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73A Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill, goes to auction on August 22.

What a joy it would be to own this Bellevue Hill masterpiece — a house like no other. Its name, ‘Oculus’ — which means “a round or eye-like opening or design” — is a hint of what’s in store.

But apart from the circular design and the partly domed room that fills the interiors with natural light, it was the bespoke finishes that really bowled me over.

The six-bedroom, five-bathroom home with six-car garage at 73A Victoria Rd is now up for August 22 auction via the Sotheby’s International managing director Michael Pallier with a $13m price guide.

That’s a $2m saving on the $15m guide it had in an expressions of interest campaign last year, indicating its owners are now serious about selling.

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The dining room opens to a north-facing terrace.

The terrace overlooks Will Dangar-designed gardens.

The Sotheby’s managing director, Michael Pallier, says: “Architecturally, this house is world class, with phenomenal attention to detail and bespoke workmanship to a high standard.”

Some brilliant minds have collaborated on this house. It’s originally the work of architect Frank Fox in the 1960s. But Tzannes Associates have been brought in to update it.

They’re responsible for curved glass, which wasn’t available when the house was built, and the cantilevered steel terrace with a 270-degree north-easterly view of the gardens on the 942 sqm block.

The pool is a pondlike extension of the garden. William Danger did the landscaping.

The lower level media room.

The recycled blackbutt timber screening snaking around the living and dining room.

An internal lift has been added, travelling from the basement garage to the two levels above.

Juliette Arent and Sarah-Jane Pyke of Arent & Pyke did the interiors. The recycled blackbutt timber screening snaking around the living and dining room — with a study and cloak room behind — is extravagantly beautiful.

Another of my favourite features is the timber bath in the master suite. Who do you know has a timber bathtub?

The timber bath in the master suite is a rare find.

The view from the air.

The timber and stone island kitchen has all the best appliances, with a walk-in pantry and butler’s pantry.

A lower level, flowing onto the lawn, pool and gardens, contains a huge media room, wet bar/kitchenette, and the fourth and fifth bedrooms, both with ensuites.

There’s also a gym or sixth bedroom and another bathroom.

The post Inside Oculus: Bellevue Hill house runs circles around anything else appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Developments like Pace of Sunshine North aimed at Melburnians rather than international buyers are tipped to be increasingly common due to COVID-19.

Melbourne homebuyers will be the winners as the city’s new-housing industry looks for ways to fill a gap left by international buyers.

Speaking at an Urban Development Institute of Australia Victorian chapter event last week, ANZ economist Daniel Gradwell said the bank believed Australia’s borders could remain shut for long enough to force developers to embrace local buyers like never before.

It exacerbates a trend of falling international sales in recent years.

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“(But) there is huge demand for inner-ring townhouses or low-density units,” Mr Gradwell said.

“(And it’s coming from) domestic buyers, not international buyers. That will be a growth area for the overall housing mix for a long time.”

He also noted without an extension to the federal government’s $25,000 HomeBuilder grants, surging land sales would be short lived and demand for inner city lifestyles would lead to more developers pursuing that space in the coming 18 months.

Rose & Bird in Maribyrnong has also been popular with local buyers.

Almost 2000 blocks of land sold in Victoria in June, with a similar number forecast for July, according to RPM Real Estate. Director Luke Kelly backed Mr Gradwell’s forecast and said RPM was seeing estate developers considering urban infill sites for townhouses.

Marshall White Projects director Leonard Teplin said strong sales to locals in June helped show developers international sales were “artificial”.

“Consumers will win out here,” Mr Teplin said. “There will be a fight to capture their imagination and attention.”

He said developments like Central Park in Malvern East, 835 High Street, Armadale, and Rose and Bird in Maribyrnong had largely sold out during COVID-19, with the developers providing exhaustive detail to buyers. And more would follow suit.

Multimillion-dollar apartments at 835 High at 835 High St, Armadale, attracted high-end buyers with exhaustive detail on every aspect shared by the developer.

Pace Development Group sales and marketing director Ashley Bramich said demand was driven by first-home buyers seeking affordability at the bottom of the market, and downsizers embracing apartment living at the top.

Mr Bramich said there were also signs demand, for townhouses at least, was spreading into the city’s middle ring. His firm’s Pace of Sunshine North project has attracted inquiry from dozens of buyers every week, despite the pandemic.

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The post Local buyers to be winners as COVID-19 cuts international market appeared first on realestate.com.au.

1-10/32 Pacific Avenue, Bushland Beach, is listed at $3.1m negotiable.

Ten homes with 30 bedrooms all up have hit the market in a beach suburb, priced at just over $3m for the lot, in one of the most amazing listings this year.

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The Bushland Beach complex is one street back from the ocean.

The homes are one street back from the beach and the owners – from a local family business – will let the lot go in a single deal priced at $3.1m negotiable.

All up the property has a whopping 30 bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, 17 car spaces and is on a 2,622sq m piece of land.

The townhouses have been tenanted at up to $350 a week each.

Agents Sibby and Lucy Di Bartolo of John Gribbin Realty listed 1-10/32 Pacific Avenue in Bushland Beach, just north of Townsville City, as “an outstanding and rare opportunity to secure an entire block of townhouses in a popular beach suburb”.

In their 17 years in the business, the pair has not seen anything like this deal hit the market.

“Not in that location,” Mr Di Bartolo said. “Six of those units do face the ocean, there are houses in front of them, and the other four face the other side of the complex. But they are one street away from the ocean.”

Because they were built on a corner block, each townhouse has its own private access off the road straight into a courtyard.

“The thing too is those houses along the beach are big homes and good quality homes, so it’s very unusual to find a complex like that built in that location with those quality of homes.”

The townhouses are about 11 years old, he said, and had been freshened up for sale with rentals managed by his firm since they were built.

“John Gribbin has been managing the properties since they were new. They’ve always been tenanted because of the location and really there’s nothing around there that’s like it.”

Each of the townhouses fetch rent of up to $350 a week.

“For the astute investor looking for a great residential investment in a popular location, this could be one of the best opportunities you will see this year,” was how the firm listed the property on realestate.com.au.

“We’ve had quite a bit of interest,” Mr Di Bartolo said, “but most of that interest has been out of town or interstate. It’s been on the market for a little while but we had some local investors that have had a look at it but most of the interest has been down south.”

He said there was a lot to the property considering the price tag.

“The family who built them put Smeg appliances, the quality of fittings are very good and the other thing is they are a good-sized townhouse at about 166sq m each.”

The townhouses follow an open plan for living space.

“The good thing about them is they are on a corner block and they have two access points into the complex. Each unit has their own private courtyard and so you can enter from the road as well.”

“Some of the visitor carparks are under cover. It does offer a lot. They did put a lot of thought into them. I really do like them.”

The kitchens have Smeg appliances and illuminated display cupboards.

Each townhouse has three bedrooms, with open plan living, timber louvres, modern colour schemes, high quality kitchen with Smeg appliances and illuminated display case, tiled outdoor area off the living space, carpeted bedrooms, and a generous master bedroom with walk-in robe and ensuite.

The property has Crimsafe on doors and windows and there’s also a pool in the complex for residents to use.

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The post Instant property mogul: 10 homes for just over $3m appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The ACT moratorium has been extended for three months until 22 October. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Residential tenants experiencing financial hardship in the wake of COVID-19 have been granted a reprieve, with the ACT government extending its moratorium on evictions.

Under the announcement, the ACT moratorium has been extended for three months until 22 October and households affected by pandemic-related job losses can now terminate their fixed-term tenancy agreements early without penalty.

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The extension is in line with the decision by National Cabinet in late March for a moratorium on residential evictions for at least six months.

The new measures will provide support to COVID-19 impacted tenants. iStock.

“In addition to the moratorium on evictions for rental arrears, a COVID-19 impacted household can now terminate their agreement by providing their landlord with three weeks’ notice and evidence that they have been impacted by COVID-19,” ACT Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay said.

“In these circumstances, tenants will not be charged a ‘break-lease’ fee or be required to pay additional compensation. However, if they have fallen into rent arrears during the tenancy this money would still be owed as a debt to their landlord.

“This new measure will provide additional support to COVID-19-impacted tenants by removing the need for them to make an application to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) to terminate their tenancy due to hardship.”

Joel Dignam, executive director for ACT tenant advocacy group, Better Renting, welcomed the extension saying it would give renters more “breathing space” in the wake of COVID-19.

“It’s great that the moratorium has been extended,” Mr Dignam said. “A lot of tenants have lost income, either a permanent loss or a period where they were without income for several weeks.

In April, the ACT government announced $214 million towards a COVID-19 economic recovery. iStock

“People are doing what they can to stay on top of their rent, but particularly with a lot of landlords not giving rent reductions and the fact that there are people facing rental debt because of that, the moratorium has given people a bit of breathing space. This extension will help with that.”

In April, the ACT government announced $214 million towards a COVID-19 economic recovery, including support for renters suffering rental stress due to lost income.

The government also encouraged landlords to reduce rents by at least 25% for tenants under rental stress by sharing the cost reduction of the rental on a 50/50 basis, capped at $1,300 per quarter (around $100 a week).

The post Eviction moratorium extended to help renters impacted by COVID-19 appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The Hyde sub-penthouse at 2902/157 Liverpool St, Sydney, goes to auction on August 20 with a price guide of $7.5m.

This luxury sub-penthouse on the 29th floor of The Hyde — owned by a famous art collector and publisher — offers a New York lifestyle and view.

Ask Durva Gandhi, the owner, what she loves about her apartment in the 34-storey tower and she waxes lyrical.

“I love the WOHA architecture, the floor-to-ceiling glass, and the open-frontage,” the author of Secrets of The Art Millionaires exclaims over the phone.

The three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment with double garage at 2902/157 Liverpool St, Sydney is now listed with Ray White Double Bay’s Nic Krasnostein with a $7.5m guide ahead of an August 20 auction.

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Take a seat.

Even the kitchen has a sensational harbour view.

Says Gandhi, as I’m speaking to her to line up my Wentworth Courier Apartment of the Week tour: “I like to think of it as a glass box in the sky … I love that it’s sunny — it’s 25 degrees as we speak — it gets 10 to 12 degrees warmer in the winter on my sundeck,” she says.

And then, of course, there’s that view.

As Krasnostein says: “One of my favourite views in the world is Central Park. I didn’t know that could be replicated in Sydney until now.”

When I get to see it for myself, it’s nothing short of incredible.

Apart from Hyde Park, there’s the high-rise towers, Botanic Gardens, St Mary’s Cathedral, the Opera House and I can see the ocean beyond the heads.

I love the sliding wall that separates the living room from the master suite.

Stylish bathrooms.

The Hyde’s due-north aspect means the apartments are full of natural light most of the day.

Because of the aspect I think I prefer this apartment to many I’ve seen in The Residence, a block The Hyde is often compared to.

The Residence is home of one of my favourite singers and songwriters, Delta Goodrem. And although that block’s also very stylish, most of the apartments there are west-facing.

In terms of the design, I love the sliding wall that separates the living room from the master suite.

Having the ability to open it all up maximises the view when you’re enjoying it from the living area.

The dining room.

Take in the views while doing your laps.

And the covered balcony would be a great space to relax, particularly when the sun’s streaming in.

The Hyde was completed a decade ago but all the fixtures and finishes are of a high quality and timeless.

There’s a lap pool, sauna, spa, concierge, gym and library there, too.

I ask Durva where could she possibly go next?

“I’ve been here for seven years so I’m ready for my next adventure.” she says.

Durva’s got her eye on Crown Residences at Barangaroo. “I can get room service every day and head to the spa,” she laughs.

The inspection times are Saturdays, 1-1.30pm and Tuesdays 4.30-5.30pm.

The post Art collector and publisher Durva Gandhi lists Hyde sub-penthouse with $7.5m price guide for auction appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Demand for property is picking up. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.

The property market is recovering faster than expected following a number of stimulus measures implemented during the coronavirus pandemic.

New research released on Thursday has revealed government incentives along with record-low interest rates of 0.25 per cent has seen consumer demand for property in NSW return to pre-COVID-19 levels, with confidence up by 23.9% in June alone.

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PRD’s Australian Economic and Property Report showed renewed demand translated into Sydney property prices growing 10.8 per cent in the first six months of 2020, despite coronavirus affecting the market for half of that period. The median house price was now 1.4 per cent down from the peak in April.

Buyers are now returning to the market.

PRD chief economist Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo said despite COVID-19 throwing the Australian economy and property market into turmoil, things have stabilised quicker than expected.

“That doesn’t mean everything has returned to normal yet, but government stimulus has quickly helped prop up the property market and balance out some of the ill effects of the shutdown,” she said.

Dr Mardiasmo said the market is unlikely to have a crash that many predicted at the beginning of the pandemic.

“There is not going to be a doomsday crash that some predicted, as there will always be need for people to buy and for people to sell,” she said.

“Australians still hold onto buying a home very dearly, and we can clearly see evidence of this in the demand for property during.”

The report revealed national home loan approvals totalled $12 billion in May, which was slightly below the $12.5 billion recorded in February. Of this 42 per cent of loan approvals were from buyers looking to upsize, while first home buyers accounted for 21 per cent — the highest level since 2013.

“There has never been a better time for first home buyers to get into the market with all the support they are receiving,” Dr Mardiasmo said.

Home loan approvals are now around the same levels as recorded in February.

Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo said the market is showing signs of returning to normal.

Dr Mardiasmo said the market has remained stable unlike other G20 countries due to a strong focus on property.

“Other G20 countries have not focused on property like Australia, and the measures taken here, have helped keep the market afloat and assist with getting people into a home,” she said.

Despite interest returning to pre-coronavirus levels, positive buyer sentiment is now 97.8, which is 2.2 points below a positive market. Dr Mardiasmo said while there was still caution, quality buyers remain committed.

“While sellers might have fewer inquires as a result of coronavirus, the serious buyers are still active and are prepared to make good offers,” she said.

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The post Sydney property market remains stable during coronavirus following stimulus measures appeared first on realestate.com.au.

An old doorway can be seen in the exposed brick wall.

A slick transformation of an old Victorian cottage has created an industrial-infused brick beauty blending old and new in Footscray.

Interior designer Cara Gabriel and her builder husband Joel Swain embarked on their first personal project with their first home at 104 Victoria Street, incorporating original tessellated tiles about 100 years old and a sealed up old doorway into their cool contemporary design.

The two-bedroom pad with a slick new look has just hit the market for $780,000-$840,000, having been snapped up in original condition from the government for $602,000 in 2016.

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Textural plywood finishes in the cool kitchen.

Bit of a change.

Three properties near the train line were sold off by the government in 2016.

“We really wanted to create a house that took this old 1880s house, brought it into the modern day and made it something that could then live on for the next 100 years,” Ms Gabriel said.

The creative pair removed a non-structural wall to open up the main kitchen, living and dining space, where a brick wall exposed after plaster was removed is a design focal point.

It includes a bricked-up old doorway that adds plenty of character and a sense of history to the design.

Original tessellated tiles remain on the floor in the bathroom and in the laundry, with similarly decorated floor tiles chosen for the modern kitchen to connect both eras.

A white paint job was the main move at the front of the house.

How the bedroom looked previously.

The other bedroom is similar in style and space.

An on-trend plywood kitchen was customised with a grey tint that lets the grain show through.

“It’s the most solid kitchen you will ever come across — it’s so sturdy, ” Ms Gabriel said.
“Joel built it. The textural look is offset with a really simple benchtop and splashback.”

Village Seddon agent Joseph Luppino said the style of the “quite high end” space was a drawcard for buyers, who also appreciated the clever use of limited space.

“They’ve used the whole floor to ceiling for things like cabinetry,” he said.

Ms Gabriel said the vision for the front of the house was to keep as many of the features as possible, which were enhanced by changing a pink, green and beige paint job to white.

Pastel pink in the bathroom.

Original tiles remain on the floor.

The neat rear courtyard.

“There are original ceiling rosettes and a decorative vent covered in little birds, and when it’s all white you can see all those beautiful little details,” Ms Gabriel, of Pilot Studio, said.

“We didn’t do that much visually to the front of the house. We really wanted to respect the age and original details as much as possible at the front and then have that transition.

“It could be a warehouse apartment in Collingwood at the back, but the house is really rooted in that original Victorian history, which was really important to us to keep as much as possible … we love this house passionately and wanted to carry it on for the next buyers.”

A study nook is a smart use of space.

A cosy bar and charming arches.

The couple are now on the hunt for a mid-century home in Melbourne’s northern suburbs for their next project.

Mr Luppino said buyer interest had been strong in the Footscray pad, with a “healthy number” of private inspections.

The property was one of three adjacent to Middle Footscray station sold off by the Department of Transport in 2016.

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The post Footscray cottage blends industrial style with Victorian charm appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Sydney’s Point Piper and Melbourne’s Toorak may be some of Australia’s most desirable postcodes, but in terms of the nation’s most sought-after streets, buyers are after specific qualities. 

When it comes down to the most in-demand streets in Australia’s capital cities, the trifecta of luxury properties, spectacular views and nearby amenities has proven a winner with buyers, new data from realestate.com.au shows.

“Luxury homes are always going to attract eyeballs but when it comes to sealing the deal on a new home, buyers are looking for more than just premium, inner-city property,” said realestate.com.au chief economist, Nerida Conisbee.

The most in-demand streets were ranked by the number of views per listing within a suburb over the past three years. Streets with less than fives homes for sale over that period were excluded from the analysis, meaning some of Australia’s most tightly-held enclaves don’t feature.

•  Use the interactive below to find out the 10 most in-demand streets in your suburb

While we tend to think of the “best” streets as being in the most expensive suburbs, this isn’t always the case.

“All suburbs have nice streets, but often the most highly sought-after streets have something special about them,” Ms Conisbee said.

“The houses may be particularly nice, or it may be that the views are amazing; it could be located close to a beach or a great retail precinct; the blocks may be particularly large or it may be a very friendly neighbourhood. There are a lot of factors that define a great street.

“Major arterials in some suburbs will often see lower demand than other areas that are quieter. Ultimately, it depends on where you are and what buyers are looking for in that suburb,” she said.

City home hunters dreaming about luxury, views and amenities

Ms Conisbee said it’s not surprising that when you look at the most in-demand streets in each capital city, the data skewed towards luxury housing in premium suburbs.

“The fact that we see so many views for homes on these streets is probably due to people dreaming about their ideal home, not just to rent or buy a home,” she explained.

• Scroll through to discover the most in demand street in each Australian capital city

The search data highlights that many people aspire to live in premium suburbs and like to see how the other half lives, added realestate.com.au director of economic research, Cameron Kusher.

He said that while the majority of the most-viewed streets in capital cities were more expensive, their geographic locations were quite varied, suggesting home buyers are craving more than just a top location on the city’s doorstep. 

“In Sydney, the most in-demand street is in Rose Bay, which is a harbourside suburb. In Melbourne, it’s in Wheelers Hill, which is further out [from the city]. Brisbane’s most sought-after street is in Clear Mountain, a palatial spot with large lots further away from the city centre, similar to Aldgate for Adelaide’s most in-demand street,” Mr Kusher said. 

The data also revealed a sweet spot with the combination of nice views and reasonable proximity to amenities proving a winner.

The home at 1 Fairview Avenue is on a large block and has views of the Mount Dandenong Ranges. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

Fairview Avenue, an exclusive enclave in Wheelers Hill, in Melbourne’s south-east – which some people refer to as the Toorak of the east – was revealed as the most sought-after street within 30 kilometres of Melbourne CBD with an average of 7,102 views per listing over the past three years.

The median house price in Wheelers Hill last year was $1,106,500. 

Joan Eu, sales associate at Harcourts – Judd White, is currently marketing the home at 1 Fairview Avenue and said she’s not surprised the street ranked as one of the most popular in the country.

“If you take a drive down [Fairview Avenue] you will see the reason why, because all the houses are on bigger blocks, about half an acre, and [there are] beautiful gated properties, long driveways… there aren’t many places like that,” Ms Eu said.

“When you think of the value, where would you get half an acre in Toorak for the same kind of money?”

Ms Eu said the coveted street was close to one of the highest points in Melbourne so the homes had views while also being close to schools and lifestyle amenities.

“Wheelers Hill is lovely and hilly and it’s got fantastic mountain views if you get the right location, like Fairview Avenue, most of the properties would have views of the [Mount Dandenong Ranges],” she said.

“It is also near Jells Park, the golf course, and you’re not far from the local shops including The Glen Shopping Centre, which is only a 10-minute drive. You’ve got Caulfield Grammar and Wesley College in terms of private schools in the same postcode.”

In Sydney Tivoli Avenue in Rose Bay was the most in-demand street within 30 kilometres of CBD with an average of 4,812 views per listing over the past three years.

The Spanish Mission-style home at 6 Tivoli Avenue attracted interest from abroad with its harbour views. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold

Jamie Upton, global real estate advisor at Sydney’s Sotheby’s International Realty – Double Bay, said Tivoli Avenue is “the Wolseley Road of Rose Bay”.

“What Wolseley Road is to Point Piper, Tivoli Avenue is to Rose Bay, for the views and the grand homes,” she said.

“They’ve got the best houses along there… it’s not uncommon for the trophy homes on that street to sell for between $10 million and $45 million.

Interestingly, Wolseley Road – Australia’s most expensive street – was pipped at the post by Point Piper’s Wyuna Road, where listings on average had more views in recent years.

In terms of Tivoli Avenue, Ms Upton said “it’s the views and the fact that a lot of properties are waterfront or have gun-barrel bridge and harbour views. It’s the aspect.”

The median property price in Rose Bay over the past 12 months is $3.2 million for houses to $1.3 million for units.

Ms Upton sold a Spanish Mission-style home at 6 Tivoli Avenue in February this year and said the interest was so “far-reaching” that she even had a couple fly from New York to inspect the home.

Luxury lifestyle is streets ahead for regional home buyers

When it comes to what buyers want outside of the big cities, it’s no surprise to see some of Australia’s most well-known lifestyle spots pop up on the list.

The data had Beachfront Mirage Drive in Port Douglas as one of the most in-demand, non-city streets in the country, with an average of 6,032 views per listing.

The architect-designed home at 28 Beachfront Mirage Drive offers a tropical haven for those escaping Melbourne and Sydney winters. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

The median house price in Port Douglas is sitting at $636,000, while units are typically half that price at $295,000.

Callum Jones, licensee at Real Estate Port Douglas, who is currently marketing the home at 28 Beachfront Mirage Drive said the exclusivity of the street was a big drawcard.

“It’s within the [Sheraton] Mirage grounds, you’ve got 47 lots, it’s a gated estate and they’re all very large homes,” Mr Jones said.

“They’re mostly family retreats and holiday homes, people escaping the Melbourne and Sydney winters. People come up here and have a large home that they use two to three months a year.”

It seems home hunters on the opposite side of the country also have a taste for opulent living.

St Alouarn Place in Western Australia’s Margaret River also ranked as one of the most in-demand non-city streets in Australia with an average of 4,966 views per listing.

This home at 38 St Alouarn Place is situated on one of Australia’s most popular streets. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

The median sale price in Margaret River is $455,000 for houses and $309,500 for units.

Mitch Thawson of Mack Hall Real Estate is currently selling the home at 38 St Alouarn Place, which he described as “one of the best properties in the south-west”. He said the street is not long, but it winds down to a cul-de-sac with stunning views along the way.

“You can see really long stretches of the Margaret River itself and then you can also see out to the ocean… the views across the other side of the river look straight across to national park, basically. It’s pretty awesome.”

Mr Thawson said it’s “a pretty expensive neck of the woods”, which attracts a mix of buyers. He referred to one of the homes in St Alouarn Place as “Models Inc.” because the couple who live there are both former models.

“Then there’s a guy [who lives a few doors down] who is one of the world’s best professional surfers,” he added.

Celebrity factor appears to be a common theme across the most in-demand, non-city streets, with Marine Parade in the celebrity enclave of Byron Bay also ranking high with an average of 4,844 views per listing.

Perhaps living nearby to Chris Hemsworth or bumping into Zac Efron on his morning coffee run is part of the appeal.

The celebrity enclave of Byron Bay is home to one of the most sought after streets in regional Australia. Picture: Getty.

Byron Bay’s median property price over the past year is $1,404,000 for houses and $732,500 for units.

Which streets will be popular post-COVID-19?

Ms Conisbee said home buyers are likely to be more focused on where they live after spending more time at home during coronavirus lockdowns.

“In choosing a street, it is likely that more of us will be looking for space and amenity. These have always been the things that people tend to focus on, however, it is likely it will become an even greater focus,” she said.

In terms of spending big on luxury properties, Mr Kusher said he doesn’t expect this will slow post-COVID-19.

Home buyers will likely be looking for more space after COVID-19, after being cooped up during lockdowns. Picture: Getty

“We are still seeing transactions occurring for premium property,” Mr Kusher said.

“Although we are in a recession, it is overwhelmingly younger people that are being impacted, to be sure. Some owners of premium property are being impacted but there is little evidence at this stage to suggest significant price falls across premium property [post-COVID-19].” 

He added that having more space and land in the aftermath of COVID-19 will likely become more important for home buyers, which could lead to people looking at properties in streets further from the city centre in already popular regional areas. 

The post Australia’s most in-demand streets for buyers revealed appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Renters are typically drawn to trendy inner-city suburbs, but when it comes to the most in-demand capital city streets there are a few surprises, new data from realestate.com.au shows.

It’s no secret when deciding where to live tenants prefer some streets over others. However, this preference doesn’t just come down to what style of coffee the local cafe serves or how close the street is to Bondi Beach, according to chief economist at realestate.com.au, Nerida Conisbee.

“A good street is often about the types of housing, aspect, nice trees, access to parks and schools or a great retail precinct,” Ms Conisbee said.

“Major arterials in some suburbs will often see lower demand than other areas that are quieter. Ultimately, it depends on where you are and what tenants are looking for in that suburb.”

• Use the interactive below to discover the most popular streets in your suburb for renters.

The realestate.com.au analysis looked at average views per rental listing over the past three years to surface the most in demand streets for tenants. If a street didn’t have five rental listings during that period it was excluded, meaning some of Australia’s most tightly-held streets and streets that are heavily owner occupier may not appear.

• Scroll through to discover the most sought after street for renters in your capital city:

The data shows that most Australian tenants, unlike home buyers, aren’t looking at homes in luxury, inner-city streets. Instead, the bulk of tenants are prioritising convenience factors in their rental search, according to Ms Conisbee.

“The streets that renters look at do tend to be more attractive to young people and are frequently quite close to universities and tertiary education,” she said.

North-facing streets with a pleasant view are typically more popular. Picture: realestate.com.au

In Brisbane, the most sought after street for renters was Warren Street in Spring Hill with an average of 7,748 views per listing over the past three years. While Warren Street is close to many of the city’s most popular amenities – the CBD shopping precinct, the Brisbane River, the popular bars and restaurants of Fortitude Valley – the street’s biggest drawcard is its proximity to major university and tertiary education providers in the area.

Local property manager Josie Petrack said there is a lot of rooming accommodation on Warren Street so each property tends to house separate rooms for rent.

“[These rentals] are very popular amongst students in the area, and the strong supply of newer-style apartments at cost-effective prices in Warren Street makes it a popular choice, particularly for young people and students,” Ms Petrack said.

Spring Hill’s median rent is $475 per week for a two-bedroom home, making it a “cost-effective” and convenient option for students, she added.  

Warren Street in Brisbane’s Spring Hill was the most in demand street for tenants in that city due to its proximity to university providers. Picture: Getty

Looking at the other capital cities it’s clear price and proximity to universities are major drawcards.

South Dowling Street in Waterloo was the most sought after street by renters in Sydney with an average 4,106 views per listing. Close to Moore Park, the inner-ring street includes multiple short-to-medium-term apartment options and is within reasonable proximity to transport and tertiary providers such as the University of New South Wales and University of Technology Sydney. The median rent in Waterloo sits at $670 per week for a two-bedroom home.

Meanwhile, the most in demand street in Adelaide was Rundle Mall in the city with 3,256 average views per listing over the past three years. The street is close to nightlife, cafes, restaurant,  Adelaide’s iconic Central Market and is 10-minutes by foot to the University of Adelaide. Tenants can expect to pay about $420 per week for a two-bedroom home in this neck of the woods.

Melbourne’s most in-demand street for renters, Federal Street in Footscray, had an average 2,954 views per listing in and is a stone’s throw from Victoria University. Stocked with period homes from Edwardian to Art Deco, as well as newer-style apartments, a two-bedroom rental goes for about $480 per week.

Darwin’s Dripstone Road in Casuarina, which had an average of 2,541 views per listing, is less than a two-minute drive to Charles Darwin University. Similarly, Davey Street in Hobart, which had 2,374 average views per listing, is a short drive from the University of Tasmania. Median rents in Hobart are about $520 per week for a two-bedroom house. 

Just a 15-minute drive from the University of Western Australia, James Road in Perth’s waterfront suburb of Swanbourne was the most in-demand street for renters in that city with each listing attracting an average 2,306 views. Median rents in Swanbourne are about $650 per week for a two-bedroom pad.

For the ACT, Canberra Avenue in the suburb of Symonston, near Fyshwick, was the most in demand street with 2,250 average views per listing over the past three years. Canberra Avenue happens to be on the same street as the Canberra Institute of Technology.

Will these streets be as popular among tenants post-COVID-19?

The absence of international students during the health crisis, which has caused city rental vacancy rates to soar, and the closure of some university campuses, could lead to a drop in demand for rental properties in the most in-demand streets for tenants in coming months.

Students will also likely be spending more time out of the classroom in the foreseeable future meaning they will less likely need to live close to campus. Meanwhile, some tenants are taking advantage of low interest rates to buy their first home and others are leaving the city for the outer suburbs.

Sam Nokes, head of department – property manager at Jellis Craig in Melbourne, added that COVID-19 has brought on challenges for landlords that could swallow up many rental properties in sought after streets. 

“The inner-city rental market is really difficult at the moment,” Mr Nokes said. “[An oversupply of vacant rentals has meant] some landlords are having to offer much lower rents just to get a tenant in, which will cause longterm issues because that rent won’t just be for the next three months, it’s for a lot longer than that.

“Some [landlords] have a minimum they’re able to charge before the property is unviable and we’re seeing some having to sell, but it’s not in particularly large numbers [at this stage].”

Rental demand in streets near universities could drop off because of international border closures but will make a comeback post-COVID-19. Picture: Getty.

However, director of economic research at realestate.com.au, Cameron Kusher, said there were other factors aside from universities that drew tenants to inner-city streets, and these will remain after the health crisis. 

“Many [renters] will still want to live close to the city for work and socialising, so the overall long-term impact of the global pandemic on Australia’s rental market is still uncertain,” Mr Kusher said. 

He added that while demand for certain streets may drop off amid the health crisis, they will make a comeback as the nation recovers.

“While rental demand may take a hit due to international border closures and university closures, properties in streets close to universities will see their popularity return as things return to normal.”

The post New data reveals Australia’s most popular streets for renters appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A pretty row of homogenous heritage homes.

Sitting pretty on one of Melbourne’s most revered streets, 5 Cambridge Street, Armadale offers more than just a picture-perfect facade.

But its famed homogenous heritage streetscape sure is a selling point for the Victorian— and one that will make coming home a visually appealing occurrence.

The street is made up of 32 almost identically decorated timber cottages, which were built in late 1800s, according to Heritage Victoria documents.

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Cambridge Street, Armadale features 32 cottages with almost identical designs.

“The cottages were all designed with low-pitched gable roofs having a strongly expressed gable end, circular louvred vents and uniform detailing,” the database reads.

“Today, the street is significant for the repetition of such details.”

While many of the facades have been updated over the years, the transformations must be in-line with heritage guidelines to maintain uniformity.

5 Cambridge Street, Armadale is up for sale.

It has a $1.55-$1.7m price guide.

There’s plenty of period highlights inside.

No. 5 is one of two properties on the street for sale and is listed with a $1.55-$1.7m price guide.

“Cambridge Street is one of the most unique and impressive streets in all of Melbourne,” said Jellis Craig partner Carla Fetter, who is marketing the two-bedroom home.

“Every house is a block-fronted Victorian built in 1892, creating street appeal like no other.”

Inside, elegant and stylish rooms are flooded with natural light.

They also showcase glorious period features, including ornate archways, high ceilings and open fireplaces.

No. 31 is also on the market.

At the other end of street, No. 31 is on the market with a $1.41-$1.55m price tag and is marketed as a “brilliant opportunity to purchase a very attractive two-bedroom Victorian house that would benefit from an upgrade”.

Two other Victorian cottages have sold on Cambridge Street in the past 12 months, according to realestate.com.au.

No. 3 fetched $1.66m in February and a three-bedroom pad at No. 4 sold for $1.875m in 2019.

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The post Cambridge Street, Armadale: Heritage house up for grabs appeared first on realestate.com.au.