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You may not have been able to afford 652 London Road — a seven-bedroom Hollywood-style mansion in Chandler — but you do have the chance to own some of its contents, from a Versace sofa to a compost bin.

On the market since March, the home, which attracted more than half a million views on social media from buyers across Australia and the world, sold after auction to a young Brisbane family, who had been looking for a home for six months.

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The property sold for more than the $3.85 million it was previously bought for.

The selling agent, Joseph Lordi of McGrath, said while he could not disclose the sale price, it exceeded the previous purchase price of $3.85 million in 2018.

Yet it seems the owner, film and television producer and music composer Hiwa Mahmodi, and the new buyers don’t have the same taste in decor, so after spending 15 months and more than $1.6 million turning the seven-bedroom Georgian-inspired home into an extravagant mansion, Mr Mahmodi has said everything must go.

Outgoing owner Hiwa Mahmodi spent $1.6 million turning the property into an extravagant mansion.

Nathan Dwyer, business development manager at Slattery Auctions and Valuations, which is handling the auction, said he had already registered more than 350 individual and grouped lots.

“It’s practically everything from the statues outside to the owner’s bed,” he said.

Some of the more attention-grabbing items include Versace furniture, more than 60 statues and feature pieces including two of life-size horses, and Mr Mahmodi’s prized grand piano.

“That’s basically his background, music, he’s a pianist and he owns a few sound studios so the piano will be a big-ticket item. And the Versace stuff, well it’s just going to go bonkers.”

One of more than 60 statues up for auction.

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Yet Mr Dwyer said there was definitely something for everyone, with some of the other lots listed including an air hockey table, pots of premium artificial flowers, fishing rods and reels, a foosball table, compost bin, an animal hutch and a wooden row boat.

“Most of the inquiries so far have been about the Versace stuff, but while there is lots of expensive stuff listed there is also a lot of not so expensive stuff,” he said.

The outgoing owner’s grand piano is one of the hot-ticket items up for grabs.

Mr Dwyer said most of the items will be set as unreserved, aside from some of Mr Mahmodi’s more prized possessions.

He said he had received hundreds of inquiries from buyers up and down the East Coast since the auction went online on Thursday.

The auction will be held on site at the property on July 26 at 1pm.

The Versace furniture has attracted a lot of inquiries.

The post Contents of Brisbane Hollywood-style mansion up for auction appeared first on realestate.com.au.

House sales across greater Darwin have grown 10.9 per cent following some of the most active months in real estate in recent history. Picture: iStock

HOUSE sales across greater Darwin have grown 10.9 per cent following some of the most active months in real estate in recent history.

The Real Estate Institute of the Northern Territory’s Real Estate Local Market Report for the June quarter shows 204 houses were sold between April and May.

REINT chief executive Quentin Kilian said Darwin’s northern suburbs were particularly popular with buyers.

“The bulk of this was in the Darwin north coastal area, with a 25.9 per cent increase and takes in suburbs such as Alawa, Coconut Grove, Milner, Nightcliff and Wanguri,” he said.

“Palmerston also fared well with an 11.3 per cent increase in sales volumes.”

The median house price increased by 1.6 per cent across greater Darwin to $477,00.

“However, the increases were much stronger in some areas, with inner Darwin seeing a strong lift of 7.8 per cent in median price and Palmerston seeing its median go up 4 per cent,” Mr Kilian said.

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Median house prices in the rural area were strong, with a 16.3 per cent increase to $349,000 in Katherine and a 59 per cent increase to $310,000 in Tennant Creek.

Sales volumes were up 80 per cent in Katherine and 25 per cent in Tennant Creek.

“While the Alice Springs volumes were down, the median price held up very well with an increase of 3.2 per cent to $471,500,” Mr Kilian said.

For units and townhouses, however, sales volumes fell by 11.6 per cent and the median price by 7.5 per cent.

Mr Kilian said all was not lost on the unit and townhouse market.

“Inner Darwin and Palmerston bucked the negative sales trend for the quarter with inner Darwin unit sales up by 6.9 per cent and Palmerston unit sales rose a very healthy 27.8 per cent,” he said.

Alice Springs had a strong growth in sales that were up 11.1 per cent and in the median price, which increased by 3.2 per cent to $337,500.

vacancy rates across the Territory fell to 3.6 per cent in greater Darwin, to 2.9 per cent in Palmerston and to 4.3 per cent in Alice Springs.

“Following on from the lead in the January quarter, the Territory continues to have a very active rental market,” Mr Kilian said.

“A trend that appears to be continuing into the September quarter.”

raphaella.saroukos@news.com.au

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Multiple buyers put forward offers for 1 Cuddihy Court, Lovely Banks.

The bigger is better philosophy clearly rang true for the new owners of a sprawling Lovely Banks property that’s just sold for $1.277m.

Buyers seeking a lifestyle address not far from central Geelong lined up to inspect the 1.35ha offering that has garaging for 14 cars, a swimming pool and views over Corio Bay.

Harcourts, North Geelong agent Joe Grgic said 1 Cuddihy Court went under offer within 10 days of hitting the market.

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There’s plenty of living space on offer here.

And the promise of outdoor fun.

“We had multiple offers from different parties,” Mr Grgic said.

“It sold to a local guy who is very excited.”

The property comes with a two-storey, four-bedroom house that includes a huge ensuite, large enough to accommodate a couch.

The ensuite bathroom is in a league of its own.

The upstairs retreat offers flexibility.

The new owners will also enjoy three living areas, a renovated kitchen and an updated outdoor entertainment area overlooking the pool.

“It was the combination of the lifestyle property, being three acres, and it’s right there,” Mr Grgic said.

“I had some Melbourne buyers come down and they couldn’t believe its proximity to everything but yet it had that rural feel.

The dining room has great outdoor connection.

Cuddle up by the gas log heater in winter.

“I actually have people who missed out and buyers that are still looking.”

He said the generous shedding, which includes a double garage and separate shed which can accommodate 10-12 vehicles, was perfect for tradies or storing caravans and trailers.

The post Buyers quick to act on coveted Lovely Banks lifestyle property appeared first on realestate.com.au.

2 Pardalote Close, Opossum Bay. Picture: SUPPLIED

THE chance to get a foot in the door of the Opossum Bay market can be a challenge — take one look at this home and you will quickly see why.

Property owners in this small town on the South Arm Peninsula tend to hold on to their homes rather than let them hit the market due to the wonderful, relaxed lifestyle where every day feels like a holiday.

No.2 Pardalote Close is set on a generous 1918sqm of land.

Bright and airy, the home is bathed in all-day sunlight.

It is perfectly positioned to capture mesmerising water and mountain views.

Designed for effortless indoor/outdoor living, glass sliding doors open on to an expansive north-facing deck, the perfect vantage point to soak in the views and breathe in the invigorating sea air.

Light and bright living.

Sophisticated interiors.

This amazing deck sweeps around much of the home, from the carport past the living zone and around to one of the bedrooms.

The spacious interiors feature vinyl plank flooring, fresh white walls and an open floorplan to offer a relaxed space for living, dining and cooking.

A fabulous fireplace in the living room makes a design statement while also keeping the family toasty warm.

Clean lines, quality stainless steel appliances, a glass splashback, ample storage solutions and a massive island bench combine to provide a beautiful and functional kitchen. For those looking to grab breakfast at the bench, there is ample space for four stools.

Relax in the bath.

Good night!

The accommodation comprises of three bedrooms, each with wall-length built-in wardrobes. The master bedroom has the luxury of an ensuite.

The property also features a superbly appointed bathroom with tiles, a vanity and a separate bath and shower.

The floorplan offers a separate laundry and toilet.

This sleek and stylishly presented triple-bedroom house is certain to impress those seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle in Hobart’s well-loved southern beaches region.

This appealing beachside residence is about a 40-minutes drive south of Hobart.

It offers immediate access to stunning beaches and local amenities creating the perfect place for young families, retirees or those simply looking for their own coastal haven.

Stunning at every turn.

Location, location.

No.2 Pardalote Close, Opossum Bay is listed with EIS Property and priced between $$595,000-$645,000.

New realestate.com.au data shows a 16.5 per cent annual median price up-tick in popular Opossum Bay.

Compared to three years ago, the median has grown further still by over 43 per cent.

The post Style and sophistication key to the good life appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Michelle Penny (left) and Kerry Bruce are selling a very different kind of country pub. Picture: Alex Coppel

A broadsword and suit of armour aren’t what you’d expect to find in a country pub.

Neither is a museum room full of Light Horse Brigade artefacts.

But when Michelle Penny and Kerry Bruce bought Nathalia’s 114-year-old Court House Hotel at 65 Blake St in 2017 they were determined to renovate it with their own personal flair.

And the pair think their efforts have helped put “the most beautiful little town” in Victoria, about 231km north of Melbourne and 40 minutes from Echuca, on the map.

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The dining room was given a medieval flavour after they received a set of antique chairs as a house-warming gift. It now features carpets hung on the walls as well as horse and knight statues.

They even bought a suit of armour from the estate of one of Ms Bruce’s regulars at the barber shop she set up in the hotel’s former bottle-shop next door.

The museum room is a homage to Australia’s commitment to World War I and II. Picture: Alex Coppel

The hotel has a medieval theme in the dining room. Picture: Alex Coppel

“We only open the rest of the pub on Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” she said.

A back room has become a museum of World War I memorabilia including saddles used by the Light Horse Brigade in the Battle of Beersheba and a World War II ration biscuit signed by squad mates of one of Australia’s last surviving WWII veterans.

So a horse walks into a bar … Picture: Alex Coppel

One of the rooms has also become a tearoom — with a few umbrellas overhead for a bit of extra aesthetic appeal. Picture: Alex Coppel.

The pair use some of it to put on a re-enactment in nearby Barmah every Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, or for any other occasion where people will have them.

A horse head presides over what has been dubbed the Boutique Brumby Bar. And while the Carlton Draught and Dry taps are popular — the pair prefer a cream liqueur themselves.

The beer garden outside is now called the stockyard, and the accommodation inside features a mix of antique writing desks and four-poster beds.

The beer garden is now known as the stockyard.

Even the hotel’s accommodation is far from typical. Picture: Alex Coppel

“People think it’s incredible, and they can’t believe that we did it,” Ms Penny said.

But after all their efforts, the pair are selling, with the next owner to inherit everything except the suit of armour and most of the war memorabilia.

“We never planned to run it,” Ms Bruce said.

“We just wanted to do it up. Whoever buys it gets the whole shebang.”

Pictured: the whole shebang.

The suit of armour is not a part of the aforementioned shebang.

Only they have no idea what the 4000sq m property is worth and are hoping to get an offer that seems right by their September 30 planned sale date.

“If someone makes us an offer we like, we will sell it to them,” Ms Penny said.

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The post Court House Hotel, Nathalia: Country Victorian pub includes medieval theme, war museum appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Victoria’s million-dollar club has swelled more than any other state’s in the past year, new figures show.

Twenty-one Melbourne suburbs have risen up the ranks to achieve seven-figure median house prices — despite the pandemic curbing the city’s market in recent months.

The city has 119 suburbs with a median of $1m or above, which is up from 98 a year ago, according to realestate.com.au data.

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A freshly renovated two-bedroom house at 103 Williamstown Road, Seddon.

The property has an asking price of $900,000-$950,000.

Trendy inner postcodes Brunswick East, Coburg and Collingwood joined outer-eastern suburbs Box Hill South, Mitcham and Nunawading among the latest standard-bearers for seven-figure sales.

Box Hill South had the biggest jump, moving from a $990,000 median to $1,266,666 by the end of June.

In the west, Kensington, Kingsville, Maribyrnong and Seddon also joined the club.

Aspendale, Niddrie and Spotswood were the only suburbs to drop off the lengthy list.

Spotswood recorded the largest fall, dropping from an $1.03m average one year ago to $940,000 at the end of June.

Harcourts Box Hill agent Dennis Shi said redrawn school zones had brought a section of the suburb into the coveted Box Hill High School catchment area.

No. 83 Gordon St, Coburg is on the market for $1.05-$1.15m.

Period details in the three-bedroom house.

This, coupled with closeness to Aqualink and Box Hill Central, ensured Box Hill South’s northern pocket was leading the suburb’s price surge, Mr Shi said.

“Those areas represent a lot of the very high prices and that drives the median up,” he said.

But experts say price growth in the suburbs could be short lived, with Melbourne’s second COVID-19 lockdown likely to put downward pressure on values.

Industry Insider director Andrew Date said outer suburbs were more likely to drop out of the million-dollar club.

“The inner-city market, during this pandemic, is not going to be as affected as the market further out in the suburbs,” Mr Date said.

“When prices rise, they rise close to the city first and filter out.”

No. 1 Prince Edward Avenue, Mitcham is on a 1036sq m block.

The Mitcham house costs $900,000-$990,000.

Mr Date said supply and demand would dictate which suburbs continued to show price growth.

“The big driver of any price falls, which it’s pretty likely we’ll see, will be increased supply,” he said. “Low supply is holding prices to a point where they haven’t dropped off significantly.”

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said while Melbourne led the way for suburbs reaching the million-dollar benchmark in Australia, it was still “too early to tell what impact” the second lockdown would have on the market.

New suburbs to the million-dollar club

Suburb, 2019 price, 2020 price

Blackburn North, $950,000, $1.08m

Blackburn South, $960,000, $1.101m

Box Hill South, $995,000, $1,266,666

Brunswick East, $990,000, $1.001m

Burwood East, $965,000, $1,084,500

Chadstone, $992,200, $1.01m

Cheltenham, $950,000, $1,035,500

Coburg, $925,500, $1,027,500

Collingwood, $930,000, $1.075m

Edithvale, $899,000, $1m

Flemington, $956,750, $1,019,500

Kensington, $902,500, $1115,500

Kingsville, $952,500, $1,017,500

Maribyrnong, $935,000, $1,012,500

Mentone, $995,000, $1,040,500

Mitcham, $902,000, $1.02m

Moorabbin, $960,000, $1.14m

Mt Martha, $950,00, $1,022,500

Nunawading, $899,000, $1,035,500

Preston, $901,000, $1,010,500

Rosanna, $990,000, $1.115m

Seddon, $970,000, $1,009,500

Vermont, $900,000, $1.02m

Wantirna South, $910,000, $1,029,500

Suburbs that fell out of the million-dollar club

Suburb, 2019 price, 2020 price

Aspendale, $1m, $985,000

Niddrie, $1m, $970,000

Spotswood, $1.03m, $940,000

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jack.boronovskis@news.com.au

@jackboronovskis

The post Melbourne million-dollar suburbs: 21 join the club appeared first on realestate.com.au.

28 Kenneth St, Tamarama, with a $15m guide, has panoramic ocean views.

I think I’ve found Heaven. It’s a wild and woolly winter’s day outside, but I’m here on the sofa in front a blazing fire (well, an Escea gas fireplace), just taking in the amazing view.

This Madeleine Blanchfield-designed three-level five-bedroom, five-bathroom Headland House at 28 Kenneth St, Tamarama, really is something else.

It’s up for sale in an expressions of interest campaign with a $15m price guide via Pillinger principal Brad Pillinger.

The top-floor kitchen, dining and living zone is wrapped in glass on three sides. Dogs are playing in the rain in Marks Park below and, across the foaming ocean, I can still see North Bondi’s Ben Buckler.

I’m here for the Wentworth Courier House of the Week exclusive tour.

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There’s a blazing fire (well, an Escea gas fireplace).

The master suite has walls of white cupboards, some of which are actually doorways, and opens to a huge terrace.

As much as I’m loving it, Brad Pillinger points out it’s a completely different vibe on a warmer day when the sun’s shining and all that glass facing the park and ocean opens up, including the central terrace.

But the clever design goes way beyond capitalising on the 270-degree panoramic view. What I love is the way everything in this entertaining space can be hidden away behind a cupboard door: the big subzero fridge; the butler’s pantry; the TV, the kitchen utensils, a study nook; a toilet and junk space.

It’s all so superbly crafted, from the sculptural steel staircase at one end of the house, to, at the other end, stairs behind a discreet door leading to the master suite.

Everything can be tucked away behind a wall of cupboards on the entertainment level.

28 Kenneth St, Tamarama, overlooks Marks Park and the ocean.

In the bedroom, I was confused at first — the walls are all white cupboard doors, including the two entry points: once inside I couldn’t find my way out again! I retreated to the massive terrace, which has a view in the other direction — across the sands at Bronte to the south. Naturally the master has a stylish ensuite.

Eventually I find the door out into the hallway, which leads to the other three bedrooms, one of which also has an ensuite. The other two are serviced by a shared bathroom. All three have built-in custom-built wardrobes and a desk — and an ocean view.

the sculptural steel staircase is to the left of the entrance.

Dogs are in Marks Park playing in the rain during the Wentworth Courier’s House of the Week visit.

The “fifth” bedroom, on the lower ground floor, is set up as a study with a Murphy bed, and has a bathroom right next door.

Down here there’s also the gym, a home theatre, wine-cellar, a laundry and the three-car garage.

Pillinger says: “Award-winning architect Madeleine Blanchfield has created a stunning home with ocean views from Bondi to Bronte.”

The post Madeleine Blanchfield’s Headland House in Tamarama is Heaven, even on a rainy day appeared first on realestate.com.au.

12 Watkins Ave, West Hobart. Picture: SUPPLIED

THIS classic 1950s West Hobart home is as large as it is impressive.

Located just minutes from the city centre in thriving and ever popular West Hobart, this four-bedroom property is set on a significant 1159sqm of land with two titles.

This inner-city property was purpose built to accommodate its owner while also providing two custom built single-bedroom apartments.

The apartments would be fantastic for an owner that wishes to provide family lodging for an elderly parent or a young adult in need of their own space.

Given its location, it would certainly be popular for those looking to rent in the area.

The property is in very sound condition and still retaining character features and hallmarks of its vintage.

It currently hosts good tenants who have resided here for several years.

An awesome location.

Room to move.

Unit No.3 is the largest of the group with a floorplan that offers three bedrooms, a bathroom with a separate shower and bath tub, a living room, a neat kitchen/dining space, a sunroom and a covered porch.

It has two carports and additional storage space, also.

Units No.2 and No.1 provide a single bedroom each alongside a living room, kitchen/dining area and a bathroom with a tub. No.12 also has a covered veranda.

These units also have a carport.

The property avails itself of the potential to subdivide with an opportunity existing to free up 600-700sqm for development, STCA.

The possibility of making a boundary adjustment/variation between the existing titles creates an even more realistic chance to use this vacant space.

PRD Hobart property representative Julian Stepik said the property was “an opportunity for the astute investor/developer to acquire one of the few remaining inner-city properties which provides a sound investment income and the chance to un-tap up to 700sqm of developable land”.

“A find like this could be compared to locating that elusive needle in your haystack,” he said.

Plenty of parking.

When opportunity knocks.

The icing on the cake is that the property is within a comfortable walk of the CBD and North Hobart’s restaurant strip.

So close to town, the property also boasts elevated views across the city.

Inspection of No.12 Watkins Ave is by appointment only.

This West Hobart property is listed with PRD Hobart at “Offers over $1.2 million”.

New realestate.com.au data shows solid growth in West Hobart’s house sector of the market. In the past 12 months the median has grown by 3.5 per cent across 72 sales.

However, with 15 sales in the unit market, the annual median has shot up by 30.9 per cent, an example of the level of demand for smaller homes in this inner-city hot spot.

The post Vast and flexible West Hobart ‘needle in your haystack’ appeared first on realestate.com.au.

An artist’s impression of Lendlease’s Victoria Cross development in North Sydney.

North Sydney is set for a commercial development boom worth more than $1.5 billion, and major tenants are believed to already be interested in crossing the bridge.

Lendlease has secured development approval for the Victoria Cross over station development – a brand new $1.2 billion commercial tower rising more than 42 storeys above the future Victoria Cross metro station.

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The news came hot on the heels of an announcement by Oxford Investa Property Partnership that it had lodged a development application with North Sydney Council for a major redevelopment of the landmark MLC Building.

A preliminary artist’s impression of the proposed development at the MLC Building at 105 Miller St, North Sydney.

A preliminary artist’s impression of the proposed development at the MLC Building at 105 Miller St, North Sydney.

The $450 million project proposes a revitalised 27-level commercial building with a large publicly accessible indoor and outdoor space with food, and retail offerings.

Both projects are expected to generate thousands of jobs.

Mark Tait, Investa’s Group executive and head of Commercial Development, said the project was expected to generate 1700 jobs during construction, and house 6200 workers when fully occupied.

Jeheon Son, Lendlease’s head of Development NSW, said the Victoria Cross development would create about 2800 jobs during construction and house up to 7000 local workers once completed.

An artist’s impression of Lendlease’s Victoria Cross development in North Sydney.

He said the NSW Government’s rapid transit Sydney Metro network – currently under construction – would forge an unprecedented link between the Sydney and North Sydney CBDs.

“It is a huge investment (for Lendlease),” Mr Son said. “We haven’t had a presence in North Sydney in decades.”

He said the new metro system would mean commuters could be in North Sydney from the Sydney centre within minutes.

He said discussions were already underway with several high profile potential tenants, but was tight-lipped about the nature of their business. Both developers acknowledged the COVID-19 pandemic would change the landscape of many commercial operations.

But they are confident proper planning will meet the demands of future work practices, and are looking to incorporate new smart building initiatives.

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