Latest news with #Sydney-based
7NEWS
17 minutes ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
Inside edge: Why a buyers' advocate is now essential in regional hotspots
In tightly held coastal towns like Byron Bay, Bangalow, Lennox Head and Kingscliff, many of the best homes are sold before they even appear online. In this climate, working with a buyers' advocate has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity. Nick Goldsbrough-Reardon, Director and Buyers Advocate at Compass, says buyers today need more than enthusiasm and a alert. "In high-demand areas, the best properties are often sold before they're listed," he explains. "A buyers' advocate gives clients access, speed, and strategic advice that helps them avoid costly mistakes and beat the competition." A common misconception among buyers, Goldsbrough-Reardon notes, is that they can simply watch the major portals and wait for the right property to appear. But the reality is that standout homes are often sold off-market, or snapped up within days. More critically, many buyers are unaware of zoning risks, flood and bushfire overlays, or planning restrictions, which can turn a dream home into a liability or lemon. "It's not just about finding a home," he says. "It's about knowing what you're buying, and what you're not." One of the biggest advantages of working with a buyers' advocate is access to off-market properties. Compass has built long-standing relationships with selling agents, developers and local vendors across the Northern Rivers and Tweed Coast. "We're often offered properties before they launch publicly," Goldsbrough-Reardon says. "And we proactively approach homeowners whose properties match our clients' briefs." This behind-the-scenes access can make all the difference, especially when demand outpaces supply. "Getting A-Grade stock before it is listed online can be the difference between settling for something that is available or securing your 10/10 dream home," he says. A recent success story illustrates just how effective this can be. Goldsbrough-Reardon worked with a Sydney-based client seeking a secluded beachfront home in Pottsville. The property was secured 100 percent off-market. Compass managed all the due diligence, including navigating flood zoning concerns, negotiating favourable terms, and finalising the purchase privately. The entire deal was wrapped up within 72 hours of the initial inspection, well ahead of several other interested buyers. What sets Compass apart from other agencies is not just its access to listings, but its commitment to full-service representation. The firm has a dedicated team of four agents and two support staff, with deep local knowledge and a full-time office in the region. They work seven days a week, maintain strong trust with local agents, and tailor strategies for each client's unique goals. "These aren't just transactions, they're long-term investments in lifestyle and wealth," Goldsbrough-Reardon says. "We act with discretion and integrity, and that earns us the trust of vendors and agents, which in turn benefits our clients." In today's market, speed, strategy and insight are just as important as budget. With rising competition and a growing number of homes selling off-market, having a buyers' advocate who understands the local dynamics, and can move quickly, is a clear advantage.
West Australian
an hour ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Islamist preacher unable to 'bury' anti-Semitism ruling
An Islamist preacher who used harmful racial stereotypes about Jewish people in sermons will be forced to tell the world of his anti-Semitism through prominent online posts. Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre cleric Wissam Haddad was ordered by the Federal Court earlier in July not to repeat the perverse and racist tropes used in a series of fiery sermons from November 2023. In the speeches, Mr Haddad - who is also known as William Haddad or Abu Ousayd - variously referred to Jewish people as "vile", "treacherous", "murderous" and "mischievous". Justice Angus Stewart found the sermons contained "perverse generalisations" against Jewish people and included racist, anti-Semitic tropes. The judge on Thursday ordered the preacher "pin" or "feature" corrective notices describing the court's findings to the centre's website and social media pages on Facebook, Rumble, Instagram and Soundcloud. He has been given 21 days to comply with the order and the posts had not been made as of Thursday afternoon. Mr Haddad objected to prominently displaying the notices, saying this would go beyond what was ordinarily ordered by the courts. Pinning the posts would be tantamount to promoting or advertising the findings, he said. Justice Stewart ordered the notices to be pinned for 30 days, saying the requirement was not unduly burdensome and would stop them disappearing from view. "It will prevent them from being deliberately buried by way of successive further posts," the judge wrote. Promoting the notices was part of their objective, he said. "The respondents promoted the unlawful lectures and it is not disproportionate to require them to promote the corrective notice in the relatively constrained manner described above as an appropriate form of redress," he wrote in his judgment. The notice itself highlights the "unlawful behaviour based on racial hatred" of Mr Haddad and the centre. The three lectures - titled "The Jews of Al Medina" and published on video hosting site Rumble - were reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate Jewish members of the Australian community, the notice says. The lawsuit was brought by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot, who claimed the lectures were offensive and could incite violence towards Jewish people. The pair said they were vindicated by Justice Stewart's findings, saying no community in Australia should be dehumanised. "Freedom of expression should not be abused by the promotion of hateful anti-Semitism and those who wish to do so should know that conduct shouldn't be tolerated by us," Mr Goot told reporters after the judgment. The cleric has been ordered to remove the lectures and not to repeat similar racist statements about Jewish people in public. He will also have to pay the legal bill for Mr Wertheim and Mr Goot, which is estimated to be in the six figures. Mr Haddad's speeches were delivered after Hamas, designated by Australia as a terrorist group, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack sparked Israeli retaliation that has left Gaza in turmoil and tens of thousands of civilians dead.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Islamist preacher unable to 'bury' anti-Semitism ruling
An Islamist preacher who used harmful racial stereotypes about Jewish people in sermons will be forced to tell the world of his anti-Semitism through prominent online posts. Sydney-based Al Madina Dawah Centre cleric Wissam Haddad was ordered by the Federal Court earlier in July not to repeat the perverse and racist tropes used in a series of fiery sermons from November 2023. In the speeches, Mr Haddad - who is also known as William Haddad or Abu Ousayd - variously referred to Jewish people as "vile", "treacherous", "murderous" and "mischievous". Justice Angus Stewart found the sermons contained "perverse generalisations" against Jewish people and included racist, anti-Semitic tropes. The judge on Thursday ordered the preacher "pin" or "feature" corrective notices describing the court's findings to the centre's website and social media pages on Facebook, Rumble, Instagram and Soundcloud. He has been given 21 days to comply with the order and the posts had not been made as of Thursday afternoon. Mr Haddad objected to prominently displaying the notices, saying this would go beyond what was ordinarily ordered by the courts. Pinning the posts would be tantamount to promoting or advertising the findings, he said. Justice Stewart ordered the notices to be pinned for 30 days, saying the requirement was not unduly burdensome and would stop them disappearing from view. "It will prevent them from being deliberately buried by way of successive further posts," the judge wrote. Promoting the notices was part of their objective, he said. "The respondents promoted the unlawful lectures and it is not disproportionate to require them to promote the corrective notice in the relatively constrained manner described above as an appropriate form of redress," he wrote in his judgment. The notice itself highlights the "unlawful behaviour based on racial hatred" of Mr Haddad and the centre. The three lectures - titled "The Jews of Al Medina" and published on video hosting site Rumble - were reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate Jewish members of the Australian community, the notice says. The lawsuit was brought by Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim and deputy president Robert Goot, who claimed the lectures were offensive and could incite violence towards Jewish people. The pair said they were vindicated by Justice Stewart's findings, saying no community in Australia should be dehumanised. "Freedom of expression should not be abused by the promotion of hateful anti-Semitism and those who wish to do so should know that conduct shouldn't be tolerated by us," Mr Goot told reporters after the judgment. The cleric has been ordered to remove the lectures and not to repeat similar racist statements about Jewish people in public. He will also have to pay the legal bill for Mr Wertheim and Mr Goot, which is estimated to be in the six figures. Mr Haddad's speeches were delivered after Hamas, designated by Australia as a terrorist group, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. The attack sparked Israeli retaliation that has left Gaza in turmoil and tens of thousands of civilians dead.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney banker on grooming charges found dead south of Brisbane
A Sydney-based banker who was charged with grooming underage girls for sex has been found dead on the Gold Coast hinterland, two days after he was released from a Brisbane cell on bail. Christopher James McCann appeared in Brisbane Arrest Court on Monday, charged with one count of using the internet to procure children aged under 16. McCann had been extradited to Queensland last Thursday, following his arrest by New South Wales police. McCann, who had no prior criminal record, was released on Monday under strict bail conditions, which included living in Queensland during the court proceedings, an overnight curfew and being limited to one mobile phone with no encrypted applications. A Queensland Police spokeswoman confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious and urged people to seek help if they were distressed. 'A report will be prepared for the coroner following the non-suspicious death of a man at Springbrook yesterday,' the spokeswoman said.
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
Sydney banker on grooming charges found dead south of Brisbane
A Sydney-based banker who was charged with grooming underage girls for sex has been found dead on the Gold Coast hinterland, two days after he was released from a Brisbane cell on bail. Christopher James McCann appeared in Brisbane Arrest Court on Monday, charged with one count of using the internet to procure children aged under 16. McCann had been extradited to Queensland last Thursday, following his arrest by New South Wales police. McCann, who had no prior criminal record, was released on Monday under strict bail conditions, which included living in Queensland during the court proceedings, an overnight curfew and being limited to one mobile phone with no encrypted applications. A Queensland Police spokeswoman confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious and urged people to seek help if they were distressed. 'A report will be prepared for the coroner following the non-suspicious death of a man at Springbrook yesterday,' the spokeswoman said.
