First American’s chief economist emphasized the downside of plummeting mortgage rates. “Why move when you can lock in at less than 3 percent in a time like this?”
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Day: <span>July 21, 2020</span>
The median home sale price in the U. S. rose by 2.8 percent from the previous year in June, marking an all-time high of $311,300, according to Redfin.
As the mortgage giant turns 50, the company celebrated its anniversary with a new state-by-state breakdown of the mortgages it has provided.
Oakford Homes Gardenia, on display at Eyre Estate. Photo: Nick Clayton.
There’s much more than first meets the eye to Oakford Homes’ stunning Gardenia design.
Behind the front door of the stylish four-bedroom property – on show at Oakford Estate in Eyre – is a stunning family residence that makes it perfectly clear with every space, fixture and fitting that this is a home designed to meet the demands of modern living.
Oakford Homes Gardenia, on display at Eyre Estate. Photo: Nick Clayton.
Oakford Homes Gardenia, on display at Eyre Estate. Photo: Nick Clayton.
From the separate loungeroom at the front of the home to the expansive open-plan living/meals/kitchen zone to the rear, there is plenty of opportunity for family members to either come together – or find their own space to stretch out in.
Oakford Homes sales consultant Raphael Dona says the Gardenia will suit a number of potential homebuyers.
“It can either be used as a four-bedroom home or as three bedrooms with a separate study or home office,” he says.
“This design will suit either a young couple that are planning for a future family or couples with children or even the older couple that need space for visiting grandchildren.”
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Oakford Homes Gardenia, on display at Eyre Estate. Photo: Nick Clayton.
It’s easy to see the appeal.
The light-filled entry hall opens to the sumptuously-appointed master bedroom to one side; plush carpets and a muted palette add to the overall sense of calm. A substantial walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom provide a touch of luxury, while the adjacent lounge room can be used as something of a parents’ retreat.
In fact, the front two rooms can be shut off from the rest of the house, giving it its own apartment-style feel.
Continuing through the passage – and past a handy linen cupboard – the hallway flows into the beating heart of the home: the expansive living zone. The modern gourmet kitchen, which is complete with an island bench, cooktop and dishwasher, is complemented with plenty of bench and overhead cabinet space and a sensational walk-in pantry.
Oakford Homes Gardenia, on display at Eyre Estate. Photo: Nick Clayton.
Oakford Homes Gardenia, on display at Eyre Estate. Photo: Nick Clayton.
This overlooks the meals and family area, which in turn flows out to the outdoor entertaining area through sliding glass doors.
Raphael says this area provides families with a “central hub” to come together.
“And this open opens out to the large alfresco area providing a great option for outdoor entertaining,” he says.
The Gardenia’s cleverly-designed layout has the additional three bedrooms off to the side of
the family/meals areal. Along with a bathroom and laundry, this provides a terrific kids’ or
guests’ wing.
Complete with quality fixtures and fittings throughout, the Gardenia’s interior boasts a “classic contemporary feel”, Raphael says.
“We wanted to showcase a home which is elegant yet also has a family focus,” he says.
“It has a lot of good-size rooms that flow nicely into each other … and with the abundance of storage, everyday clutter can be easily packed away, making for a neat and tidy home.”
Oakford Homes Gardenia, on display at Eyre Estate. Photo: Nick Clayton.
Oakford Homes Gardenia, on display at Eyre Estate. Photo: Nick Clayton.
Raphael says there’s plenty to like about the Gardenia’s family-friendly living areas.
“There’s a great flow from the inside family-kitchen areas to the large side alfresco,” he says.
“And the large sliding doors and windows make this a very natural light-filled house. My favourite aspect of the home is the sunny open outlook from the rear family room looking out on to the side alfresco.”
He says feedback from visitors about the display home highlighted the home’s “great value for money” given its mix of four bedrooms, two bathrooms and double garage.
“They also like the walk-in pantry, walk-in store/cloak cupboard and good-size kitchen,” he says.
The Gardenia is priced from $210,455 (as displayed).
Oakford Homes Gardenia, on display at Eyre Estate. Photo: Nick Clayton.
Oakford Homes Gardenia, on display at Eyre Estate. Photo: Nick Clayton.
“This home is in our usual high-quality Oakford traditional specification with only a few minor extras,” Raphael says.
“We wanted to show the high quality that we offer at no extra cost above our standard price.”
A 600sqm block will be “perfect” for the Gardenia, he says: “The display block is 20m wide by 30m deep but the block can be 18m wide by building the garage on the boundary.”
Oakford Estate in Eyre – just a 34km drive north of Adelaide – has been designed to give families the chance to build their dream home. With open spaces, yet close to facilities and only moments from the Northern Expressway, the estate will consist of about 120 large blocks.
The post Oakford Homes’ Gardenia is full of earthly delights appeared first on realestate.com.au.
This six-bedroom, five-bedroom house at 34 Mareeba Rd, Ashgrove, is for sale. Ashgrove is one of Brisbane’s million-dollar suburbs.
BRISBANE’S elite million-dollar club is growing despite the nation’s housing market being in the grip of an economic recession and a global pandemic.
New data from Realestate.com.au shows a number of significant sales over the past 12 months propelled seven suburbs into the exclusive price threshold, with the city now boasting 23 suburbs with a median house price of $1 million or more — up from 16 a year ago.
Bardon and Grange are newcomers to the club for the first time on record, and only one suburb dropped off the list — Balmoral, with its median house price slipping from $1.07 million in fiscal 2019 to $882,500 in fiscal 2020.
This five-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 6 Currell Circuit, Samford Valley, is for sale.
One of the more unlikely suburbs to become one of Brisbane’s newest million-dollar hot spots is Samford Valley, with its median house price jumping from $922,500 to $1.1 million in the past 12 months.
For the price of some three-bedroom units in the Sydney CBD, you can buy a sprawling acreage estate in the suburb, which is about 20km southeast of Brisbane’s CBD.
Clayfield and Ashgrove, in the city’s north, Fig Tree Pocket in the west, and West End, in the inner south, are also new additions to Brisbane’s million-dollar club in the past 12 months.
This property at 17 Castlewood Court, Samford Valley, recently sold for $1.21m.
Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said that while more suburbs had entered the million-dollar club over the past 12 months than had fallen out, there were still opportunities to buy into one of those suburbs for six figures.
“It’s still possible to buy into premium suburbs for under $1 million in Brisbane, unlike Sydney or Melbourne where that price tag doesn’t necessarily get you into an expensive suburb,” Ms Conisbee said.
Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee. Image: AAP/Monique Harmer.
Ms Conisbee said house prices were largely steady despite the market conditions because they were being supported by stimulus measures, a stable banking system, mortgage payment freezes and relative confidence among buyers.
“The premium property market has been one of the most stable property markets during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
“This is likely due to the strong momentum leading into the shutdowns, and because highly paid sectors haven’t seen widespread unemployment yet.”
This house at 29 Dublin St, Clayfield, has just hit the market.
Georgie Haug of Belle Property Samford said she was not surprised Samford Valley house prices were seven figures.
Ms Haug said buyer inquiries were up 40 per cent, with a growing number of families seeing the value in lifestyle properties in the suburb.
“I sold two properties by walking around the property and chatting on FaceTime to Sydney buyers,” Ms Haug said.
“The only buyers in Australia who have the perception that Samford is ‘too far out’ are Brisbane residents. You can’t move 7km out of Sydney in comparison.”
She said double the amount of buyers were now looking to work from home or part-time.
Ms Haug just sold a property in Samford Valley for $1.285 million to a couple with two young kids.
The new buyer, Estelle Breslin, said she could not comprehend living anywhere else after experiencing the lifestyle Samford has to offer.
“It just feels like home,” Ms Breslin said.
“Everyone knows your name and your kids’ names.
“It’s just so beautiful and everyone is so friendly compared to in the city.
“Also, no one’s in a rush. There’s time to say hello and everyone out here is very relaxed.”
This four-bedroom, three-bathroom house at 18 Lorward Ave, Bardon, recently sold for $1.06m.
BRISBANE’S NEWEST MILLION-DOLLAR CLUB SUBURBS
Suburb Median house price FY19 Median house price FY20
Samford Valley $922,500 $1,100,000
Bardon $917,500 $1,010,000
West End $955,000 $1,050,000
Fig Tree Pocket $960,000 $1,170,000
Ashgrove $960,000 $1,030,000
Clayfield $925,000 $1,092,500
Grange $910,000 $1,123,500
(Source: Realestate.com.au. Data is for the 12-month median price for houses, based on at least 30 sales in a suburb)
The post Meet Brisbane’s newest million-dollar suburbs appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Sydney has seen the median house price in another 15 suburbs surpass $1 million. John Feder/The Australian
Fifteen suburbs across Sydney have crossed the $1 million median price barrier for the first time.
The suburbs, located predominantly in Hornsby Shire, The Hills and Sutherland Shire, saw their median house price surge in the 12 months to June, thanks to record-low interest rates fuelling the market.
It brings the number of suburbs in Sydney with home values above $1 million to 209, following house prices growing by 13.3 per cent over the corresponding period.
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No. 17 Westbourne St sold last month in Bexley for $1.96 million.
Realestate.com.au data showed Bexley in the city’s south had the strongest growth of the new entrants, with prices growing $266,000 to $1.251 million. Neighbouring Bayside suburb Arncliffe also surpassed $1 million.
Raine and Horne Bexley director Sam Epsimos said buyers from the inner west and eastern suburbs have been the driving force behind the 21.26 per cent annual price growth seen in Bexley.
“These buyers are pushing the prices up, as they are finding the suburb offers far better value than what they would get in their area,” he said.
REA chief economist Nerida Conisbee.
“Bexley is also in a great location with not only the city on its doorstep, but the M5 and the new M8 pretty much connects this area to the rest of Sydney.”
Hornsby Shire had three suburbs surpass $1 million with Asquith, Mount Colah and Berowra Heights. The Hills had Glenwood, Winston Hills and The Ponds make the cut, while Wamberal on the Central Coast saw home values increase 7.89 per cent to $1.01 million.
Northmead was the sole Parramatta suburb to break $1 million, with the median house price now $1.01 million. Jannali, Menai and Yarrawarrah from Sutherland Shire along with Belmore and Picnic Point from the Canterbury-Bankstown area also saw house values surpass $1 million.
Strong demand from buyers has propelled the market in the past year.
REA chief economist Nerida Conisbee said suburbs with prices over $1 million have remained stable during the coronavirus pandemic due to the strong momentum of the past year.
“The property market is currently being supported by high levels of stimulus, a stable banking system, mortgage payment freezes and relative confidence among buyers,” she said.
Ms Conisbee said 15 new entrants in the million-dollar club highlighted how extreme some of Sydney’s house prices were, particularly near the city centre.
“With 15 new suburbs bringing the million-dollar club total to 209 million-dollar suburbs, it is becoming more difficult to find an inner or middle ring suburb for under $1 million,” she said.
Despite Sydney experiencing some of the best market conditions since the prolonged housing boom of 2014 to 2017, four suburbs were booted out of the million-dollar club.
Campsie in the inner west suffered the biggest fall with its median price dropping from $1.19 million to $985,000. Lidcombe, North Avoca and Sutherland also saw prices dip below $1 million.
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The post Sydney housing market: 15 new suburbs now have $1 million-plus median price after strong growth appeared first on realestate.com.au.
More flexible living spaces will become the norm.
A dramatic shift in what Australians want our homes to be and how we interact with our surrounding communities is creating a new and reimagined lifestyle Zeitgeist.
COVID-19, and the copious amounts of time we have spent isolating at home, has served to hasten the pace of these changes and strengthen our desire to adapt them.
At its core is the re-emergence of the village at the heart of our daily lives, and also the desire for greater privacy or ‘me time’, including ‘the nude factor’.
New developments will feature more village-style living.
“The biggest issue COVID-19 has brought about is the rise of the village,” said Adam Haddow, architect and urban designer at SJB Architects.
“Modernism previously told us we couldn’t have working, living, sleeping and recreation all together but coronavirus is encouraging that. We are living more locally.
“It is radical in a way. The villages are prospering at the moment, suburban strips of shops are going gangbusters while in contrast the CBD sits empty.
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“Knowing about where you live and the community you live in has become much more important. You are getting amenity from your local goods and services, you know the man or woman who owns the local shop. You have a link with the dry cleaner.
“It does fundamentally change the way you live.”
The domino effect of this village-centre approach will be at the heart of new designs and developments.
Architect and urban planner Adam Haddow (left) of SJB Architects and Fabrizio Perilli CEO of TOGA. Picture: supplied
“This all plays into the expectations of projects,” Mr Haddow said.
“People want diversity. They want some level of a supermarket, a coffee shop, a baker, a newsagent and a butcher and it becomes more about locally not nationally.
“It is not about gaining an income for the strata through mixed retail space, it is about adding to your life. Do you feel safe, healthy, that you are living a quality life? All of these things are very much front of mind now. That sense of amenity is vital. We realise now we don’t want to drive across town to get what we want.”
At an individual, couple or family level this has also led to a revision of our lifestyles.
“The COVID-19 scenario has meant a review of what living means to us, creating spaces that are meaningful and flexible and that can give that space where you can work quietly,” said
Fabrizio Perilli, CEO of TOGA Development and Construction.
The COVID-19 epidemic has taught us to demand more flexibility from our living spaces.
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“From an apartment block perspective that means reviewing that community space, those dedicated, shared spaces, Outdoor areas, common, landscape areas where you sit outside and reflect, to be a space of sufficient size, welcoming and providing privacy.
“That flexibility in the home itself can be equally provided for an apartment or a house.”
Time spent working from home has also challenged our ideas about what our home should provide.
“People now really appreciate that other room, or study room, they can close off,’ Mr Perilli said.
Mixed used commercial and residential hubs, such as this Sunshine Coast development, have become very sought after. Picture: Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.
“They have also come to enjoy the privacy that an enclosed kitchen can provide and the more efficient use of storage space. There is also the usefulness of a multipurpose room. That’s not a living room or a bedroom but a flexible space that can change as you or your family does.”
More time at home and more time to ponder our lives, as a result of lockdown and isolation during the coronavirus epidemic, also means we know exactly what we want.
“People have now spent a lot of time at home and they are seeing the value in what they have and what they don’t have,” Mr Haddow said.
“They need a quiet spot where they can sit on the computer. They want to have a bit of a backyard so they don’t have to take the dog outside and around the block to pee.
“It is a more local way of living. It is more connected. You will see a return to more Juliette balconies, more communal living space in the bigger developments. People know what they want more than they ever did before. Before they wanted what was nice, now they want what is essential, what they are going to use.
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“In apartments people don’t want a big open space any more. That makes it difficult to live in. People want separation and visibility. Even recently we were designing with an amazing sequence of space. But it’s not longer one size fits all. It’s turning back to customised.
We also want a strong sense of privacy.
‘I call it ‘the nude factor’”, Mr Haddow said.
“People feel they should be able to walk around in the nude, they don’t want to have to be dressed and worry about what the neighbours think because they can see what they are doing.”
The post ‘Radical’ way coronavirus has changed the way we want to live and the homes we will live in appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Buyers have paid $2.3m for this architect designed house at 6 Deakin St, Point Lonsdale.
A modern Point Lonsdale house short-listed for multiple architecture awards has sold for $2.3m after less than two weeks on the market.
Keen buyers snapped up the ‘Hide and Seek’ house by Bower Architecture before expressions of interest on the property were due to close.
The sale was at the top end of Kerleys, Queenscliff agent Damian Cayzer’s $2.1-$2.3m price guide.
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A double-sided fireplace divides the living and dining areas.
The new owners will get to enjoy a contemporary three-bedroom beach house tucked away behind moonah trees at 6 Deakin Street.
The timber-clad home, designed around a central north-facing deck and lawn, has a dramatic double height living area with a two-way fireplace and its own library on the second level.
It was short-listed in the new houses category of the Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Architecture Awards, as well as the Australian Interior Design Awards.
A central passage overlooks the north-facing deck and yard.
There’s glimpses of the upper level’s library from the loungeroom, which features custom joinery.
The side entry offers privacy and views through the house.
“No 6. Deakin St is a stunning home, beautifully positioned in the heart of Point Lonsdale,” Mr Cayzer said.
“It was designed by Bower Architecture … needless to say it sold very quickly and I have a long list of disappointed clients who are now looking for something similar.”
Twin entries are a key feature of the design, with occupants having the choice to return home via an outdoor shower after beach visits.
The floorplan has the living zone at one end of the courtyard, with a bedroom wing at the other and the main bedroom upstairs.
The post Point Lonsdale house short-listed for multiple awards quick to sell appeared first on realestate.com.au.
56 Wells Parade, Blackmans Bay. Picture: SUPPLIED
GLORIOUS gardens are the calling card for this expansive, flexible home at Blackmans Bay.
Throughout its colourful grounds green thumb gardeners will find everything from a Japanese maple to a classic lemon tree.
There are plum trees, a plethora of beautiful flowers and a gazebo to relax in — a real treat in spring and summer.
Split across two levels, the property offers a large family home upstairs and the bonus of a self-contained flat on the lower ground floor.
The flat could be used as a teenager’s retreat, a granny flat or perhaps — with permissions in place — it could generate a few extra dollars as an accommodation space.
Huge water views.
So much space.
The flat has a single bedroom with a built-in wardrobe, a bathroom and laundry, and an open plan kitchen and living room.
It is positioned alongside a garage, workshop and a storage area.
Upstairs, the home’s commanding location is revealed. North facing and slightly elevated, the property takes in sparkling water views.
The home has been superbly renovated and now boasts quality features like its bay windows, sunken spa bath in the main bathroom, gas cooking and external awnings on the north-facing windows.
Perfect for big families.
What’s for dinner?
The large, stylish, curved sundeck is the place to be when taking in a sunrise.
The main level features three bedrooms including a master with an ensuite. They are also positioned next to the family bathroom.
Located just 150 metres from the beach and a few hundred metres from Blackmans Bay’s beachside restaurants, the lifestyle on offer here is off the charts.
The Blackmans Bay shopping centre, Hill St Grocer, a baker, chemist, doctors surgery, dentist, bottle shop and take away food stores are about 1km from this home.
Luxuriously appointed.
The sunken tub.
No.56 Wells Parade, Blackmans Bay is listed with Fall Real Estate between $1.1m and $1.2m.
New realestate.com.au data show 22 units and 90 houses were sold in popular Blackmans Bay in the past 12 months.
The suburb’s median house price has grown by 5 per cent in that time and by a huge 49 per cent over the last five years. Unit values have also trended upward with 7 per cent and 32 per cent growth.
The median time on market is 64 days for houses and 59 for units.
The post Glorious gardens but the tip of the iceberg appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Jane Turner has pulled her Elwood property from the market.
The selling campaign for Jane Turner’s Elwood mansion is O-V-A-H, with the Kath & Kim star and co-creator pulling the property from the market to keep it.
Turner — who starred as Kath Day-Knight alongside Gina Riley’s Kim Craig in the classic comedy — listed the five-bedroom residence in late May.
Tiuna’s $7.3-$8m price guide would have seen it break the seaside suburb’s house price record, which was set at about $6.8m by The Block expert Frank Valentic’s Art Deco abode earlier this month.
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It’s a long way from Fountain Lakes.
Elegant style too good to part with.
But Chisholm & Gamon director Sam Gamon said despite Turner’s 1884-built home receiving “high-level offers” from parties across the country, she and her husband, John Denton, had decided to scrap the sale.
“The owners have decided they will move back in,” he said.
“They’re certainly in love with the home, so they just decided they wanted to keep it, and we respect their decision.”
Mr Gamon said during the property’s seven weeks on the market, he received inquiries from prospective buyers based in ritzy Melbourne suburbs Albert Park, Toorak and Brighton, and further afield in New South Wales and Queensland.
Its substantial 1079sq m landholding, featuring a pool and manicured gardens, and “the irreplaceable Victorian facade” were the major drawcards.
The pool was a major drawcard.
A cosy personal library.
Plenty of space for avid readers.
Turner, an Order of Australia recipient and Logie Award winner, has owned Tiuna since 1997. CoreLogic records show it changed hands for $802,500 then.
In the early 2000s, the actor, comedian and writer engaged acclaimed architecture firm Jackson Clements Burrows to connect the original part of the house to old stables at the rear, via a modern extension with soaring timber ceilings.
Soaring high ceilings create a grand space to entertain in.
Very noice.
Private charmer.
Jane Turner is holding on to her sophisticated Elwood base. Picture: Jo Duck
The listing — which Chisholm & Gamon shared with Fredman Property Group — followed Turner’s move overseas with her husband, who became the first Australian secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce in 2018.
One of five bedrooms.
Timber features heavily in the open-plan dining area.
Period charm.
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