Crafting meaningful developments for twenty five years
Conversations of today
Crafting meaningful developments for twenty five years
Conversations of today
An intro to the expert
Farnoud Erfanian -Nozar
After more than 25 rewarding years in the property development industry, my mission is simple: to share quality advice and meaningful insights that help guide others on their own path in this field. Today, I’d like to introduce myself and share a bit of my journey—how I got started, what I’ve learned, and how I can support you in your ow
After more than 25 rewarding years in the property development industry, my mission is simple: to share quality advice and meaningful insights that help guide others on their own path in this field. Today, I’d like to introduce myself and share a bit of my journey—how I got started, what I’ve learned, and how I can support you in your own development journey.
My story begins with my dad, a carpenter. When I was 16, I started helping him on weekends—mostly for the extra pocket money—but I quickly found myself drawn to the process of building something from the ground up. That early exposure sparked a deep passion for property development that stuck with me long before I finished school.
At 18, I went into business with my dad. I borrowed some money, took on a few small unit projects, and began building from there—literally and figuratively. Over the years, each new project brought new lessons and growth. It’s been a fulfilling journey, one that’s allowed me to continually develop my skills and see tangible, lasting results from my work.
Today, my greatest passion lies in helping people—both by creating high-quality, affordable housing and by sharing what I’ve learned with others. There’s something truly gratifying about transforming a space into something that serves a community and stands the test of time. From identifying the right location and materials to collaborating with architects on design, I still find immense purpose in the work I do.
If you’re new to property development, my advice will vary depending on your background and where you see yourself fitting into the industry.
- For those coming from a trade or TAFE background: Start small. Take on manageable projects and learn everything you can on the job. Use each experience to build your confidence and capabilities.
- For those entering from a university or corporate background: Immerse yourself in the systems and processes of the company you’re in. That experience can be an invaluable foundation and a springboard into your own independent ventures.
One thing that remains true no matter your path: the property development landscape is constantly evolving. Adaptability is key. The broader your skill set, and the more environments you expose yourself to, the better equipped you’ll be to carve out your own space in the industry.
I hope this blog becomes a trusted resource as you grow your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and build your career—whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next big step.
March 2025
Designing for Togetherness: Accommodating Multi-Generational Living in Modern Homes
As the cost of living rises and family dynamics shift, multi-generational living is making a strong comeback. Whether it's adult children staying longer at home, elderly parents moving in, or families simply choosing to stay more connected, the need for thoughtful, flexible home design has never been greater.
Multi-generational living can be deeply rewarding—fostering closeness, reducing expenses, and providing built-in support systems. But to make it work, a home must be designed (or redesigned) with the right balance of privacy, accessibility, and shared space. In this blog, we’ll explore the key elements to consider when designing homes that accommodate multiple generations under one roof.
1. Separate, Yet Connected Spaces
Privacy is one of the most crucial factors in multi-generational home design. Every generation should have a space to retreat to—whether that’s a private bedroom, living area, or even a self-contained suite.
Design ideas:
- Dual master suites: One on each floor, to accommodate elderly parents or adult children.
- Granny flats or studio apartments: Detached or semi-detached spaces with a small kitchen and bathroom.
- Private entries: Allowing one part of the house to be accessed independently.
These features allow family members to live together without sacrificing autonomy, and they can also add value to the property.
2. Flexible Floor Plans
Flexibility is key in homes that serve multiple needs. Life circumstances change—children grow up, grandparents may need more care, or tenants may move in temporarily. A flexible floor plan ensures the home can adapt accordingly.
Tips for flexibility:
- Movable walls or partitions to reconfigure spaces as needed.
- Dual-purpose rooms like a home office that can double as a guest bedroom.
- Open-plan living areas that can be easily subdivided with furniture or sliding doors.
Designing with the future in mind helps homeowners avoid costly renovations down the line.
3. Accessibility and Aging in Place
If aging parents are part of the household, accessibility becomes a top priority. Designing with aging in place principles means the home will remain functional and safe over the long term.
Accessibility features:
- Ground-floor living spaces
- Wider doorways and hallways for wheelchair access
- Non-slip flooring, lever handles, and walk-in showers
- Minimal steps and ramps where needed
By incorporating these elements early, the home becomes a more inclusive and future-proof space.
4. Shared Living, Smart Zoning
Living together doesn’t mean sharing everything. Well-zoned homes separate high-traffic communal areas from quiet, private zones to prevent friction and maintain comfort for all.
Common zoning considerations:
- Noise control: Use insulation, double-glazed windows, and strategic room placement.
- Multiple living areas: Family members can enjoy quiet time or entertain guests without overlap.
- Shared kitchens and laundries: Larger, dual-appliance layouts can prevent bottlenecks.
Thoughtful zoning enables harmony in a busy, shared household.
5. Outdoor Spaces with Purpose
Outdoor areas play a vital role in multi-generational living. They offer room to relax, garden, entertain, or enjoy a bit of solitude.
Outdoor design ideas:
- Private patios for guest or in-law suites
- Shared entertainment areas like BBQ zones or alfresco dining
- Safe play areas for young children
- Low-maintenance gardens for older family members
Well-designed outdoor spaces can extend the usable living area of the home and provide a mental and physical health boost for all ages.
Final Thoughts: Designing for Connection and Independence
Multi-generational living is more than just a trend—it’s a lifestyle that reflects deeper values of connection, care, and resilience. With smart design, a home can support multiple generations comfortably, ensuring everyone has space to thrive both together and independently.
As a developer or homeowner, embracing this model can mean creating homes that serve not just the market, but the families who live in them. And that’s a legacy worth building.
December 2024
7 Essential Points to Consider Before Buying Regional Property
Dreaming of the regional life? The sea breeze, rolling hills, and slower lifestyle entice many residents to escape the big smoke for a life in the countryside.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded the largest migration to regional areas in more than 20 years. Though we’re well out of the lockdown woods, many are still hearing the call of the mountains. A desire to be closer to nature, family, or good old peace and quiet are tempting – but country life is far different from city life, and there are many factors to consider before making the move.
1. Affordability
Lower property prices are a significant driving force behind the move to regional areas. If a price tag seems too good to be true, there might be a catch: is the property in disrepair or in the middle of nowhere?
2. Amenities
If you forget an important ingredient for dinner, do you face a long drive to the supermarket? Will the school drop-off become a small road trip? If you fly regularly, how far away is the nearest airport? Consider the amenities that are important to your lifestyle, and how far you are willing to travel for them.
3. Internet speeds
Working from home? Regional internet speeds may not match those in the city. Consider if the internet is speedy enough to handle a Zoom call or evening Netflix binge.
4. Public transport
Public transport opens the door to independence for many people. Bus and train services might be scarce or non-existent in regional areas, limiting the independence of those who do not drive. This could result in a sense of isolation or extra chauffeuring to take family members where they need to go.
5. Lifestyle
Does the region match your lifestyle? If you love spending time outdoors, you may want to consider a home close to a national park. If you’re trying to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, perhaps you’d love a property far away from the noise of a main road.
6. Infrastructure development
Is there anything exciting in the local council’s pipeline that might enhance your quality of life, such as entertainment venues, medical facilities, shopping centres, or parks? Not only will this improve day-to-day living, but it is likely to raise your property value, too.
7. Long-term needs
Purchasing a property is a significant decision, so it’s essential you take the whole family’s long-term needs into account. For instance, if your children are entering high school in the next few years, how far will they need to travel for their studies?
Regional areas can offer a variety of lifestyle opportunities – but while the wide-open spaces are tempting, it’s important to consider your long-term needs and plans before taking the plunge. Do your research, explore your options, and make an informed decision that will ensure comfort and happiness not only now, but in the future, too.
September 2024
The Connection Between Home Design and Mental Health
Did you know there’s a link between building design and mental health? It’s called architectural psychology. The connection between the two is very real, and disregarding it when making design choices could harm your wellbeing.
Would you rather kick back in a naturally lit room with a colour palette that’s gentle on the eyes, or a dark room with no windows and a mismatched paint job? Most likely, you’d prefer the first choice – a preference influenced by architectural psychology, the connection between our mental processes and the built environment.
Considering we spend over 90 per cent of our time indoors, architectural psychology plays a significant role in our wellbeing. There are many elements of design that can affect how we feel, so paying careful attention to these can make a big difference to our happiness in the long run.
Natural light
Exposure to natural light aids our circadian rhythm, helps our bodies produce vitamin D, and helps us focus. Natural light also helps with energy efficiency by reducing the need for artificial lights and heating. Consider the placement and size of your windows alongside the addition of skylights, mirrors, or even a conservatory.
Colour
Different colours spark different emotions, so choose your home’s colour palette wisely. Warm colours such as red, orange, and yellow evoke happiness, optimism, and passion. On the other hand, cool colours such as green, blue, and purple bring about feelings of calmness, security, and relaxation.
Outdoor space
There’s an endless list of mental health benefits that come with spending time outdoors, such as a relaxed mood, improved sleep, and mental restoration. Incorporating elements of the outdoors within a property’s architectural design, through features such as sunlit courtyards or balconies, helps foster these benefits.
Layout
A functional home is a happy home. Thoughtful design can be achieved through careful consideration of how residents move through the home, providing ample storage, and dedicated spaces for retreating and coming together.
Noise
While you can’t control when your neighbours decide to throw a party, you can control noise levels in your own home. Sealing your windows and doors and adding carpet, additional insulation, and curtains all play a role in mitigating noise.
The architecture of our homes doesn’t just create a physical space, it shapes our mental landscape. So, as you design your living spaces, remember: the aim is to build not just a beautiful abode, but a haven for your wellbeing.
June 2024
The Growing Build-To-Rent Market in Australia
There has been some reprieve in the house price boom, but the rental market is going the other way with rental costs rising and housing availability dropping.
The rental market is reaching crisis point with long queues at inspections and bidding wars on leases becoming an unfortunate norm in 2023.
Australians find themselves in the midst of a housing crisis with rising rates, rental costs and cost of living pressures are taking their toll.
Almost one third (32 per cent) of Australians are renting but scarcity isn’t simply driving demand, it is putting pressure on the market and creating big problems for people seeking stable, safe and consistent rental opportunities.
Before we reach breaking point, other solutions are needed and one that is making a real impact is the build-to-rent model which is a welcome boost to the rental market.
While the build-to-rent sector has remained a new concept to Australian shores, it has proven its success overseas and is experiencing growth across the nation.
Build-to-rent is in its infancy in Australia but is gaining real momentum, it will soon be a more mainstream and widely considered model of housing and it is coming at an ideal time.
What is build-to-rent?
Put simply, build-to-rent offers the flexibility of renting with the security of home ownership.
These properties are purpose-build for renters, not landlords, and rented out directly to the tenant. Renters often enjoy flexibilities around painting walls, hanging up pictures and keeping pets on the premises, as well as additional amenities such as swimming pools, green spaces and co-working areas. Thanks to the nature of these developments, they aim to foster a sought-out sense of community. Build-to-rent properties may range from a building encompassing several units right through to high-rises.
How can build-to-rent assist housing affordability?
While the build-to-rent model wasn’t originally designed to combat the housing affordability crisis, they offer an attractive solution. With the cost of living on the rise, we are unlikely to see stories of skyrocketing rent fade into the background anytime soon. Build-to-rent offers new accommodation with flexibility that is attractive to renters. Many developers are happy for renters to stay for any amount of time that suits them, or even offering the option to upsize to a larger apartment within the building to accommodate life changes.
Some build-to-rent projects are required to include lower-cost options as part of the development. A great example of this is the Queensland Build-to-Rent Pilot Project, which will see two projects include 240 apartments with cheaper rent.
Across the nation, there are over 7000 institutional build-to-rent units in the pipeline for delivery by 2024. Melbourne is in the lead, currently accounting for 68 per cent of the total number of units, with Sydney in second place at 21 per cent.
Who is build-to-rent suited towards?
The housing crisis does not discriminate. While build-to-rent properties usually come in the form of apartments, they come in various sizes to accommodate singles as well as couples and families. Various build-to-rent properties have been developed with specific demographics in mind, taking location, design and amenities into account to cater to their desired demographic.
There are different types of build-to-rent developments being tested in the Australian market, finding that they work well in desirable suburbs. While build-to-rent is a hot topic, it still has its risks. If caution is not exercised or there is no funding early on, the project has the potential to fail.
March 2024
Why Home Builders are Collapsing and How You Can Protect Yourself
The consequences of the pandemic have put a strain on our wallets; it’s something all of us have felt in one way or another. From purchasing home-school supplies right through to staggering prices of rapid antigen tests, the pandemic has had unprecedented effects on our bank accounts.
Though we are continuing to bounce back to the comforts of normal life, the construction industry continues to feel the pressures of residual pandemic problems. With construction costs rising, several Australian construction companies have gone bankrupt, leaving hundreds of Australians in financial limbo without a completed home to show for it.
Following continuous struggles including supply chain issues, high material costs and labour shortages, a large number of Australian companies have been forced into bankruptcy. If a builder is forced to walk away before the project is complete, the homeowner is faced with a lot of wasted money and additional costs in completing the build as they look for a new construction company to pick up the job.
In turn, this worsens the skilled labour shortage, with many deciding to leave the industry altogether.
There are a couple of things homeowners can do to protect themselves from being faced with this situation.
The most important thing is to do your research thoroughly and ensure the builder you select is reputable. The goal is to find a builder who is financially robust and is therefore less unlikely to go bankrupt; settling for a cheaper company runs a higher risk of facing insolvency in the future.
Before appointing a builder for your project, assess the financial stability of the builder before giving the green light. Perform a credit check and look into acquiring credit insurance to protect yourself. Be wary of red flags such as credit issues or if the builder has engaged in misconduct.
It’s also essential to ensure the builder is adequately insured, given the current climate. You can speak with them and ask to see a certificate confirming liability insurance.
It is vital that you understand and exercise your rights in this current environment. It is highly recommended that anyone about to enter into a contract with a builder seeks legal advice on their contractual documents, as this will help ensure they have the best possible protection should insolvency occur.
Seek advice at the earliest opportunity wherever possible. Though rights may be limited in the event a company does go into administration, through seeking initial advice you will find yourself better prepared to take steps to protect yourself and investigate alternative options sooner. This will also enable you to negotiate with the developer to reach a beneficial resolution in the event things begin to go south.
When concerns begin to arise, it’s also important to consider carefully whether the rights to terminate the contract are sufficiently broad. Is the contractor displaying genuine warning signs of insolvency (such as suspension of work by the contractor, failure to pay subcontractors or a decrease of presence on site)? Circumstantial evidence will usually be present, so it’s vital to acquire the needed advice to protect yourself.
January 2024
Five Ways to Reduce Construction Costs
With escalating construction costs, maintaining a well-organised build and staying within budget can feel like an impossible task. However, there are some key things you can do to take some of the stress out of your build.
- Be prepared
A crucial aspect of ensuring a successful build or renovation is preparation. By investing time in research, planning, inspecting site and soil quality, and researching local zoning regulations, you can anticipate potential challenges and minimise disruptions. Being prepared enables you to make informed decisions throughout the project, paving the way for a smoother construction experience.
2. Reduce waste
With the cost of building supplies on the rise, it's important to find ways to cut down on construction waste. One smart approach is to use prefabricated components that are made off-site, which can help keep waste to a minimum. Also, think about using recycled or repurposed building materials – it's not only eco-friendly, but can also be budget friendly.
3. Off the shelf products
With consistent supply issues racking up costs, it's best to stick to products that are easily available in standard sizes. This might mean making compromises on the design or materials in return for faster construction and lower costs.
4. Project homes
A project home is a type of residence constructed by volume builders, featuring set plans that are built with minor adjustments based on the owner's preferences. Project home designs consider lot size, liveability, and style; and if you’re not quite sure, there’s often a display home you can visit to get a feel for yourself.
5. Experience
Hiring an experienced design and construction team may initially cost more, but their ability to leverage past project experience can lead to a higher-quality build and long-term cost savings.
In the end, taking the time to plan and prepare can save you a lot of hassle and money, and maybe even your sanity! With proper planning, you can efficiently manage your construction project, avoid delays and costly mistakes, and most importantly deliver a final build you can be proud of.