Community News

Do your homework before signing on the dotted line, says Redstone first home buyer Michael Bartolo.

A market-savvy AMP superannuation consultant, Michael conferred with his sister, who he’d seen bringing up her kids at Villawood’s Aspire.

He checked out Villawood’s Armstrong community near Geelong while visiting family at Torquay where its residents’ club and other features underscore a busy community.

Michael compared estates adjoining Villawood communities, noting a significant difference every time.

He weighed up the cost of residents’ clubs against public gym, pool and other facility levies. He scrutinised transport options, developer reputations, and available and impending infrastructure.

For a 25-year-old Keilor man keen to secure a solid housing future, all roads led to Sunbury’s Redstone.

“It’s just 20 minutes from where I’ve lived all my life,” Michael says.

“I’m looking to get into the market, start out for a 10 or 15-year goal of betting married and having kids.

“Villawood has attracted me for a while. My sister, Stephanie, bought into Aspire in Stage 1.

“There was an article in the newspaper about her and her husband buying at Aspire. They’re still there and really happy.

“I saw it grow from Stage 1 to hundreds of homes. Villawood’s been around 30 years so it’s a company I felt I could trust.

“I’ve been to see different estates and compare them. Aspire stood out so much from rest – you can tell straight away when you’ve left it and gone into the next.”

So Michael had been eyeing Redstone for some time.

“Even before it was announced, I had my eye on this street, Lory Circuit, in The Maples.

“I talked a lot with Matt Craighead. He was great, right from day one, we’ve been chatting since November and he’d answer any question I had.

“I’d already had a look at builders. There’s a lot of competitiveness there but for me it was all about securing that block I wanted.

“Features-wise, I was drawn to Redstone mainly by the club with its gym, pools, function rooms, outdoor areas, family facilities. I looked at other estates, did my research.

“Redstone was a bit more premium price-wise but I want somewhere good if I’m coming to live there. I looked at the other estates sand I liked community vibe aspect.

“With the other estates, it’s just a house, but Villawood has the best setting.”