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The Gold Coast appeals to a lot of buyers, including those from Hong Kong. Picture: Glen Anderson – We Are Gold Coast

Hong Kongers pushed to breaking point by China’s strengthening grip on the former British territory are increasingly seeking out Australia as a potential new home, real estate search data has revealed.

Amid the introduction of a draconian new security law by Beijing and the Morrison Government’s offer of Australian work rights with a path to citizenship for residents in the territory, interest in the local property from Hong Kong has spiked.

The political unrest which dramatically escalated in June last year, boosted interest in Australian real estate by as much as 34 per cent year-on-year, on Australia’s leading property platform realestate.com.au.

The continued unrest in Hong Kong has led many locals to look overseas for their next home. Picture: Getty

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Due to the latest developments, search activity from Hong Kong has peaked by as much as double that again.

Interest in property in Victoria has lifted by 25 per cent, year-on-year. In NSW over the same time frame it has grown by 36 per cent, in Queensland by 38 per cent and in Adelaide by 65 per cent.

Unusual search activity

“This basically began 12 months ago when we started to see the riots in Hong Kong and since then things have gone from bad to worse for a lot of people and then we have had COVID-19. So, that search activity keeps going up,” said REA chief economist Nerida Conisbee.

“It is a very unsettled economic and political situation. The data tells us that a lot of people there are looking to move and a lot of ex-pats are looking to come home.”

High density housing dominates Hong Kong.

Search activity from Hong Kong is characterised by notable differences from other overseas locations.

“The price point they are looking at is around $1 million and above whereas the more typical price point we get from overseas is lower at $750,000,” Ms Conisbee said.

“That could be due to the extreme pricing of property in Hong Kong.”

Australia as a safe haven

Sebastian James, a buyer’s agent with Hunter James, is witnessing this search interest translate into on the ground transactions.

“We’ve definitely seen a larger than normal level of inquiry from Hong Kong buyers and expats in general this year with many citing global uncertainty as a primary reason,” he said. “There has definitely been a lot of concern on the impacts of security and privacy whilst others are just looking at Sydney as a safe haven for their money.”

Doncaster, Doncaster East and Melbourne are the most favoured Victorian suburbs for those searching from Hong Kong. In NSW, it is Sydney, Chatswood and Epping, in Queensland it is the Gold Coast, Indooroopilly and Brisbane City and in South Australia, Adelaide, North Adelaide and Norwood lead the way.

Buyer’s agent Sebastian James from Hunter James says inquiries from Hong Kong are strong. Picture: supplied

Ericka Wong, property partner with The Agency in Melbourne focuses on the above suburbs in her role as a seller’s agent.

“On the ground late last year I was meeting lots of people at those four particular suburbs [including Balwyn] at the opens that were from Hong Kong and had come to Australia to specifically look at real estate,” she said.

“This time around we are in lockdown but we continue to get lot of inquiries.

“We have always seen a lot of activity in these areas that are attractive to people from Hong Kong or even mainland China.

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“It’s close to the city, they are areas that have traditionally appealed to the Asian demographic and the schools there are very good which seems to come at a premium.

“There is a lot of investment interest and given Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, their real estate prices over there are crazy for cramped, high density apartments. For what they pay for tiny living quarters over there they can get a house with land here so in many ways it is a lifestyle move as well.”

Ericka Wong from The Agency says Australian real estate continues to appeal to those in Hong Kong.

We are marketing to Hong Kong

Australian property has emerged as a safe investment over several decades and that is even more so the case during this global pandemic.

“The other thing that is happening alongside high levels of search from Hong Kong is that a lot of developers are marketing to Hong Kong,” Ms Conisbee said.

“There is a strong appetite for Australian property over there and offshore buyers are restricted to buying new property. There are a lot of people wanting to get their money out of Hong Kong and relocate and Australia is a very safe economy. There is a low sovereign risk here whereas in Hong Kong there are a lot of unknowns.

“Australia looks comparatively safe to the rest of the world, including the US and the UK and that includes when it comes to how we have dealt with COVID-19.”

Residential property in the heart of Sydney is highly sought-after in Hong Kong.

Most popular suburb for Hong Kong buyers*

NSW

Sydney 2000

Chatswood 2067

Epping 2121

Lindfield 2070

Killara 2071

Gordon 2072

Roseville 2069

Mosman 2088

Carlingford 2118

Hurstville 2220

The Gold Coast is also very popular. Picture: Jerad Williams

QLD

Gold Coast

Indooroopilly 4068

Brisbane City 4000

Eight Mile Plains 4113

Sunnybank 4109

Sunnybank Hills 4109

Toowong 4066

Sunshine Coast

Rochedale 4123

Macgregor 4109

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Buyers from Hong Kong are also keen on central Adelaide.

SA

Adelaide 5000

North Adelaide 5006

Norwood 5067

Magill 5072

Mawson Lakes 5095

Adelaide Hills

Kensington 5068

Unley 5061

Lightsview 5085

Goodwood 5034

Houses on generous portions of land in suburbs like Doncaster East are also appealing.

VIC

Doncaster 3108

Doncaster East 3109

Melbourne 3000

Glen Waverley 3150

South Yarra 3141

Hawthorn 3122

Box Hill 3128

Toorak 3142

Kew 3101

Balwyn 3103

*Top searched suburbs by state in the last six months to the buy section of realestate.com.au.

The post Interest in Australian real estate from Hong Kong continues to boom appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A SOVEREIGN Islands mega mansion has sold for $6.6 million, the highest sale on the exclusive island enclave this year.

A Gold Coast buyer splashed the cash, drawn to the 1682 sqm property at 91-93 The Sovereign Mile.

91-93 The Sovereign Mile, Sovereign Islands.

91-93 The Sovereign Mile, Sovereign Islands.

The house features several entertaining and living areas across four levels as well as a cinema, gym, resort-style pool and pontoon.

Isaac Kim and Ivy Wu of Ivy Realty Paradise Point handled the mega sale and said it would provide a boost of confidence to the property market.

“We had a lot of interest in this property during COVID-19,” Mr Kim said.

91-93 The Sovereign Mile, Sovereign Islands.

91-93 The Sovereign Mile, Sovereign Islands.

“It’s very good news for everyone who lives on the island.

“There is a pool of buyers ready to buy here but not enough stock.”

CoreLogic records show the property first hit the market 12 months ago with an $8.95 million price tag.

It follow the $5.5 million sale of 1-3 Knightsbridge Pde East through Ray White Sovereign Islands earlier this month.

The post Record $6.6 million sale for Gold Coast mega mansion appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Local buyers seeking extra space purchased 45 Houston Rd, Lara.

Strong demand for manageable acreage properties drove “ridiculous” levels of inquiry for a grand Lara house on 1.82ha of land.

Harcourts, North Geelong agent Joe Grgic said the imposing four-bedroom house at 45 Houston Road attracted incredible interest.

Local Lara buyers paid $915,000 for the house, which offers more than 460sq m of living space.

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The property is located within the Northern Geelong Growth Precinct, creating an opportunity for land banking, but Mr Grgic said the size of the house and land was the big attraction.

He said the house itself needed work, which put some buyers off once they inspected it.

“It was ridiculous how much inquiry we got and how many people wanted to buy it until they saw it,” Mr Grgic said.

Exposed brick and timber add character to the loungeroom.

The kitchen is also crafted from solid timber.

He said many people were seeking extra space, with buyers from Melbourne’s western suburbs looking to move down to Lara.

“There is a huge market for people that want one acre plus just to have that space around the home and to a shed to do things,” he said.

Timber cathedral ceilings and exposed brick feature inside the house, which has three separate living areas, including a rumpus room with a bar and wood heater.

The house has four bedrooms.

The floorplan also has three bathrooms, a sauna, home office and a double garage.

Large vehicles can be stored in another 19m long shed on the property.

The post Grand Lara house on acreage attracts huge interest appeared first on realestate.com.au.

4/6 Buckhurst Ave, Point Piper has a guide in the “high teens”.

You know you’ve made it when you can wake up every day to this view, with boats bobbing about in the harbour in the foreground and the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge beyond.

And when you walk into your kitchen, TV room, and the deck off the living and dining room — that same iconic view is still right there in your face.

That’s the case with this four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment at 4/6 Buckhurst Ave, Point Piper — owned by former Sydney lord mayor Nelson Meers and his wife, Carole — which hit the market on Wednesday with a “high teens” guide via LJ Hooker Double Bay’s Bill Malouf and Margaret Morosi.

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Wake up to iconic views.

The master suite features a freestanding bathtub.

There are no direct comparables, but Malouf points to the $20m deal on an apartment in nearby Wolseley Road in 2018, when property developer Phillip George and his wife, Jane, sold to University of Sydney chancellor Belinda Hutchinson.

And that didn’t have views of the Bridge and Opera House.

“I consider this one of the best waterfront apartments in the eastern suburbs,” Malouf said.

“It’s an opportunity for a penthouse-style apartment with beach access and views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.”

The kitchen is well-appointed and also has incredible views.

The huge open-plan living space.

Take a look at the floorplan on realestate.com.au — the apartment is huge, measuring 449sq m with terraces.

The block was dramatically transformed about a decade ago, with the original 14 units converted to six whole-floor designer apartments, with all the best fittings and furnishings.

The reconfiguration has allowed a large open-plan entertainment space with a Jetmaster fireplace.

Just one of the attractions is an innovative glass-fronted wintergarden, which can be opened to the elements in the warmer months.

The grand entry.

A fine spot for breakfast.

Others are the Caesarstone gas kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, butler’s pantry and coolroom.

Three of the four bedrooms have stylish ensuites and the master has a freestanding bath tub.

The fourth bedroom, which could be a study, has a bathroom right by the door.

Downsizers will love the direct internal lift access. Doors also open to the private four-car garage.

And there’s a temperature-controlled wine cellar. The owners share an infinity pool at the water’s edge.

Nelson Meers was Sydney’s lord mayor 1978-1980, practised for many years as a commercial and defamation lawyer, and in 2005 was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the community.

The post Former Sydney lord mayor Nelson Meers and wife Carole list Point Piper waterfront apartment appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A green touch.

Being in this Richmond home is “like wearing Cashmere”, according to its owners of seven years.

“It’s comfortable, light and luxurious,” RT Edgar Toorak selling agent Max Ruttner explained.

Buyers now have the chance to find out if the glorious double-fronted Victorian at 10 Erin Street fits them — it’s on the market with a $4-$4.4m price guide.

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Before a renovation of the grand property.

Can you feel the Cashmere?

Mr Ruttner said the vendors were a “high-profile architect and designer” who’d raised three children at the four-bedroom terrace house after gutting and recreating its interior.

“It wasn’t a project for them, it was a family home,” he said.

The agent said the house had quickly attracted the attention of “doctors, solicitors, and downsizers who want to be closer to the city” — as well as a long-time admirer.

“I received a phone call from a buyer who missed out on this in 2013 (when CoreLogic records show it sold to the owners for $2.67m),” Mr Ruttner said.

A stately facade.

The property in 2013 before it was transformed internally.

And after.

“He said to me, ‘I always promised myself when this came to market for sale again, I would do everything to buy it’.”

Drawcards for buyers included the home’s natural light, “welcoming” tones and colours, and inner-city location walking distance to the MCG, Bridge Road, public transport links and the Epworth hospital.

Its period character is preserved in French Oak parquetry flooring, bay windows, ornate ceiling roses, open fireplaces, and 3.5m-high ceilings

The entry when it sold in 2013.

Parquetry floors are luxurious underfoot.

Multiple living areas make up the ground floor, including an open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen space that opens out to Rick Eckersley-designed gardens with a barbecue deck. Parking for two cars completes the yard.

The kitchen is packed with Miele appliances, and also features a Smeg oven, Travertine benchtops and a butler’s pantry.

Luxe on luxe.

Clean contemporary style.

Two of the fours bedrooms have ensuites decked out in Carrara marble, and all of them can be found on the upper level, which has balconies at each end.

The shared bathroom, which also has marble floors and walls, boasts a tub with city views.

Co-listing agent Jeremy Fox said the house had “one of the best renovations of a terrace he’d seen”.

Its expressions of interest campaign closes August 13.

A beautiful way to wake up.

Arch appeal.

Luxury lounging.

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samantha.landy@news.com.au

The post Richmond two-storey Victorian house ‘like wearing Cashmere’ appeared first on realestate.com.au.

52 Kunama Close, Kingston Beach. Picture: SUPPLIED

JUST imagine … you wake up, roll out of bed, turn on the coffee machine – and this gigantic water vista stretches out before you.

Pretty great, right?

From its private, elevated position, this family home at Kingston Beach boasts one of the most mesmerising views over the sand and bay.

The balcony off the kitchen will be the place to be all day long, with the sun beaming in there all afternoon and into the evening.

Knight Frank sales consultant Abi Freeman described No.52 Kunama as a “significant, phenomenal property”.

Abi said there had been plenty of interest in the home from local and interstate buyers, however the mainlanders were waiting for Tasmania’s boarders to open to make an inspection possible.

She said families in particular had been attracted to the home’s size and position.

Water for days.

Dinner time.

Relaxed and comfortable.

Alongside showstopping features such as the huge block and water views, many buyers have been attracted to the lower level of the home and the flexibility it offers. There is a lot of space and plumbing in place which may lend it to development as a living area or a home for grandparents or teens.

“People that have walked through the home have called it a private oasis,” Abi said.

“Kunama Close is positioned up and away from the suburb’s main roads in a really tiny little cul-de-sac. It is an exclusive part of Kingston Beach.

“The property sits in an elevated location that looks straight to the water.

“And that view will never be built-out by a neighbour.

“It has that feeling of being in the middle of everywhere but you could be in the middle of nowhere.”

Abi described the grounds, about 3000sq m-plus, as leafy and well-established.

She said a gardener could do amazing things with this property or, for those without a green thumb, the gardens are low-maintenance and will look after themselves.

“There is also a reserve next to the property, which adds to the level of privacy on offer here,” Abi said.

Sink into the tub.

Space for the whole family.

The bedrooms capture the blue view too.

Built in the 1980s and, more recently, thoroughly updated, the home combines modern updates with original features. The sophisticated interiors make a design statement with their clean lines and crisp finishes.

The home’s expansive open-plan living zone is light-filled and spacious with extensive glazing throughout to capitalise on the stunning bird’s-eye views.

The living room has the luxury of woodheating while the combined kitchen and dining room is bound to be a highlight for potential buyers who love to entertain.

Glass sliders open to that sunny deck, further extending the living space for larger gatherings and offering a special spot to relax and admire the ever-changing view.

The sleek white kitchen has an island bench with enough space for four people to sit and have breakfast.

The kitchen has double sinks, gas cooking, plenty of preparation space, and cupboards high and low.

On this first-floor level of the home is a loungeroom, workshop and a big storage space.

Most of the bedrooms are located on the second floor.

The master bedroom offers the luxury of a walk-in wardrobe, ensuite and spa room, making it a true parents’ retreat.

So much potential.

Rack ‘em up.

A picture window in this room frames a view of the beach and adds to the luxury. It also opens to a large study with built-in wardrobes.

There are two more bedrooms on this level, serviced by a central family bathroom with a separate tub and shower.

A fourth bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe is on the lower ground floor, next to the rumpus room.

The property is kept warm via a combination of panel heaters and heat pumps.

The NBN is connected and it has solar hot water and solar panels to enhance the home’s efficiency.

The carport provides undercover off-street parking.

This family home’s well-designed and functional floor plan offers relaxed coastal living that should appeal to purchasers seeking an easy-care property with an unsurpassed backdrop beyond.

No.52 Kunama Close, Kingston Beach is priced at “Offers over $1.15 million” and listed with Knight Frank.

The post Large private leafy and with huge beach views, it ticks every box appeared first on realestate.com.au.

15 Southern Cross Drive, Surfers Paradise, sold for $12.45m on June 29, 2020.

A mansion that landed former Billabong head Matthew Perrin in jail has sold for a record price, fetching double what his ex flipped it for at the height of the controversy.

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The home sits on Cronin Island on the Gold Coast.

The sumptuous property was owned by Mr Perrin’s wife Nicole Bricknell.

The stunning seven bedroom waterfront property at 15 Southern Cross Drive, Surfers Paradise, has set a record for Cronin Island after selling for a massive $12.45m.

The sale price was double what Mr Perrin’s ex-wife Nicole Bricknell sold the home for in January 2012, flicking it for $6.1m three years after he declared bankruptcy.

Mr Perrin was jailed after the court found he had falsified documents.

Ms Bricknell – who owned the mansion – was under pressure from the Commonwealth Bank, which had attempted to seize the mansion to pay for the massive $13.5m in debt Mr Perrin owed the big four financier. Mr Perrin was jailed for eight years

She sold the home to Terry Gavan, a local businessman on the Gold Coast, who waited eight years before landing the mega $12.45m price for the property.

The property has a pontoon for a vessel as well as jetskis.

The house sits on some of the most prized real estate on the coast, on a large 1,239sq m block on an island where neighbours include some of the richest people in Australasia.

The property was sold by Ryan Ward and Michael Kollosche of Kollosche – Broadbeach.

They had listed it on realestate.com.au as a “Bayden Goddard masterpiece”.

The garage can take a dozen vehicles.

“The vast layout flows over four magnificent light-filled levels accessible by elevator revealing bespoke interiors designed to maximise views and create an effortless indoor/outdoor flow.”

Among its charms was a 2000-bottle wine cellar, a 12-car garage, eight bathrooms, a 10m infinity pool and a 12m pontoon with jet ski pontoons as well.

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The post Ex Billabong head’s controversial mansion sells for record price appeared first on realestate.com.au.

7 Ashley St, Tamarama, has been transformed by Tamsin Johnson, an interior designer.

Sydney’s most prolific and renowned tailor, Patrick Johnson, and his interior designer wife, Tamsin, have listed their super stylish Tamarama home with impressive ocean views.

Ray White TRG principal Gavin Rubinstein has a guide of $5.5m for the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with double garage at 7 Ashley St ahead of an August 18 auction.

“They’ve completely gutted it,” says Rubinstein.

Patrick Johnson’s PJohnson Tailors was established in Sydney in 2009 and now also has showrooms in Melbourne, New York and London.

And Tamsin Johnson Interiors has transformed numerous homes worldwide, including residences in Bondi Beach, Darling Point, Byron Bay, Toorak and New York along with South Yarra penthouses and Paris apartments.

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The deck has incredible ocean views …

… and so does the stunning pool, which was added during the recent renovation.

Naturally, the power couple have done a magnificent job and spared no expense on their own home — and a lucky purchaser stands to benefit.

CoreLogic data shows the Johnsons purchased the unrenovated home for $3.85m in May, 2016 and lodged a DA that November for a new veranda and decking, with a swimming pool and spa.

The remodelled home captures never-to-be-built-out views over Tamarama Beach and beyond.

The open-plan living and dining area, which is flooded with natural light, has high raked timber ceilings, wide oak flooring and a gas fireplace.

What a kitchen!

The house is just a short walk from Tamarama Beach.

The bespoke island kitchen features top-of-the-range European gas appliances and extensive custom-built cabinetry, a Venetian plaster benchspace and a large breakfast bar.

All four bedrooms have custom built-in wardrobes and quality Sisal carpet.

The deluxe master bedroom has a marble ensuite with dual Venetian plaster vanity and a frameless shower, while opening to a second deck and pool.

Other highlights are the ducted airconditioning, two designer marble bathrooms, wide oak floors, extensive storage and a lockup garage/home office plus extra off-street parking.

The house is located in a cul-de-sac with direct access to Tamarama Beac and the coastal walk.

The post Tailor Patrick Johnson and his interior designer wife Tamsin list super-stylish home in Tamarama appeared first on realestate.com.au.