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The Hottest Business Strategy This Summer Is Buying Crypto

It’s the hottest trade of the summer.

Companies are raising tens of billions of dollars, not to invest in their businesses or hire employees, but to purchase bitcoin and more obscure cryptocurrencies.

A Japanese hotel operator, a French semiconductor manufacturer, a Florida toy maker, a nail-salon chain, an electric-bike maker—they’re all ploughing cash into tokens, helping to send all kinds of digital currencies to record levels. News that a new company plans to buy crypto is enough to send its shares flying—spurring others to consider joining the frenzy.

Since  June 1, 98 companies have announced plans to raise over $43 billion to buy bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, according to Architect Partners, a crypto advisory firm. Nearly $86 billion has been raised for this purpose since the start of the year. That’s more than double the amount of money raised in initial public offerings in the U.S. in 2025, according to Dealogic.

Sceptics say the rush of companies buying crypto is a sign the market is overheating, noting that digital tokens, especially the obscure ones, are notoriously volatile and have uncertain futures.

They scratch their heads about why an investor would buy shares of a company purchasing cryptocurrencies when they can buy them on their own through low-cost exchange-traded funds and other vehicles.

Others note that many of these companies are worth much more than the cryptocurrencies they hold, as if investors are willing to pay $2 for a $1 bill.

That hasn’t stopped big-name bankers, investors and others from jumping in. Mutual-fund giant Capital Group, hedge fund D1 Capital Partners and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald are among those backing recent efforts by companies to raise huge sums to purchase cryptocurrencies.

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The company, worth $26 million on June 27, the Friday before its announcement, is now worth over $2 billion after a surge of more than 800%. Thiel, the tech billionaire known for starting PayPal and Palantir, holds a 9.1% stake in the company, according to a recent filing. He declined to comment.

“If you blink, you miss a couple of these deals,” said Bob Diamond, the former Barclays chief executive.

He should know. Last week, an investment firm Diamond co-founded called Atlas Merchant Capital said it was working with Paradigm, D1, Galaxy, 683 Capital and other big investors to form an entity that will spend $305 million to buy a seven-month-old crypto token called Hype. Diamond will be chairman of the new entity, while Eric Rosengren, the former president of the Boston Fed, is expected to be on its board of directors.

“We think Hype is pretty special,” Diamond says.

The new entrants are following in the footsteps of the company once known as MicroStrategy , whose CEO, Michael Saylor , pioneered the so-called crypto-treasury strategy in 2020. Now known simply as Strategy, it has spent years selling shares and debt to buy bitcoin. It is now worth over $115 billion, up 153% in the past year and 3,371% in the past five years.

Saylor has long implored other companies to buy bitcoin with their excess cash. Most everyone ignored or scoffed at the notion. Using spare cash or raising money to buy volatile cryptocurrencies seemed a dicey proposition. Executives who run companies that sell products and services weren’t supposed to speculate on bitcoin. As of last August, just a handful of companies were using their cash to buy any crypto.

That all changed this year. President Trump has embraced crypto, vowing to make America the “crypto capital of the planet.” He has installed crypto-friendly cabinet members, and Congress has advanced legislation that could make cryptocurrencies part of the mainstream financial system. Trump Media and Technology Group, the social-media firm controlled by the president’s family, has also bought about $2 billion worth of bitcoin and related securities as part of its treasury strategy.

Lately, companies have been taking things further than even Saylor ​suggested—buying overlooked or unknown digital currencies, not to diversify their ​holdings but to make outright wagers on risky tokens. Even Saylor is unsure that’s a wise move.

“Applying a treasury strategy to other crypto assets introduces a different—and often speculative—risk profile,” Saylor said in an email. “I haven’t seen a compelling rationale for doing so.”

Some bears are wading into the frenzy, including well-known short seller Jim Chanos, to bet against some of these companies.

“In my three decades experience I have never witnessed a period where investors are willing to pay such large premiums for assets they can readily purchase on their own,” says Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading.

Big companies, including tech giants Meta and Microsoft, have resisted the idea, as have their investors. Shareholder proposals at both companies sought to add bitcoin to their balance sheets at recent annual meetings, but were overwhelmingly voted down. Meta and Microsoft’s boards of directors recommended voting against the proposals to invest in bitcoin.

The companies that are taking the plunge are being transparent about their plans to raise cash and put it all in crypto. They argue that they can do things ​an ETF cannot, such as “stake” tokens, or lock them up for a specified amount of time to earn a return. The companies can also borrow money to buy ​additional cryptocurrencies, ​something ETFs​ also can’t do.

Cryptocurrencies are volatile even in the best of times. If the price of a token plunges after a company has bet the farm, it could be left holding a worthless asset. Staking amplifies the risk, since it means an investor can’t touch the locked-up tokens if they start to fall in value. And then there’s the risk that investors sour on the strategy.

Last week, Volcon, an electric-bike maker based in Austin, Texas, raised $500 million in just seven days to initiate its bitcoin treasury strategy, according to co-CEO Ryan Lane. Shares of Volcon jumped from $9.22 to more than $44 on the day of its announcement as speculators rushed to snap up the stock. Shares have fallen every day since, closing Friday at $13.40.

Two weeks ago, French semiconductor manufacturer Sequans Communications raised $384 million from more than 40 institutional investors to buy bitcoin. The company’s stock jumped 215% that week and peaked at $5.83 a share—but it’s since fallen back down to $1.98.

“What happens in six, 12 or 18 months from now, and instead of the current bull market, we have a bear market?” said Evgeny Gaevoy, the co-founder of crypto market-making firm Wintermute. “A lot of low-effort crypto treasury companies will potentially crash and burn. And a lot of the retail investors that predominantly invested in them will be affected.”

Executives of some of the companies aren’t waiting to see if their plans work out—they’re dumping their personal shares after making the announcements, pocketing millions in the process.

On June 16, for example, SRM Entertainment, a toy-and-souvenir manufacturer in Winter Park, Fla., with a market value of $25 million the Friday before, announced plans to spend $100 million on a cryptocurrency called Tron.

The token purchase is part of a reverse merger between SRM and crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun’s company, also called Tron. SRM’s stock, which traded between 28 cents and $1.45 a share all year, shot up past $9.

Over the next several days, the company’s CEO, Richard Miller, and its chief financial officer, Douglas McKinnon, exercised previously issued stock options to buy a combined 600,000 shares at 56 cents a share, according to data from The Washington Service. They sold a combined $2 million or so of the newly acquired shares. A vice president of the company sold $941,000 worth of stock.

Executives of the company, which has changed its name to Tron Inc. and rang the Nasdaq opening bell on Thursday, declined to comment.

Lately, tiny companies are working with recognised names in finance to raise cash to buy crypto. Among them is Cantor Fitzgerald, run by Howard Lutnick before he became commerce secretary this year and passed the reins to his sons, Brandon and Kyle Lutnick.

Cantor last week said it would form a $5.3 billion bitcoin treasury company with Adam Back, an early cryptographer. It was Cantor’s second multibillion-dollar crypto-treasury SPAC deal in less than three months. The firm also facilitated several other bitcoin treasury deals and acted as an adviser to Trump Media’s plan to buy bitcoin.

For now, many investors are scoring big profits betting on these deals, which remind some of the frenzied SPAC boom of the pandemic era, when established members of the financial world jumped on the wave. Fabio Giorno, an entrepreneur who operates a tutoring business in Toronto, says he has begun to invest in Bitmine and SharpLink Gaming, another ether-focused treasury stock.

He’s done well on the stocks, but says the volatility of the shares shakes him.

“Sometimes it’s a little risky when you walk away from your computer, because you never know what’s going to happen with the news,” he said.

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BLOCKBUSTER CRED MAKES THIS HOME A STAR

Every house claims to be picture-perfect when it hits the market, but this grand five-bedroom home in Melbourne’s Surrey Hills has Hollywood’s stamp of approval.

The contemporary two-storey house was hand-picked by movie location scouts to feature in the $80 million Zac Efron-driven film, Nicky Stanicky.

Out last year, the movie also stars former pro-wrestler turned Hollywood heavyweight John Cena and Academy Award nominee William H Macy. Set in Providence, Rhode Island, with scenes in Atlantic City and New Jersey, the production was actually filmed in various Melbourne suburbs.

The modern suburban residence has all the hallmarks of a US family home, with its Hamptons-style facade and vast proportions measuring 650sq m of internal space.

Just listed with Kay & Burton Boroondara team, Scott Patterson, Walter Dodich and Jacqui Bendall, the Norfolk Rd property is set to go under the hammer on August 23 with a price guide of $5.5 million to $5.9 million.

After appearing on the big screen, the home has piqued the interest of several filmmakers (including Neighbours producers before the show was axed) and is still on the books to feature in other filming projects, if the new owners are keen to play the role.

In Australia, private residences can earn between $1000 and $5000 a day when used in the media – from magazine shoots to blockbuster movies.

The 2016 house sits on a 996sq m block and is home to a versatile floor plan with multiple entertaining spaces over both levels.

On the spacious ground floor, there is a central family room with an Escea fireplace anchoring the footprint, with an adjoining state-of-the-art Gaggenau and Miele kitchen that has a butler’s pantry, an expansive stone island bench, pyrolytic and steam ovens, an integrated coffee machine, a dishwasher, and a Vintec wine fridge.

A large dining room with bespoke wine storage opens via stacker doors to an undercover alfresco area with ceiling fans, a built-in Zeigler & Brown barbecue, sink, and a fridge for all weather gatherings around the pool and half basketball court.

This lower level also houses a dramatic entryway crowned with a 4m void, a formal lounge room with another fireplace, a separate study overlooking the pool area, powder room, and a primary bedroom featuring a walk-in wardrobe, a bath ensuite, and an illuminating skylight.

Upstairs, there are four more spacious bedrooms, including one with a two-way wardrobe and bathroom. Additionally, the level has a full family bathroom, a powder room, a walk-in linen press featuring a handy chute to the laundry below, and a huge media room or kids’ breakout space.

Other attributes of the Melbourne property include a poolside cabana with toilet and outdoor shower, French oak parquet floors, zoned central air-conditioning, ducted vacuuming, a security alarm, in-built speakers, automatic blinds, front electric gates, and an internal remote-control double garage.

Close to Union Station, the property is near sought-after schools, Surrey Hills cafes and shops, as well as Wattle Park, Deakin University, and Box Hill Central.

Kay & Burton agent Scott Patterson is auctioning 14 Norfolk Road, Surrey Hills on August 23 at 2pm with the indicative price guide of $5.5 million to $5.9 million.

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AUSTRALIA’S FASTEST-CHARGING LUXURY EV UNVEILED

Luxury goes electric – at speed. Chinese-Swedish marque Zeekr has officially launched the 7X in Australia, positioning it as the country’s first mid-sized luxury electric SUV tailored for modern families. But this is no ordinary EV.

The Zeekr 7X arrives with the world-first Golden Battery – a breakthrough in ultra-fast charging technology that propels the vehicle from 10 to 80 per cent in just 13 minutes.

Unveiled today at the Australian Museum in Sydney, the Zeekr 7X represents a sophisticated fusion of Scandinavian design, next-gen digital integration and high-performance engineering.

With pricing starting at $57,900 (plus on-road costs), the model offers three variants: a single-motor Rear-Wheel Drive, Long-Range Rear-Wheel Drive, and the flagship dual-motor Performance All-Wheel Drive, which delivers a blistering 0–100km/h in 3.8 seconds.

Luxury, Reimagined

Designed in Zeekr’s Gothenburg studio, alongside stablemates Volvo, Polestar and Lotus, the 7X is based on Geely’s SEA platform and features a minimalist exterior marked by sleek surfaces, sculpted lines and full-width LED lighting.

Inside, it’s a sanctuary of luxe detailing, advanced technology and serious space. Despite its mid-size status, it offers the roominess of a full-size SUV and 539L of rear boot space, with up to 62L front storage in RWD models.

Cabin luxuries include power-operated doors, ventilated massage seats and premium materials across all touchpoints—particularly on the Performance AWD variant.

A Cockpit from the Future

As a software-defined vehicle, the 7X is built around digital smarts. It runs Qualcomm’s lightning-fast Snapdragon 8295 chip, making it the most powerful Zeekr yet. The 16-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system is matched by an optional 36.2-inch AR head-up display that overlays navigation and alerts into the driver’s field of view.

Safety technology is comprehensive, with 12 cameras and radar enabling features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, 3D surround-view monitoring, cross-traffic alerts and full automatic park assist.

Over-the-air software updates promise to keep the vehicle’s systems continuously evolving.

Performance Meets Practicality

With up to 615km of range (WLTP), the Long-Range RWD model is ideal for extended family road trips, while the AWD Performance trim offers serious muscle with 475kW of power and 710Nm of torque. The active air suspension system with 45mm lift capacity ensures off-road capability to match the on-road presence.

Unrivalled Charging Speed

Underpinning the Zeekr 7X’s headline charging time is an 800V electrical architecture, future-proofed to handle 450kW DC rates as infrastructure evolves. Even today, using a 360kW charger, drivers can add hundreds of kilometres of range in under a quarter of an hour.

Home charging is just as impressive. A standard 22kW onboard AC charger enables a full charge (10–100%) in 4.5 hours for the standard RWD model.

Pre-Order Incentives

To celebrate the launch, Zeekr is offering exclusive bonuses to the first 1,000 Australian customers, including:

  • Complimentary 7kW home charger
  • Portable charging cables (Type 2 and Mini)
  • Free choice of exterior and interior colours
  • Seven-year vehicle warranty and roadside assistance

The Zeekr Era Arrives

With more than 520,000 EVs sold globally since its debut in 2021, Zeekr is rapidly becoming a heavyweight in electric mobility. The 7X joins the local lineup ahead of the Zeekr X and Zeekr 009 later this year, signalling the brand’s serious ambitions for the Australian market.

“The Zeekr 7X delivers the kind of intelligent design, long-range confidence, and ultra-fast charging that Australian drivers are looking for,” said Frank Li, Vice President of Zeekr International and Managing Director of Zeekr Australia.

“It’s engineered for modern families but with the refinement and technology you’d expect from a premium EV.”

 

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BRISBANE TOPS ASIA-PACIFIC FOR PRIME OFFICE RENTAL GROWTH

Brisbane has recorded the highest prime office rental growth in the Asia-Pacific region, with a year-on-year increase of 14.1%, according to new data from Knight Frank’s Q2 2025 Office Highlights report.

The report shows Brisbane’s growth outpaced all 23 tracked cities, ahead of Seoul (8.2%) and Bengaluru (7.9%). Quarterly, Brisbane rents rose 3.2%, trailing only Mumbai (3.5%) and Bengaluru (3.2%).

Knight Frank Partner Research and Consulting Jennelle Wilson said a lack of supply would continue to underpin prime rental growth in Brisbane’s CBD.

“The two new buildings entering the market this year will leave backfill space for lease, but little new space remains available, and no additional new supply is expected before late 2028,” Wilson said.

“Refreshed stock such as 140 Elizabeth St (9,908sqm) and 70 Eagle St (11,467sqm, 50% committed) will be available from mid-year.”

Wilson said no refurbishment projects would complete in 2026, with 450 Queen St (17,265sqm), a full building refurbishment, expected back online in H1 2027.

“The five-year forecast effective annual growth rate for Brisbane rents is 6.5%,” she said.

Knight Frank Head of Office Leasing Queensland Mark McCann noted a potential uplift in tenant movement.

“In Q2, lease volumes for tenant relocations remained low, with the exception being the sub 500sqm band, where tenants still have a large range of new and recycled fitted options to consider,” he said.

“However, we expect renewed focus from large corporate occupiers considering pre-commitments to new developments over the next six months as occupiers contemplate their new workplace environments and future needs from 2028 onwards.”

Knight Frank also forecast that Brisbane, Perth and Sydney would see further rental increases over the next year, while Melbourne rents were expected to remain stable.

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The Glow-Up That Hurt: What It’s Really Like to Get Skin Needling

In the glossy world of skincare and wellness, we often hear about the benefits of skin needling: tighter pores, improved texture, and that elusive post-treatment glow. What’s less discussed? Timing. More specifically, how the hormonal fluctuations of your menstrual cycle can impact the experience and your pain threshold, far more than the skincare forums let on.

I thought I had it all timed perfectly. I’ve done enough microneedling sessions to know that it’s not exactly a walk in the park – especially if you, like me, are the kind of person who winces at a deep tissue massage and cries a little during a bikini wax. So I planned carefully. I booked it during what I believed was a “safe” window, comfortably out of the PMS zone and well before Day One of my cycle.

Of course, my body had other plans. I woke up the morning of the appointment, cramps in tow, and immediately considered cancelling. That is, until I reread the clinic’s policy: 50% fee for rescheduling within 24 hours. And just like that, I found myself at the door, clutching my water bottle and whispering affirmations like I was about to sit an

Pain, Periods, and the Myth of the High Threshold

Let’s get one thing straight: we all have different pain thresholds. Some women breeze through labour with little more than a grimace. Others (hi, me) need to mentally prepare for eyebrow threading. But regardless of your usual threshold, during menstruation, everything changes.

As estrogen and progesterone levels drop in the days leading up to and during your period, the body becomes more inflamed, more sensitive, and, for many women, less tolerant of discomfort. You’re more prone to pain, your skin is more reactive, and even your emotional resilience takes a bit of a dip. These aren’t mood swings — they’re chemical fluctuations. And they affect everything.

That’s why, in hindsight, getting hundreds of tiny needles rolled into my face on the day my hormones hit rock bottom felt… intense.

But I wasn’t going to back out. I chose to stay. And to my own surprise, it became a moment of real resilience — not in a “push through the pain” way, but in a mindful, grounded, intentional way.

Leticia an hour after skin needling.

Breathing Through the Sting: A Masterclass in Mindfulness

As I lay back on the table, my therapist adjusted the pressure slightly and reminded me to breathe deeply, something I’ve heard in yoga studios a hundred times, but rarely applied to skincare.

At first, I distracted myself with light conversation – anything to keep my mind away from what was happening on my face. But when the more sensitive areas (cheeks, upper lip, forehead) were being treated, distraction didn’t quite cut it. That’s when I tapped into mindfulness.

I began to sync my breath with the pace of the roller: in for four counts, hold for two, out for four. I imagined breathing into the places that hurt, allowing the breath to soften the resistance. I reminded myself that pain is a wave — it rises, peaks, and passes.

And in that moment, I found something surprising: calm.

I wasn’t numbing myself or trying to “tough it out.” I was being incredibly present. Noticing the sensations, naming them (“sharp, hot, tingling”), and then letting them go. It felt like a meditation. One I hadn’t planned, but one I very much needed.

Wellness Beyond the Pretty

When we talk about wellness, we often imagine smooth transitions and well-curated rituals. But sometimes, wellness is uncomfortable. It’s showing up on a day you feel emotionally fragile and physically sore. It’s adjusting expectations, grounding into your body, and offering yourself compassion in real time.

That’s what this treatment became for me. Yes, I wanted clearer, more radiant skin – and I got that, eventually. But what I didn’t expect was to walk away with a deeper understanding of how connected my physical and emotional states really are. What we label as “low pain threshold” is often our body trying to communicate something important. And that there’s strength — a quiet, powerful kind — in choosing to stay present in discomfort.

So, Would I Recommend It?

Getting skin needling during your period isn’t ideal. Your skin is more sensitive, the inflammation response is heightened, and yes, it will likely hurt more. If you can reschedule without consequence, do it. But if you can’t, or if you choose to go ahead with it anyway, go in prepared.

Hydrate. Take paracetamol, not ibuprofen. Let your therapist know, so they can adjust their technique. And most importantly, take care of your emotional self as much as your physical one. Use breathwork to anchor you. Allow yourself to rest afterwards. And recognise that what you just did — despite the timing, despite the discomfort — was a form of self-care that goes beyond skincare.

Because wellness isn’t just about looking better. It’s about knowing yourself, trusting yourself, and supporting yourself through every phase — hormonal highs, lows, and everything in between.

Leticia Estrada Rahme is a writer, mother, and former TV journalist based in Bondi Beach. She explores beauty, mental health, and identity through the lens of storytelling and lived experience.

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Dual-Frontage Belongil Beach Hideaway Listed for $35m

A rare parcel of Byron Bay is primed to hit the market this week along the glamorous holiday spot’s priciest stretch of sand – Belongil Beach.

The designer digs belong to Leah and Kurt Rettenmaier, head of digital asset investment firm Revolution Tech. The couple have listed their Byron Bay hideaway, which sits on Childe St and has two waterfronts, for $35 million with Kim Jones of Jones & Co Real Estate.

The Rettenmaiers bought an original beach house on the 1776sq m block back in 2016 for $3.6 million, according to title records, and then reimagined the unique property into a sleek boho retreat worthy of its multimillion-dollar price tag.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom compound at 4 Childe St sits at the end of the enviable strip, which is bordered on three sides by Belongil Beach, the Belongil Creek and uninterrupted bushland teeming with native flora and fauna.

In addition to the natural neighbours, the property is also surrounded by VIP residents in the exclusive peninsula, including Chemist Warehouse boss Damien Gance and Sasha Robertson.

If the Rettenmaiers and Jones achieve their $35 million goal, the newest listing could break the Byron price barrier of $33.5 million set by the Gance-Robertsons earlier this year.

Jones is also reportedly the agent behind the current Far North Coast record of $37 million. That deal was struck when Tom and Emma Lane of Oroton handbag fame bought their property, The Range, in nearby Coopers Shoot.

The primary two-bedroom residence is home to rendered white walls with integrated shelving and statement archways reminiscent of the uniquely smooth lines of the Greek Isles. The flowing curved interiors also reflect the calming contours of the coastal landscape on the home’s doorstep.

Designed for entertaining inside and out, the property features a spacious covered alfresco area with a built-in barbecue, manicured lawns, a bespoke fire pit and a private self-contained studio with an outdoor claw-foot bathtub.

Even kids – big or small – have room to play with a fun built-in skate ramp and an expansive beachfront lawn with sweeping views over the bay, Julian Rocks and the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse.

The dream has space to thrive with architect-designed plans for a more contemporary beach house (STCA).

Perfectly positioned for surfing at coveted Belongil Beach, or kayaking and stand up paddle boarding along the creek, the home’s prized location is within 600m of Treehouse restaurant, is a six-minute walk to the heart of Byron Bay and approximately half an hour to the Ballina/Byron Gateway Airport, or less than an hour to the Gold Coast Airport.

The dual aspect home at 4 Childe St, Byron Bay, is listed with Kim Jones of Jones & Co with price expectations of about $35 million.

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DESIGNING THE ULTIMATE GAMES ROOM FOR ALL AGES

The best games rooms aren’t just for kids or teens — they’re designed to bring people of all ages together for connection, fun and a little friendly competition. Whether it’s a dedicated space in a luxury home or a multifunctional retreat within your existing floor plan, the ultimate games room should be stylish, versatile and above all, welcoming.

As an interior designer, I’ve found the key to creating a truly successful games room is balancing playful energy with thoughtful design. Here’s how to build a space that entertains everyone, from grandparents to grandkids and every generation in between.

Start with your audience and purpose

Before choosing furniture or games, think about who will be using the room and how they will use it. Is it a place for after-dinner card games and drinks? A teen-friendly space for movie nights and gaming? Or a room where the whole family gathers for long weekends of pool, table tennis and classic board games?

Understanding the primary use will guide everything from layout to lighting and finishes. A multi-generational space should include zones for different types of play and relaxation.

Choose games that suit all ages

A true family games room needs variety. Include at least one traditional game that appeals across generations, such as a pool table, foosball or table tennis. These classics are always a hit and encourage movement, conversation and friendly rivalry.

Consider a dedicated console or digital gaming area for younger generations and create a nook for quieter moments with shelves stocked with board games, puzzles or cards. If space allows, add a bar or drinks trolley for adults, paired with comfortable seating for relaxed socialising.

Incorporate layered lighting

Lighting has a huge impact in games rooms. Overhead lighting is essential for gameplay, especially over pool or ping pong tables, but you’ll also want ambient lighting for mood and comfort. Add wall sconces, LED strip lighting behind shelves or smart lamps that can be dimmed depending on the activity.

If you include a screen or projector for gaming or movie nights, be sure to factor in blackout blinds or heavy curtains to reduce glare and enhance the experience.

Kellie Richardson

Opt for durable and stylish materials

Games rooms see plenty of action, so it’s important to choose materials that are both attractive and hard-wearing. Think timber or polished concrete floors, and furniture in wipeable fabrics like leather, linen blends or commercial-grade upholstery.

That said, this is still a space to impress. Introduce bold textures, rich colour palettes and eye-catching art to give the room its own personality. A statement wall, neon signage or oversized mural can add just the right amount of fun.

Include flexible seating options

Comfort is key in a multi-generational space. Incorporate a mix of seating — deep lounges, ottomans, bean bags and bar stools — so everyone can find their preferred spot to relax or play. Built-in benches with storage are another great way to maximise space while keeping things neat and accessible.

Add acoustic comfort

Games rooms can get noisy, so consider the acoustics. Rugs, curtains, padded wall panels or acoustic ceiling tiles can help reduce echo and soften sound, making the space more enjoyable for everyone.

Don’t forget storage and versatility

Games, consoles, extra cushions and accessories can quickly clutter a space. Incorporate clever storage solutions like built-in cabinetry, wall-mounted shelves or custom joinery to keep everything organised without compromising on style.

Furniture should be versatile and suit a range of different activities. Consider tables that fold out or extend to accommodate small and large numbers of players.

Final word

The ultimate games room is more than just a place to play — it’s a destination. A thoughtfully designed space that encourages togetherness, laughter and lasting memories across generations. When done well, it becomes one of the most loved and lived-in areas of the home.

Kellie Richardson is an Interior Designer and Founder of Kurved by Design 

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HOW TO MINIMISE THE BIGGEST RISKS IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INVESTING

Commercial property can deliver higher yields, longer leases, and more passive income than residential. But with greater returns come greater risks. The rules are different, the stakes are higher, and one misstep can turn a promising asset into a financial burden.

Here, property expert Abdullah Nouh outlines five of the biggest risks in commercial investing and how to manage them strategically.

1. Vacancy risk

Vacancies in commercial property cut deeper than in residential. An empty building means no rent, yet you’re still footing the bill for rates, insurance and maintenance.

This is especially dangerous in oversupplied markets. In major CBDs like Melbourne and Sydney, office vacancy rates have climbed as high as 30 per cent. In such environments, landlords often need to offer high-end fit-outs or generous incentives to attract tenants.

How to minimise it: Invest in tightly held, high-demand locations. Choose properties with secure, long-term leases and flexible layouts that can suit multiple industries if a tenant moves out.

2. Weak lease structures

Not all leases offer equal protection. Some may appear strong – long-term, high rent, decent yield – but lack real security for the landlord. Some tenants can exit with minimal penalty. Others sign inflated leases that look good on sale but collapse at renewal.

How to minimise it: Scrutinise lease terms. Know how rent increases are structured, whether there are break clauses, and whether the rent reflects market conditions. Favour leases with guarantees, security deposits, or cash bonds – and always vet the financial health of the tenant.

3. Overpaying

A high yield doesn’t always mean a good deal. A 7.5 per cent return from a regional tenant in a shaky industry may be far riskier than a 5.5 per cent return from a stable, ASX-listed tenant in a prime location. Chasing numbers without context exposes you to tenant defaults, falling rents, or limited resale options.

How to minimise it: Focus on tenant quality and lease sustainability, not just the headline yield. Understand the tenant’s industry and how it might weather an economic downturn. Always base your valuation on true market rent – not inflated or unsustainable figures.

4, Market volatility

Commercial sectors respond differently to economic shifts. Retail has been hit by e-commerce, while office spaces face challenges from hybrid working. Yet some sectors – logistics, healthcare, childcare – have proven resilient.

How to minimise it: Target essential services less vulnerable to economic cycles. Stay across industry trends and adjust your portfolio as needed. Diversify across sectors and regions to spread risk.

5. Finance and liquidity

Commercial finance is trickier than residential. It requires larger deposits, stricter checks, and often hinges on lease strength, not your personal income. Selling can also be slower – especially if your tenant is weak or the lease is short.

How to minimise it: Use brokers who understand lease-doc lending, where loans are based on rental income. Buy properties with strong leases in prime locations to ensure broader buyer appeal. Always plan your exit strategy and maintain cash buffers to manage tenant turnover or delayed sales.

Commercial property isn’t for everyone – but for those who know the risks and manage them well, it can be a powerful tool for building wealth. Smart investors don’t just buy for today. They plan for what could go wrong and structure their deals to survive it.

Abdullah Nouh is the founder of Mecca Property Group, a boutique buyer’s agency in Melbourne, helping Australians build wealth through strategic property investment.

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PORT DOUGLAS ICON LISTS $7M LUXURY VILLA

Local property icon and Far North Queensland developer, John Morris, is offloading one of his luxury villas in Port Douglas. 

The 97-year-old, known as “Mr Port Douglas” thanks to his efforts in putting the coastal town on the tourism map, has recently completed a $50 million 17-villa development known as The Escapes Collection on Rachel Carson Lane in the popular holiday town. 

Morris has been credited with transforming a sleepy seaside village into a thriving holiday hotspot after developing the Radisson Treetops Resort, the Toressian Resort (now known as Reef Resort Villas), and Cayman Villas. 

Port Douglas’ most well-known hotel, the Sheraton Mirage, even bears Morris’s stamp after he collaborated on the development with Christopher Skase before the infamous businessman’s downfall. 

Now Villa 15 of The Escapes Collection has hit the market with $7 million price expectations through Queensland Sotheby’s agent, Caroline Yarr. 

The FIRB-approved residence is one of a collective developed by Morris’ family business, which counts his daughters among the team, with Janet as interior designer and Wendy in marketing. 

Nine homes in collection have already sold, achieving prices between $3.65 million and $7 million. Sold to buyers from Sydney, Melbourne, New Zealand and South Australia, the glamorous holiday homes are earning as much as $2500 a night during the high season for a four-bedroom villa.

Fully furnished down to the linens and featuring hand-picked artwork by local artists, the grand residence is a turnkey property. 

Several of the villas, including number 15, were designed by Gary Hunt, a renowned Port Douglas-based architect who specialises in island resorts and has lent his talents to rich lister Tim Gurner’s high profile projects such as The $250 million resort development, The Davidson on the site of the old Dougie’s backpacker hostel. 

As a brand-new villa, the five-bedroom home combines bold contemporary bold aesthetics with its lush tropical setting to create a holistic Far North Queensland retreat.

Hunt’s savvy north-facing design, together with the bespoke interior design featuring unique pieces throughout, results in a modern footprint perfectly curated to its surrounds and northern Queensland climate. 

The signature element of the property is its wraparound pool and all-weather alfresco spaces that seamlessly connect with inside living areas. 

Inside, there are raw concrete and stone feature walls matched with spotted gum timber ceilings, as well as European oak, Italian porcelain Terrazzo and natural sisal carpeted floors. 

At the heart of the floor plan, the family-friendly kitchen features Siemens appliances, an integrated fridge and freezer, Corian benchtops, and a unique Verde Luana marble splashback. For alfresco entertaining, the villa also has a complete outdoor kitchen. 

Additional features at Villa 15 include a Savaria 4-person lift, Navurban sustainable timber laminate joinery, Astra Walker custom-made iron bronze tapware, Asko laundry appliances, remote-controlled blinds, pure linen curtains, ducted air-conditioning, solar panels and a double garage. 

Select villas are designed by Gary Hunt, a renowned Port Douglas-based architect specialising in island resorts.

Melbourne developer and rich lister Tim Gurner have also engaged Gary on his Port Douglas developments, including three premium residences on ‘the hill’, which will set the benchmark for FNQ luxury residences, as well as the residential/resort development on Davidson Street.  

Find out more about Villa 15, The Escape Collection Port Douglas at Queensland Sotheby’s, Port Douglas.

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SYDNEY LUXURY HOME LISTED WITH A CHEEKY $1 RESERVE

In a move that is equal parts audacious and inspired, luxury real estate group Black Diamondz has listed a newly completed five-bedroom mansion in Ryde with a reserve price of $1.

The property at 26 Clermont Avenue is anything but bargain basement – featuring four lavish levels, a concrete structure, a private cinema, a mineral lap pool, a wine cellar, a sauna and even lift access.

Meanwhile, Ryde’s median house price is hovering around $2.5 million.

“This is not just another house. It’s a showpiece,” says Monika Tu, founder of Black Diamondz. “We’re not asking the market to guess its worth; we’re inviting it to experience it.”

Spicing things up further, the sales campaign doubles as a philanthropic effort.

Tu, along with agents Courtney Wong and Blake Morris, is using the high‑profile auction to raise awareness (and funds) for the Children’s Cancer Institute as part of the 2025 Dare to Cure challenge.

“We believe in creating value beyond the transaction,” says Tu. “Shining a light on the Children’s Cancer Institute turns luxury into legacy.”

Property Highlights

  • Five bedrooms, four bathrooms, three en-suites

  • Private cinema, sauna, gym and wine cellar

  • Gourmet kitchen with Miele appliances and butler’s pantry

  • Tundra limestone, Venetian plaster finishes, mineral lap pool

  • Quiet street near top schools, parks and Top Ryde Shopping Centre

Whether the $1 reserve is a marketing masterstroke or the future of auction theatrics, one thing’s sure: this isn’t your average Ryde listing.

Bidding starts with a gold coin. Final sale price? That’s anyone’s guess.

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Sydney’s Best Luxury New Apartments For Sale. You Won’t Believe The Price!

Ophora at Tallawong has officially completed construction, marking a major milestone for first-home buyers, downsizers and families seeking affordable luxury with peace of mind.

It also becomes the first apartment development in the Blacktown Council area to be backed by a 10-year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI) policy and is now fully open for inspection.

The $50 million mixed-use project is being hailed as a standout offering in Sydney’s northwest, with one-bedroom apartments starting at $475,000, two-bedroom apartments from $625,000, and three-bedroom apartments from $745,000.

According to Alex Walker, Principal and project-marketing specialist at Boston Buckler Property, Ophora is delivering a level of quality and value rarely seen in today’s high-cost construction market.

“With construction costs so high, brand-new apartments priced under $600,000 basically don’t exist anymore,” Walker said. “Buyers who’ve walked through these completed homes have been gobsmacked by what they’re getting for the price.”

Unlike many new developments that are still selling off-the-plan, Ophora is now move-in ready, allowing buyers to see exactly what they’re purchasing before signing.

“You can walk through today and see everything for yourself,” Walker said. “Fully ducted air-conditioning, timber floors, fridge cavities with water plumbing, premium finishes throughout. Plus, the communal areas are absolutely amazing. There are landscaped rooftop spaces, shared gardens, EV chargers and more.

“Our closest competition is around $150,000 more for a new apartment. You simply won’t see this level of value again.”

Developed by KDMC and designed by Architex, the five-storey building includes 81 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences. It has been created with a focus on sustainability, liveability and long-term confidence, which is where the LDI policy comes in.

LDI, typically only available on luxury builds, covers structural defects for 10 years after completion. The policy is offered selectively and only to developers and builders with strong track records.

“Gaining LDI is no mean feat,” said Stefan Hicks, founder of SHC Insurance Brokers. “It’s offered selectively to developers and builders with a strong building history, and it requires both parties to employ independent inspectors throughout construction.”

Already used in more than 40 countries, LDI is increasingly being adopted in New South Wales as part of the state’s push to rebuild confidence in the construction sector. But it remains rare, especially in this price bracket.

“The fact that Ophora has joined this exclusive list of quality-assured builds is a coup for entry-level home buyers,” Hicks added.

Ronnie Rahme, Development Manager at KDMC, said LDI was part of the team’s mission to raise the standard for what buyers should expect,  regardless of budget.

“We’ve been determined to deliver affordable luxury apartments built to an outstanding standard — with additional peace of mind for buyers via the highly sought-after LDI,” Rahme said.

In addition to the high-end finishes and certification, Ophora includes FIBRE internet, video intercom systems, EV charging stations, landscaped gardens, ground-floor courtyards, and a rooftop terrace with sweeping views.

Perfectly located on a corner block just minutes from Tallawong Metro Station and Schofields train station, the development also offers enviable access to transport and future growth corridors, including the Western Sydney Airport.

Ophora is expected to appeal to a wide range of buyers, from young families and couples to investors and downsizers seeking long-term value.

 

Ready to elevate your lifestyle? Contact Ophora to arrange a private viewing or request more information.

 

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Why People Are Buying $8,000 Lifelike Baby Dolls

Kelli Maple tenderly sets her bundle of joy, Naomi, into a Nuna car seat and drives her to the mall.

When they arrive, Maple, 23, places little Naomi, dressed in a onesie and hair bow, into a high-end stroller (complete with a portable sound machine, stuffed animal and a pacifier). Giggling, Maple and Naomi shop for tiny clothes.

Most passersby would mistake them for a typical mother and daughter.

But Naomi is not real.

She’s a lifelike “reborn doll.” These collectable baby dolls, which can run up to $10,000 apiece, have been around since the early 2000s, but in recent years they’ve exploded into a global phenomenon.

Collectors, who consider themselves parents, shell out for luxury baby gear and dote on their reborns as if they were human children.

In Brazil, they’ve become a lightning rod in recent months, with politicians introducing bills to try and ban the popular dolls from public places.

The reborn doll world is hidden in plain sight in the United States.

It’s a cottage industry, with amateur crafters hand-moulding and painting dolls in their basements. The process, especially for the more verisimilitudinous silicone dolls, is labour-intensive, including painting delicate pale-blue veins onto their soft peachy skin and hand-rooting individual goat or alpaca hairs into their scalps and eyebrows. The result is uncanny.

When I told a dollmaker that I’ve never seen someone carrying a reborn in New York, she smiled knowingly and said, “You have.”

Detractors find the dolls creepy, and some owners say they are taunted by families and online bullies.

What these critics misunderstand, collectors say, is the therapeutic potential of the dolls.

Women who have lost babies or experienced miscarriages are comforted by reborns. The dolls can also soothe women with post-traumatic stress disorder, Alzheimer’s, dementia and autism.

Britney Spears, who said she had a miscarriage, has been seen carrying a doll. Some women are fanatic collectors, amassing dozens if not hundreds of dolls and posting online videos of diaper changes and trips to the park. Children and teens play with them. Hollywood snaps them up as stunt babies.

At the Dolls of the World fair this June, around 1,500 participants—and their dolls—came together in a convention centre in Greensboro, N.C., where vendors sold accessories such as perfumes meant to make the dolls smell like real babies.

“People think it’s insane because it’s a doll,” said Hannah Hammond, 21, a teacher in Hampton, Va., who collects reborns. “But it’s just like any other hobby.” When we met, she offered to let me hold her prized silicone doll, Evie, then winced at my technique: “You have to support her head.”

Babies Who Never Cry

Maple is one of the stars of the reborn doll world, with over 2 million subscribers to her YouTube channel and selling her dolls for thousands of dollars.

At the Dolls of the World expo, she was mobbed by fans for selfies and autographs.

She had spent months in the room she calls her “nursery,” putting the finishing touches on babies to sell at her booth at the fair. “There are heads and limbs everywhere—it can be a little scary,” she said.

Awareness of the dolls is at an all-time high. “It’s just getting bigger and stronger,” said Dave Stack, the founder of Reborns.com, one of the largest marketplaces for handmade dolls. He charges $30 a month for makers to sell their dolls on the site, and has around 600 paying members.

Many of those makers were at the fair in North Carolina, one of a handful of American events where enthusiasts and dealers can buy and sell dolls, and take classes in the art of dollmaking. At evening events, women trade gifts like pacifiers and doll outfits, and awards are bestowed to the top artisans.

The doll fair was one of three conferences taking place at the same sprawling Sheraton complex. Over the course of one sweltering summer weekend, the doll people rubbed elbows with the brawny participants in the World Ninja League championships and the conspiracy theorists of the Cosmic Summit.

“We all thought they were real babies until we did not hear any crying,” marvelled Cosmic Summit attendee Ocean Norris while taking a smoke break. Her friend Angela Simmons of Pinehurst, N.C., said she was “shocked” to see the babies being handled like real babies.

“Unfortunately, we get a lot of hate in the doll community,” said Sally McMahon of Massapequa Park, N.Y., who dressed in a fairy outfit and showed off her rabbit-human hybrid doll.

This is part of a subset known as “fantasy dolls”—creatures such as chimp-human hybrids, blue-skinned lizard elves, and tiny-horned satyrs. “They say, ‘Oh my God, these crazy doll people.”

For the doll lovers, from small children to senior citizens in wheelchairs, the fair is a rare safe space for them to revel in their hobby.

Many of them budget the entire year to be able to pay cash for four-figure dolls and accessories (“I plan on spending a kidney, a lung and part of my liver,” joked attendee Mel Harrison on Facebook).

They clamoured around the reborn world’s niche celebrity doll artists, like Maple and the British duo Samantha Gregory and Nikki Johnston, asking for autographs and selfies. All around the hotel, groups clustered, with women and children passing babies around.

While reborn lovers find them comforting, the outside world often perceives them as terrifying. The Apple TV+ show “Servant,” which ran from 2019 to 2023, dramatised the spooky nature of reborn dolls.

Maggie Barnes, 12, from Clayton, N.C., showed me her new doll: Fang, a miniature werewolf. Barnes said she liked coming to the fair because “People are not judgmental at all.” Her mother, also a doll fan, purchased the $1,000 doll for her as a gift.

Although the best-known use for reborn dolls is as a comfort following infant loss and miscarriage, plenty of kids, as well as mothers and grandmothers of real children, collect the dolls. Keith and Dia Harris, 63 and 51 of Suwanee, Ga., have five children and seven grandchildren, and attended the fair with a baby reborn and a 6-year-old reborn.

Keith, hoisting the bigger doll around in a carrier, was one of the many supportive husbands at the fair. At their home, the Harrises have a nursery for their reborns with bunkbeds, which their grandkids share with the dolls when they visit.

Another grandmother, Holly Church, came to the fair to purchase a $3,200 green-skinned fantasy doll to add to her collection. Her husband was building a “she shed” in their backyard in Texas to house the dolls. She said that her eldest son didn’t understand her passion. “I say, ‘You don’t have to get it. You just have to respect it.’”

Church’s friend Mia Martone, a spiritual advisor in East Meadow, N.Y., purchased a $6,000 silicone reborn named Lucy at the fair. While she has grandchildren who visit, she said, “Sometimes I just want one that doesn’t cry.”

Reborns can help people heal from trauma. Katherine Hansell of St. Charles, Mo., cares for Crystal, her adopted adult daughter who experienced horrific childhood abuse. They use a reborn baby named Crystal to model love and care. “We say that this Crystal was never hurt,” said Hansell.

A Labour of Love

Making dolls can be an emotional job.

Dorothy Blue, a reborn dollmaker who works out of a basement studio in Dardenne Prairie, Mo., said that working with women who’d gone through infant loss and wanted a replica could be fraught. Sometimes, their vision of what the doll should look like could be hard to capture. “To be blunt, a deceased baby looks like a deceased baby,” said Blue.

Well-made silicone dolls can easily sell for over $5,000, because the labour that goes into them is significant. Most dollmakers start with a basic kit from one of the online retailers such as Bountiful Baby.

Then they personalise it through a painstaking process of tweaking and painting, often in dialogue with the client, who may have photos of what they want the doll to look like. Vinyl kits usually start around $100 and silicone kits run about $200. With products including paint, finishing powder, glass eyes and hair, the supplies for one doll can easily run over $500.

America has a long tradition of resourceful women cobbling together careers from home. Like selling Mary Kay beauty products or Tupperware, dollmaking can be a way to make money without a fancy education, or even consistent childcare.

Few people have gotten rich from the doll world, because it’s such a splintered, handmade process. But Nevin and Denise Pratt of Bountiful Baby in Salt Lake City are titans in the reborn community.

In 2000, Denise’s doll making spurred the duo to begin making moulds, which grew into a significant doll supply company. At its height in 2019, the company says its revenue was over $5 million. It’s 40% less today, which they attribute to a volatile economy and Chinese-made knockoff dolls and parts sold on sites like Amazon and Alibaba.

This year, Maple only sold three of her handmade dolls, compared to five at the last fair. “Sales have been down all year because of the economy.”

But for Maple and others in the reborn doll industry, it’s much more than a business. “I’ve gone through lots of different emotional things throughout my life and the dolls have definitely helped with mental health a lot,” she said.

Johnston, the British dollmaker, compared reborn dolls to Marmite, the divisive yeasty spread: “You either love them or you hate them.”

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Google Revenue Soars on AI Boom, and Investors Eye Spending Surge

Google’s parent company reported a 14% jump in year-over-year revenue, driven by growth in its cloud and search divisions that was tempered by heavy spending on artificial intelligence.

The parent company, Alphabet , had record sales of $96.4 billion in the second quarter but also said capital expenditure expectations for the year would increase by 13% to about $85 billion. That compares with $52.5 billion in 2024.

Alphabet’s shares rose by more than 1% in after-market trading.

Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai and other tech executives have poured tens of billions of dollars into AI development over the past few years as part of the broader AI boom . Much of that money has gone to build new data centres to develop and run AI models.

Google’s results were the first in a series of quarterly tech earnings, with Microsoft, Apple, Amazon and Meta Platforms reporting next week. Investors are keeping a close watch on spending levels at most of the biggest companies, which have ballooned as they seek to stay ahead in an escalating AI arms race.

Google’s results are unique in that its cloud division, which sells computing power in data centres, is a beneficiary of the AI boom, while its search business faces threats from users who are migrating toward AI products such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Other areas of the company are spending at a fast clip to bring AI tools into its popular products like search and YouTube.

The cloud unit brought in $13.6 billion in second-quarter revenue. That was up 32% from the previous year, compared with 28% in the first quarter.

Alphabet reported total ad sales of $71.3 billion in the second quarter, an increase of 10.4% from the same period a year earlier. Google’s search division, which is core to the advertising business, grew 11.7%.

MoffettNathanson analyst Michael Nathanson said Google executives helped to allay shareholder concerns about the future of its search business, even if traffic volume declines.

“What people worry about is just the math around search,” he said. “Isn’t AI going to be a negative to search? And they went out of the way many times on the call to say, ‘That’s not what we’re seeing.’”

Google has for years been working to cut costs to help fund AI spending. The company at several points this year extended voluntary buyout offers to employees in multiple divisions.

To get ahead in the AI race, Google has been improving the capabilities of its own AI model and chatbot, known as Gemini, and adding AI features to many of its products. In May, it overhauled its classic search engine with the U.S. introduction of “AI Mode,” which answers search queries in a chatbot-style conversation with fewer links.

Investors have expressed concern about the potential outcome of an antitrust lawsuit targeting Google’s search dominance. A U.S. district judge overseeing the case is expected to rule next month on whether he should impose limits on Google, including putting curbs on how it competes in AI.

The decision will come after a monthslong trial that dealt extensively with just how much new AI players may erode Google’s search monopoly.

The Justice Department, which brought the case against Google in 2020, has proposed forcing the sale of its Chrome browser, preventing Google from being able to pay Apple to be its default search engine and requiring it to share data with competitors.

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Treehouse-Like Home in the Blue Ridge Mountains Burt Reynolds Owned at His Peak Hits the Market

When actor Burt Reynolds was filming what would become the 1972 hit “Deliverance,” he fell in love with the Georgia wilderness in which it was filmed.

The film would mark his breakthrough onto the big screen, after his tenure as a television star in Western shows like “Gunsmoke” and “Hawk,” and he became one of the most famous actors throughout the 1970s and ’80s

About a decade after “Deliverance,” at the peak of his career, he purchased a home in the Blue Ridge Mountains just across the border in Highlands, North Carolina, according to previous reporting.

The 1970s home was designed by modernist architect Jim Fox, whose signature blend of simplicity and flair can be seen in the home’s flared roofs, glossy wooden interiors and suspended wraparound deck.

The home, which has traded hands several times since Reynolds sold it in the 1990s, is now back on the market asking $3.699 million with Jody Lovell of Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty.

Located on a 0.9-acre lot on King Gap Road, the three-bedroom home stands within the Nantahala National Forest at the far edge of a subdivision, giving it unobstructed views of the surrounding forests and the blue mountain skyline.

The house is designed to integrate into the surrounding nature. Photo courtesy of Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty

The home looks like a cross between a tree house and a yacht, with curved wood-clad ceilings, wood-panelled walls and floors, and wooden built-in furniture. The prevalent wood is balanced by large glass windows and stone walls, including a double-height stone monolith that centres the home.

The uniquely shaped home features a main level, an upper level and a lower level. The main level includes the common spaces, including a sunken living room with a half-circular couch facing the stone fireplace and a large, wood-framed window wall that slants over the garage.

The lower level includes a games room, office, wine cellar and an extra stone bathroom that Reynolds’ then-wife Lori Anderson built for the actor, according to Lovell. There is still an inscription on a painted wall in the “man cave” that Anderson wrote for him, signed in 1991.

The house was designed by modernist architect Jim Fox. Photo courtesy of Highlands Sotheby’s International Realty

In the early 2000s, the owners at the time hired the Highlands-based Fox to add an expansion, including a terrace with a stone fireplace, a plunge pool and waterfall. That’s in addition to a wraparound deck that extends from the main level as if suspended over the mountains, surrounded by minimalist green railings.

The sellers, who couldn’t be reached for comment, purchased the property in July 2024 for $2.975 million, above the asking price, and after only a few days on the market. Due to unforeseen health issues, they are looking to unload it sooner than expected, Lovell said.

Highlands, located in the southwest corner of North Carolina, is a popular vacation spot in the South because of its surrounding natural beauty and milder mountain climate. Since the pandemic, it has received a surge of interest from further afield.

“Deliverance” was filmed in Rabun County, Georgia, the pointed northeastern of the state, which juts into North Carolina and borders South Carolina.

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Real Estate Returns Rebound as Investors Shift from Caution to Confidence

Australian real estate is showing signs of a comeback, with new data revealing accelerating returns across all major property sectors and improving investor confidence.

The latest Q3 2025 Australian Real Asset Review from Dexus Research highlights a positive shift in momentum, driven by falling interest rates, stabilising vacancy rates and renewed business sentiment.

The report suggests that the market may be transitioning from a period of “Fear of Acting Too Early (FATE)” to “Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)” as capital begins to flow back into real assets.

Unlisted property funds are leading the resurgence, posting their strongest returns in two years in June 2025, particularly in retail and industrial.

Dexus forecasts sector-wide returns exceeding 7% per annum within the next 12 months, buoyed by positive revaluations and rising deal activity.

In the office sector, the Sydney CBD appears to be entering a classic recovery cycle.

For high-quality assets, capitalisation rates are believed to have peaked, vacancy rates are levelling off, and rental growth is back on the rise. With demand strengthening and limited new supply, Dexus says this could mark a rare window of opportunity for investors.

Retail property is also showing signs of renewed strength, helped by real wage growth and declining mortgage rates. CBD vacancy rates have dropped and rents are firming, especially in regional shopping centres.

Meanwhile, infrastructure transaction volumes rose significantly in Q2 2025, with renewed focus on renewable energy and battery storage projects.

Government spending is playing a major role, with the Federal Government’s $60 billion infrastructure pipeline and various state initiatives expected to drive new project originations into 2026.

Overall business confidence is improving, even amid a sluggish broader economy. Falling inflation, political stability, and a rising equities market are contributing to stronger leasing expectations in the second half of the year.

“Global uncertainty continues to influence sentiment in capital and occupier real asset markets,” said Peter Studley, Dexus Head of Research.

“However, with interest rates falling and supply constrained, there are compelling reasons to expect stronger real estate returns in the months ahead. The big question is, how quickly will the tide turn from Fear of Acting Too Early (FATE) to Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) for real asset investors?”