inside the award-winning Fitzroy House complex.</p> <p>Symons was married to TV and radio personality Red Symons for over 25 years before they split in 2016, with their former Fitzroy North home selling for a then-suburb record of $5 million in 2018.</p> <p>She is actively involved in the Australian-Greek community, including her role as vice president of the Australian Parthenon Committee. She co-founded the Acropolis Research Group, which focuses on the restoration of Ancient Greek cultural artefacts.</p> <p>The 2/75 Argyle Street, Fitzroy property has been Symons’ home for the past three years after purchasing it for $1.375m in 2020, according to CoreLogic records.</p> <p>The luxe apartment is now on the market with a price guide of $1.55m-$1.65m ahead of its auction on May 13.</p> <p>It has two bedrooms and is part of architectural firm Piccolo’s development of the heritage-listed corner site known as Fitzroy House, in association with famed architects Jackson Clements Burrows and interior designer Hecker Guthrie, which won a gold award at the 2022 Melbourne Design Awards.</p> <p>The home features marble and oak finishes, with two modern bathrooms including a “resort-style” ensuite and a freestanding bathtub. The kitchen showcases Gaggenau appliances and marble benchtops.</p> <p>Jellis Craig Fitzroy partner Charles Atkins declined to comment on the vendor but shared the home had a “fantastic feel” with a high-standard design.</p> <p>“It has a fabulous terrace facing west which is generous in its proportions,” Atkins said.</p> <p>He added that the listing had attracted interest from several downsizers seeking a place with convenience and lifestyle aspects, as well as a handful of young professionals.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty/Realestate.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

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Bob Hawke’s widow cops loss on luxury apartment

<p dir="ltr">Blanche d’Alpuget, the widow of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, has offloaded her luxury apartment in the heart of Sydney’s CBD after offering a sizable discount.</p> <p dir="ltr">With an initial price guide of $4.3-4.5 million in July, the guide was reportedly adjusted to $4.2 million in September before eventually selling for an unconfirmed $3.73 million, per <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/bob-hawkes-widow-blanche-dalpuget-sells-372m-luxury-pad-in-the-one30-hyde-park-sydney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>realestate.com.au</em></a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">D’Alpuget’s two-bedroom apartment in the One30 Hyde Park tower was sold after she switched listing agents from Ray White to <a href="https://boutiquepropertyagents.com/property/1403-130-elizabeth-street-sydney-nsw-2000/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boutique Property Agents</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The author and journalist moved in after she and Hawke settled on it in March 2019 and sold their waterfront property in Northbridge.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 131-square-metre apartment was originally three bedrooms before being reconfigured, and boasts views of Hyde Park and Sydney Harbour.</p> <p dir="ltr">After the apartment’s sale, d’Alpuget will be moving to the apartment tower next door, having spent $4.6 million on another apartment.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-99872eb3-7fff-9de9-27b3-848aa242d694"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images / Boutique Property Agents</em></p>

Real Estate

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“The gate is a no”: Apartment security gate draws ire online

<p dir="ltr">While security gates are meant to be secure, one installed at a property in the UK has left many questioning just how effective it will be.</p> <p dir="ltr">A photo shared by the account Design Fails shows a security gate that seems fully functional at first glance, but includes a glaring design flaw.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e66f96fc-7fff-e187-a401-03dcf7d48f27"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Though it has locks and an intercom panel, the design of the gate itself lends it to being a handy ladder that could be used to get inside.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">security gate that doubles as a ladder <a href="https://t.co/TQWmZBiyc7">pic.twitter.com/TQWmZBiyc7</a></p> <p>— Design Fails (@epicdesignfails) <a href="https://twitter.com/epicdesignfails/status/1587076092791328768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Security gate that doubles as a ladder,” the photo caption read, with the post soon attracting over 33,000 likes, over 6,000 shares and plenty of comments pointing out its fundamental flaw.</p> <p dir="ltr">“OMG What on mother Earth was the designer’s thought doing that,” one person commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The gym I never thought I needed. I’d purposefully forget my access card,” another joked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Whoever designed this gate heaven is waiting for her/him,” a third shared.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So the thieves can climb over the gate 😑,” one user noted.</p> <p dir="ltr">While some tried to defend the design by pointing out that it could be electrified, others were quick to point out the flaws in that argument too.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If its (sic) electric and still has a key, thats weird. To be a gate and a ladder, while not thinking the violator can climb over the gate too is weird. Saying its electrical and not keeping in mind that its on the street is weird. Only turning it on at night is weird,” one person clarified.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The gate is a no.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e05cfff1-7fff-fca4-5c90-a84d44232244"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Real Estate

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Aussie speedster Steven Bradbury sells luxe apartment

<p dir="ltr">Aussie Olympian Steven Bradbury has sold his beachside investment apartment in Queensland after holding onto it for over a decade.</p> <p dir="ltr">The gold medallist skater listed the four-bedroom ground-floor apartment in the coastal suburb of Kings Beach in Caloundra earlier this year and has gone on to offload the flat for an undisclosed price.</p> <p dir="ltr">After 11 years of owning the apartment, Bradbury initially <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/unit-2-kings-palazzo-4-6-orvieto-terrace-kings-beach-qld-4551-2017750581" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed</a> the home for $2 million in May before agents Danelle Wiseman and Jonathan Pattinson of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate revised the price to $1.8 million, per <em><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/steven-bradbury-times-his-run-perfectly-with-kings-beach-pad-20220517-p5am5r.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sydney Morning Herald</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Even with the reduction, Bradbury’s potential earnings were more than double the amount his investment company, Pricefinder, paid in 2011.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prior to its sale on August 16, the home was maintained as a weekender and rental with an asking price of $660 a week in rent.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sitting just metres aware from the surf of King’s Beach, the 111-square-metre flat includes plenty of luxe amenities, such as its two courtyards - with one on each floor - timber herringbone hard floors in the living areas, and a large granite waterfall bench in the well-appointed kitchen.</p> <p dir="ltr">The flat also has access to the amenities offered by the Kings Palazzo complex, including a pool and BBQ area shared with just 11 other apartments.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bradbury, a four-time Olympian, shot to fame after his unlikely win at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games, getting through the semi-final and earning gold in the final after his competitors all crashed in the final seconds.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite trailing behind them all, Bradbury was able to skate into first place, giving rise to the phrase “doing a Bradbury” for winning as an underdog.</p> <p dir="ltr">Earlier this year, Bradbury took to Instagram to reflect on that fateful win 20 years later.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ll always be seen as an overnight success, but it took me many years of sweat, tears and plenty of blood to get there and I’ll always appreciate those who helped me and backed me against the odds,” he <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CaBaljsvBl5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Courage, belief, determination and a little luck, all helped me to be the original #lastmanstanding, and now it’s fantastic to see our next generation of @ausolympicteam legends taking our Winter Olympic Dream into the future!”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-414adfac-7fff-b93d-0e1b-4618063616c7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: @stevenbradburyofficial (Instagram) / Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate</em></p>

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Hugh Jackman snaps up penthouse for eye-watering price

<p dir="ltr">Hugh Jackman has snapped up a show stopping penthouse in New York City’s Chelsea neighbourhood, just two months after listing a deluxe triplex in Manhattan.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Greatest Showman</em> star bought the four-bedroom condo for $US 21.12 million ($AUD 29.86 million) after it was initially <a href="https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/100-11th-Ave-Ph-A_New-York_NY_10011_M91893-97530" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed</a> late last year for $US 25 million ($AUD 35.35 million), according to the <em><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/hugh-jackman-buys-new-york-city-penthouse-for-21-125-million-11659973523" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wall Street Journal</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 434-square-metre apartment boasts city and river views through 14 floor-to-ceiling windows, a stainless steel kitchen with a glass breakfast bar, and space for a music room, with a piano already set-up.</p> <p dir="ltr">Each of the bedrooms, tucked away at one end of the apartment, include stunning views, with the main bedroom featuring three exposures with views stretching from the Hudson River to the Empire State Building.</p> <p dir="ltr">When it comes to outdoor spaces, the apartment includes a terrace and loggia on the main floor, as well as a sprawling roof terrace including an outdoor kitchen, several dining and lounge areas and views of the Hudson River.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-85902c90-7fff-813a-2cf9-1c49e359a1c7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Housed at the top of a famed building designed by Jean Nouvel, the condo comes with access to an 70-foot lap pool, a fitness centre with a sauna, concierge services and a full-time doorman.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdGK7zbu4UZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdGK7zbu4UZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by @thehughjackman</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Jackman’s luxe new purchase comes after he and his wife, Debora Lee Furness, listed their home in the West Village neighbourhood for a hefty $US 38.9 million ($AUD 55 million).</p> <p dir="ltr">The 1000-square-metre apartment, which featured in a clip of Jackman practising sitting in tails ahead of the Met Gala on his social media in May, has since been taken off the market.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f91d2139-7fff-2c1a-d19b-00627c051af2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: @thehughjackman (Instagram) / Realtor.com</em></p>

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Warnie's luxe digs sell for eye-watering price

<p dir="ltr">The luxe $10 million apartment belonging to the late Shane Warne has reportedly been sold.</p> <p dir="ltr">Located in the deluxe Saint Moritz development in St Kilda, in Melbourne's east, the apartment features elements designed by the cricketer, including that No. 23, his Australian cricket shirt number, be embroidered on fittings throughout.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <em><a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/page-13/shane-warnes-10m-st-moritz-st-kilda-apartment-sold-by-his-family-to-secret-buyer/news-story/59948beb2c3003f773c2f0be0f0e37a3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herald Sun</a></em>, Warne's family arranged for it to be on-sold to a private buyer.</p> <p dir="ltr">The publication reported that a director of clothing brand Cotton On now holds the keys, spending $1 million more than Warne originally did.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Shane was an extraordinary man I cared a lot for and would have loved to have him in the building and his energy,” developer Tim Gurner told the <em>Herald Sun</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have been working with the family to assist wherever possible in the sale of his home.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As with all purchasers we won’t comment on who they are due to the number of high profile owners in the precinct.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are planning a campaign very soon however had a number of buyers interested in Saint Moritz who had missed out so it sold very quickly.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The sale comes amid interest in the $540 million complex from high-profile parties, including AFL personality Sam Newman and businessman Antony Catalano.</p> <p dir="ltr">Its features include a gold class private cinema, a 3000-bottle wine cellar, and a book collection curated by the Queen's librarian which will be shared by residents when construction is completed.</p> <p dir="ltr">It has also claimed the title of one of the most expensive apartment sales in Australia, after Catalano snapped up the complex's penthouse for a hefty $30 million recently.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-04f4a0dc-7fff-4b1d-252b-309272929a09"><em>Images: Instragram, Saint Moritz</em><br /></span></p>

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"This is the devil's work!": Nun pulls apart female models sharing a kiss

<p dir="ltr">A shocked nun caused quite a stir in the streets of Italy when she pulled away two female models who were kissing for a photoshoot.</p> <p dir="ltr">The nun was dressed in a white habit and rushed to stop Serena de Ferrari and Briton Kyshan Wilson who had locked lips in a Naples backstreet as they posed for a photo for Not Yet magazine.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What are you doing? This is the devil's work,” the nun shouted at them as they giggled.</p> <p dir="ltr">She looked around at the cameramen and crossed herself before saying: “Jesus, Joseph and Mary”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Make up artist Roberta Mastalia, who was on the shoot, said they had to ask the nun to leave thinking she was just joking.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We were on location in the Spanish Quarter in Naples, in a little sidestreet with the two models when all of a sudden the nun walked past,” he said, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11027633/Italian-nun-splits-two-female-models-kissing-photoshoot-calling-devils-work.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Mail</a> reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She asked us if we had been to Mass that day and when we said 'No' she started blaming young people for Coronavirus and then she saw the two models posing up ready to kiss and that's when she ran forward to split them up.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our first reaction was we were all stunned. They took it as a bit of a joke and you can see from the video the two girls are laughing.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We then had to ask the nun to leave as we explained we had work to do and she slowly walked off.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Both Serena and Briton shared clips of the incident to their social media with the caption “God doesn’t love LGBT”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Local priest Father Salvatore Giuliano The Church is constantly updating its views but some of the older generation have not yet accepted it.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Swapping stamp duty for land tax would push down house prices but push up apartment prices, new modelling finds

<p>In the state budget, NSW have announced a switch from stamp duty to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-to-phase-out-stamp-duty-introduce-property-tax-20220612-p5at3p.html">land tax</a>.</p> <p>It will become the second Australian jurisdiction to do so, with the ACT halfway through a <a href="https://www.treasury.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1618407/cops-final-report.pdf">20-year</a> switchover.</p> <p>Homebuyers who accept the offer will be taxed annually on the value of their land, instead of hit with an upfront fee (that averaged $50,000 for Sydney in 2018) when they buy.</p> <p>Once they have accepted, their property will be out of the stamp duty system and subject only to land tax for future owners.</p> <p>It’s become conventional wisdom to say that such a revenue-neutral switch would <a href="https://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-10/FFR%20Final%20Report%20-%20200828%20%281%29.pdf">boost productivity</a>.</p> <p>Why? Moving house sets in motion a chain of transactions: residents engage lawyers to transfer titles, real estate agents to manage the property sale, removalists to transport possessions, and so on.</p> <p>Stamp duties compound these costs, by adding a significant, additional layer of taxation, which in some states makes up 80% of the total cost of moving house.</p> <p>Land tax, in contrast, is one of the least-damaging taxes. It encourages land owners to put land to its <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/publication/understanding-the-economy-wide-efficiency-and-incidence-of-major-australian-taxes">highest-value use</a>.</p> <p>In a landmark <a href="https://www.copsmodels.com/ftp/workpapr/g-330.pdf">modelling exercise</a> completed this month, my team at the Victoria University Centre of Policy Studies finds that the productivity gains are large by the standards of tax swaps.</p> <p>After 20 years, replacing stamp duty with a land tax would boost national income by A$0.30 for each dollar of revenue swapped, or up to $720 per household if implemented Australia-wide, about 0.34% of annual gross domestic product.</p> <p>Of greater interest for homeowners and buyers is what it would do to prices.</p> <h2>Houses versus apartments</h2> <p>Broadly, we find that the switch would put downward pressure on prices, but not for every type of home.</p> <p>Across the market as a whole, we expect downward pressure on the price paid by buyers of about 4.7%, and downward pressure on the price received by sellers of about 0.1%.</p> <p>But for houses, we expect much stronger downward pressure than the average suggests.</p> <p>We expect the price paid by house buyers to fall by about 7.6%, and the price received by sellers to fall 3%.</p> <p>Interestingly, for apartments we expect movements in the other direction, pushing up the price paid by buyers by 2%, and pushing up the price received by sellers by 6.4%.</p> <h2>What’s so different about apartments?</h2> <p>Why would the switch put downward pressure on the price of houses but upward pressure on the price of apartments?</p> <p>It is because of how two offsetting effects play out.</p> <p>One is that higher land taxes depress land prices. Buyers who know they will be lumbered with future bills find their purchases less valuable. This effect is much bigger on house prices than apartment prices, because houses occupy more land on average.</p> <p>The other effect is that removing stamp duty not only removes an impost on the current buyer, but also removes an impost that will have to be paid when the current buyer sells, and when the subsequent buyer sells, and so on, making resale more valuable to the current buyer than it would have been.</p> <p>For properties that aren’t turned over often this effect isn’t very important, but for properties that are turned over frequently, it becomes significant.</p> <p>Apartments are turned over twice as frequently as houses, meaning that for apartments the upward effect on prices from removing stamp duty overwhelms the downward effect from imposing land tax.</p> <h2>Much depends on exactly what’s proposed</h2> <p>It would be possible to lessen this upward pressure on apartment prices by imposing higher land taxes on higher density housing, an idea canvassed by the <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/review/the-australias-future-tax-system-review/publications">Henry Tax Review</a> in 2010. Planning and zoning rules could also play a role.</p> <p>Other policy design decisions could have other effects on prices. Our modelling is based on an immediate swap of stamp duty for land tax.</p> <p>This is not the same as the NSW government’s opt-in proposal, which could have different price consequences to the policy we modelled.</p> <p>The NSW government is also reported to be considering excluding the most <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/stamp-duty-move-puts-pressure-on-other-states-20220613-p5ataj.html">expensive 20%</a> of properties from the switchover, so it can continue to collect stamp duties on high-value transfers.</p> <p>In future work we plan to extend our modelling beyond a simple swap of stamp duty and land tax.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/swapping-stamp-duty-for-land-tax-would-push-down-house-prices-but-push-up-apartment-prices-new-modelling-finds-184381" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

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Greta Garbo's eccentric former home hits the market

<p>Hollywood icon Greta Garbo's former New York home has hit the market for an impressive $7.25 million. </p> <p>The stunning three-bedroom, three-bathroom Manhattan apartment retains many of her personal touches and eccentric furnishings, making it stand out from other luxury homes. </p> <p>The apartment last sold for $8.5 million in 2017 after a fierce bidding war, with many fans of the Swedish-American actress expected to be vying for the property this time around. </p> <p>The home boasts large picture windows with spectacular views of the East River, which was said to have reminded Greta of her native Stockholm.</p> <p>It also includes a newly renovated kitchen, dining room, many living areas, and numerous bathrooms, with most rooms boasting an impressive chandelier. </p> <p>The living room – which was Greta's favorite space – includes a gas fireplace and an attached den, while French doors at the far end open to a lovely balcony cooled by river breezes.</p> <p>The primary bedroom suite features Greta's beloved rose-hued Fortuny silk walls and headboard, while a second bedroom includes a pink-and-green-accented V'Soske rug personally designed by the movie star.</p> <p>Greta, who was best known for her roles in <em>A Woman of Affairs</em>, <em>Anna Christie</em>, <em>Romance</em>, and <em>Camille</em>,  died in 1990 at the age of 85, but retired from acting when she was just 35, leading a private life in her New York apartment for 50 years.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Compass Real Estate</em></p>

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