Waiting on council is the least understood part of a Melbourne renovation. While you can't speed up the clock, understanding how the town planning permit process actually works makes the waiting far less frustrating.

Before a single line is drawn, there's a process that sets everything up for success. Here's what the pre-design phase actually involves and why it matters.

The property you buy will either give you room to change things down the track, or quietly limit what's possible. Here's what to look for before you sign.