Home & Lifestyle July 16 2026

A PROUD HISTORY

TRUST, EXPERIENCE AND GROWTH AT LJ HOOKER

This month marks a significant milestone for Peter and Kerrie Stanford and the team at LJ Hooker Penrith as they celebrate 32 years of ownership of one of western Sydney’s most respected real estate businesses.

Since taking over the business on July 1 1994, the pair have built LJ Hooker Penrith on a foundation of integrity, exceptional customer service and a genuine commitment to the local community. What began as a vision to provide outstanding real estate services has grown into one of the region’s most recognised and trusted agencies, helping thousands of families buy, sell, lease and invest across Penrith and the surrounding suburbs.

“Our success has never been measured solely by the number of properties we sell or manage,” said Peter Stanford.

“It’s about the relationships we’ve built with our clients, many of whom have trusted us across multiple generations. That trust is something we never take for granted.”

While celebrating 32 years is a remarkable achievement in itself, this month’s anniversary is made even more special with another exciting chapter in the agency’s continued growth.

July also marks the official integration of the Bespoke Realty Rent Roll into LJ Hooker Penrith, further strengthening what is already one of western Sydney’s most awarded property management businesses.

“THAT TRUST IS SOMETHING WE NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED”

The acquisition represents far more than an increase in the number of properties under management. It reflects the confidence that local property owners continue to place in the team’s experience, systems and commitment to delivering exceptional service. Existing Bespoke Realty landlords and tenants can look forward to the same personalised care they have always received, now supported by the resources, technology and expertise of LJ Hooker Penrith.

Leading this exciting next chapter is Melissa Jerzyna, Director of Property Management, whose reputation within the real estate industry is second to none.

Property management has long been a cornerstone of LJ Hooker Penrith’s success. The business has consistently invested in exceptional people, industry-leading technology and continuous training, recognising that long-term relationships are the key to successful property investment.

For Peter and Kerrie Stanford, growth has always been about creating opportunities –not only for the business, but for their clients, their team and the wider community.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the past 32 years, but we’re just as excited about what lies ahead,” said Kerrie Stanford.

“Welcoming the Bespoke Realty Rent Roll into our business is another important step in our journey. It allows us to continue investing in our people, improving our services and delivering even greater value to our clients. Having Melissa leading our Property Management Division gives both our existing and new clients complete confidence that their investments are in exceptional hands.”

PEACEFUL AND PRESTIGE

What is so great about this property?

What makes 55 Coughlan Road stand out is its peaceful, family-friendly cul-de-sac position and immaculate private back-

yard, featuring a heated magnesium pool, outdoor kitchen, and cosy gas fireplace, creating the perfect space for relaxed family living and year-round entertaining.

Who does this property suit?

Growing families, avid entertainers and buyers seeking a peaceful lifestyle.

Tell us about the suburb the

property is in?

Blaxland offers an exceptional lifestyle opportunity, combining the serenity of the mountains with the convenience of suburban living.

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You can choose from an exceptional selection of architecturally designed townhomes located near all the town’s popular amenities and most loved at tractions.

Ideal for growing families, downsizers and couples, these distinctive residences of fer excellent value-for-money.

• Spacious, designer interiors

• Landscaped grounds

• Two to five-bedroom layouts

• Private porches and cour tyards

• Family-friendly living areas

• Premium finishes and inclusions

• Tranquil locations

Ready for you to move in, these elegant townhomes are curated for comfor t and practicality. A beautiful lifest yle in one of Au stralia’s fastest growing suburbs awaits

The Experts

KNEE LIGAMENT INJURIES IN DOGS: EXPLAINER

Just like people, dogs can suffer painful knee injuries that affect their ability to walk, run and enjoy everyday life. One of the most common orthopaedic conditions seen in veterinary practice is a cruciate ligament injury. This important ligament stabilises the knee joint, and when it becomes damaged or tears, the joint becomes painful and unstable.

Unlike people, where these injuries often occur during sport, dogs can rupture their cruciate ligament during everyday activities such as running, jumping, chasing a ball or even turning too quickly.

The symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury, but common signs include limping on a back leg, difficulty standing after resting, reluctance to run, jump or climb stairs, crying out when using the leg, and muscle loss in the affected limb over time. If your dog is showing any of these signs, it is important to arrange a veterinary

examination. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce pain and help minimise long-term damage to the joint. Without appropriate care, ongoing instability often leads to arthritis and chronic discomfort.

There is rarely a single cause of a cruciate ligament injury. Excess body weight places additional stress on the knee joints, making overweight dogs more susceptible to ligament damage. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most effective ways to reduce pressure on your dog’s joints. Some breeds, particularly larger dogs such as Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers and German Shepherds, are also more prone to cruciate ligament disease.

Age-related wear and tear can gradually weaken the ligament, while active dogs that enjoy running, jumping or sudden changes of direction may be at greater risk, although these injuries can occur in dogs of any age or lifestyle.

Diagnosis begins with a thor-

ough veterinary examination. Your veterinarian will assess your dog’s gait and carefully examine the knee for signs of instability. In some cases, sedation or a general anaesthetic may be recommended, allowing your dog to be fully relaxed so the knee can be accurately manipulated without causing unnecessary discomfort or resistance. X-rays are commonly taken to assess the

joint, identify signs of arthritis and rule out other causes of lameness. Although X-rays cannot directly show the ligament itself, they provide valuable information that helps guide diagnosis and treatment.

For many dogs, surgery offers the best opportunity to return to a comfortable, active life. The most appropriate surgical technique depends on factors including your dog’s size, age, activity level and the severity of the injury. Rehabilitation, including controlled exercise and physiotherapy, also plays an important role in achieving the best possible outcome.

If your dog develops a persistent limp or seems reluctant to use a back leg, don’t assume it will simply improve with rest. Prompt veterinary attention can make a significant difference to your dog’s recovery, comfort and longterm joint health.

For further information, contact the friendly team at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital on 4736 2027.

A YEAR-ROUND COMMITMENT

As sporting seasons get underway, many teenage athletes reduce or completely stop their strength and conditioning to focus on team training, games and recovery. While managing workload is important, removing strength training altogether can negatively impact performance and Strength training during competition season

Strength and conditioning during the season is not about constantly pushing athletes harder or creating more fatigue. Instead, the goal is to maintain and continue developing the physical qualities that support sporting performance, including strength, power, speed and movement

Supporting performance and reducing injury risk

Throughout a season, athletes are exposed to repeated demands from training and competition. Maintaining strength helps their bodies better tolerate

these demands, while also supporting efficient movement patterns and reducing the risk of injuries. For teenage athletes, this is particularly important as they are still developing physically and building the foundations that will support their long-term sporting journey.

In-season training also plays an important role in performance. Strength and power are physical qualities that can decline when training is stopped for extended periods. A well-designed program helps athletes maintain the improvements they have made during pre-season.

Training smarter, not harder

The key to successful in-season strength and conditioning is adjusting the program to complement the athlete’s sport. Training volume, intensity, and exercise selection should be modified around team training sessions and competition schedules. This may involve shorter sessions focused on maintaining

strength and improving power.

Building stronger athletes for the future

For young athletes, continuing strength and conditioning also helps develop confidence in the gym and teaches important skills such as correct lifting technique, consistency and understanding how to prepare their bodies for sport.

This additional training should be viewed as a part of an athlete’s sporting development, not something that only happens in the off-season.

When planned appropriately, in-season training allows athletes to stay strong and prepared to perform at their best.

WHAT FALLING PRICES REALLY MEAN FOR

For the first time in years, the headlines are talking about house prices going down rather than up. After a long run of gains, national dwelling values recorded their largest monthly fall in three and a half years in June, and Sydney has led the slide, posting the biggest decline of any capital city.

For anyone who has spent the past few years watching prices climb out of reach, that shift raises an obvious question: is now actually a good time to buy?

What’s driving the fall

The correction has two main causes. The Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate three times through early 2026, taking it to 4.35 per cent and cutting borrowing power sharply each 0.25 per cent rise trims roughly $12,000 off what an average income earner can borrow, so three hikes in a row have taken around $36,000 off a single-income buyer’s capacity, and closer to $72,000 for a dual-income couple.

At the same time, the May 2026 Federal Budget overhauled property tax settings, tightening negative gearing and changing the capital gains tax discount for established properties bought from July 1 2027. Investors have pulled back as a result, and auction clearance rates have sat below 50 per cent since late May.

Sydney house values are now sitting a little over two per cent below their November 2025 peak, with houses feeling more pressure than units.

Why a falling market can still favour buyers

It sounds counterintuitive, but a softer market often works in a genuine buyer’s favour, for a few reasons:

• Less competition. With clearance rates down and stock on the market rising, buyers have more room to negotiate and less pressure to bid emotionally.

• More time. Vendors are more willing to talk terms, and buyers aren’t forced into rushed decisions.

• It’s relative. As one Sydney economist put it, if prices fall 10 per cent across the board, the home you’re selling falls by the same amount as the home you’re buying, so if you’re moving within the market rather than cashing out altogether, a falling market isn’t necessarily a loss.

The other side of the ledger

It isn’t all upside, and a responsible read of the market has to include the headwinds:

• Borrowing power is down, which for many buyers cancels out some or all of the benefit of a lower purchase price.

• Forecasts are mixed. Some banks expect

only a small dip before recovery later in 2026 and into 2027; others, including Morgan Stanley, have flagged the possibility of a 5–10 per cent correction. Nobody has certainty here.

• Not every suburb is falling. Western Sydney’s growth corridors; Penrith, St Marys, Parramatta and the Aerotropolis precinct continue to see solid demand on the back of infrastructure investment, including the new airport, even while the broader Sydney market softens.

The bottom line

A cooling market can create a genuine window for well-prepared buyers particularly those who aren’t stretched to their absolute borrowing limit and who have a longer-term horizon rather than a need to time the very bottom. But the same rate rises that are cooling prices have also cut what most people can borrow, and the tax and lending settings around property have changed materially this year. Whether it’s the right time to buy comes down to your own numbers, your borrowing capacity, your deposit, and how long you plan to hold the property more than it does to the headline trend. That’s worth working through properly, with your finance broker or adviser, before making a decision either way.

This article is general information only.

Relax & Unwind

AMANDA JANE

Clairvoyant Medium

amandajane-xo.com

revivalretreats.com.au

@ amandajaneclairvoyant

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Relationships are highlighted this week. Honest communication can strengthen an important connection, while compromise brings greater harmony. Remember, vulnerability is a strength.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

Your focus turns to creating greater balance between work and home. Don’t underestimate the power of rest this week. Financially, a small opportunity could grow into something much bigger.

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

Small daily changes create lasting results. Prioritise your wellbeing and trust that consistency will pay off. Spirit is encouraging you to simplify and make room for more peace in your life.

ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Life is asking you to slow down before your next big leap forward. Trust that not every opportunity needs an immediate response. A heartfelt conversation could bring the clarity you’ve been seeking.

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

Communication is your superpower this week. Say what you’ve been holding back, as the right people are finally ready to hear it. Stay open to unexpected invitations or spontaneous adventures.

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

Your energy begins to build as your season approaches. Confidence returns, and you’ll find yourself naturally attracting new opportunities. It’s time to stop doubting yourself and step into the spotlight.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Career matters receive a boost, and your hard work isn’t going unnoticed. Stay focused on your long-term vision rather than temporary distractions. Trust your intuition when making important decisions.

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

This week invites reflection before action. Listen to your body if it’s asking for a slower pace. Behind the scenes, things are aligning in your favour even if you can’t quite see it yet.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

Adventure calls, whether through travel, learning or exploring a new idea. Say yes to experiences that stretch your comfort zone. A fresh perspective could completely change your outlook.

CANCER

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

Your birthday season may be winding down, but you’re stepping into a powerful new chapter. Trust your instincts around money, relationships and future plans. The seeds you’re planting now will flourish in the months ahead.

LIBRA

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Friendships and connections take centre stage. Someone may offer support exactly when you need it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – you don’t have to carry everything alone.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Transformation is unfolding beneath the surface. It’s a good week to release old fears or habits that no longer serve you. What you’re making space for will be worth it.

32.

35. Distant

37. Shopper

38. Photographing bones (1-6)

40. At an advantage (32)

41. Cut (wood)

51. Fragrant pink flower

52. Cone-shaped tents

53. Spanish Mrs 54. Muddle

58. Abundant

59. Brewery barrel

61. Wedding March route

63. Organise feast

64. Become extinct (3,3)

65. Model, ... Christensen

66. Coniferous

68. Sacrificial

71. Lion handler

72. Rascals

74. Half-open

76. Sound (horn)

78. Single thing

80. Nonsense!

83. Sphere

Word Search

PUZZLES FOLIO

CLASSIFIEDS

Last week’s solution

A

is

of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ are formed.