Although common courtesy and proper planning have always been hallmarks of the showing process, here are seven etiquette tips agents need to remember when touring and preparing homes for showings today.
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Month: <span>July 2020</span>
Looking for a little clarity on this week’s news? Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner dives into Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey and what consumer confidence looks like right now.
The former Trentham Commercial Hotel at 51 High St, Trentham has sold.
A former Trentham hotel chock-full of oddities has been sold — and the buyer has foregone an offer to have their pick.
It comes as sales in the Daylesford region have tripled as Melburnians look to retreat from the big smoke, according to the agency behind the deal.
From a bumper car built in the ‘70s, to antique pharmacy display cabinets and a mechanised piano player rescued from a shooting gallery in Queensland, the old Commercial Hotel at 51 High Street has had some unusual guests in recent years.
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Despite the $1.523 million sale being on the high side of the property’s $1.45-$1.595 million asking price and owners Slaven and Jean Berglez offering to throw in some items, a lot of their collection is still up for grabs.
“The buyer has not asked for any of the items,” Ms Berglez said.
Slaven and Jean Berglez with some of the oddities they have collected. Picture: Alex Coppel
With a sea-change ahead of them, the pair are open to offers on many of the items including John, the mechanised piano player, and an old meat safe, via their Wooden Duck page on Facebook — though they are pulling a few items from the sales list.
“Slaven wants to keep the telephone box,” she added.
Photos throughout the hotel show the extent of the Berglez’s collection.
The pair said they would miss all the great stories locals used to share with them about the hotel and the town’s past, but said they intended to extend happy hour at their next residence to compensate.
In addition to enjoying stories from the locals, the new owner plans to turn the local landmark into a sprawling family home, according to Belle Property Hocking Stuart’s Will Walton.
The main street view from the hotel’s upstairs balcony is one of the best in town.
“We believe it will be a family home,” Mr Walton said.
“They are originally from Melbourne, but had been living locally and I understand they love the building.”
He said the buyers had emerged with immediate interest for the former hotel and made an offer well above those being discussed by three other parties.
Even the one-time hotel’s kitchen features a range of unusual items.
Mr Walton said the hotel’s sale had been the first in a surge in sales for the region.
“Normally we do 8-10 sales a month,” Mr Walton said.
“We expect to get to 24 this month — and that’s almost all Melbourne buyers.”
He said feedback from buyers had revealed a mix of thinking, from wanting to put the city’s higher exposure to COVID-19 behind them to appreciating the benefits of country life in anticipation of working more from home in the future.
The hotel also retains many period details including decorative ceilings.
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The post Trentham Commercial Hotel: Old pub sold, oddities remain for sale appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Celebrity stylist Joh Bailey has sold his Bowral property.
Wide Acre, the Southern Highlands retreat of the celebrity hair stylist Joh Bailey and his professional equestrian partner Michael Christie, has found its next owner in just five days.
The 12ha High Range property attracted a bidding war between prospective buyers after the Belle Property Bowral listing agent Di Dixon held 20 inspections in just four days.
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The property was extremely popular.
It sold for around $3.5 million.
“The phones were running hot from the second the property was listed,” Dixon said.
“I fielded over 140 email and phone call inquires, some as far flung as Singapore.”
Dixon apparently secured around $3.5 million.
Bailey, who opened a salon in Bowral back in 2015, said the quick sale wasn’t foreseen.
“I was so thrilled with the five-day turnaround on the property,” Bailey told me.
“I really didn’t expect it in this climate.”
Bailey was thrilled with the sale. Picture: John Appleyard
It was bought by Bailey and his partner in 2016.
Dixon sold the property to Bailey four years ago.
“It was perfect for their horses and their lifestyle,” Dixon said, but now the couple were trading up for more space for themselves and for their 20 horses.
They bought it for $2.05 million in 2016 having previously had an estate at The Oaks. The couple renovated every aspect at Wide Acre, with even the horses kept in designer digs.
It’s easy to see why it was so popular.
They added a five box stable barn, six paddocks and a round yard.
They had planned to get married at the property in mid-March, however had to cancel due to the announcement of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.
The post Celebrity hair stylist Joh Bailey sells Bowral retreat in five days appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Model Casey James has bought in Bondi. Picture: Instagram caseyjamess_
“Winter swims are my favourite,” bikini model Casey James advised her 216,000 Instagram followers during the week.
Some 36,000 quickly liked the social media posting which came with a selfie set on Mona Vale beach during what’s seemingly been an unseasonably sunny July.
But it looks like the 22-year-old northern beaches loving model will soon be hitting Bondi Beach a bit more as she has splashed out on her first home.
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The unit has 65sqm of space.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Casey James (@caseyjamess_) on Jul 20, 2020 at 4:14am PDT
The model, who is with the Chic Management agency with fashion shoots for Lorna James and Cotton On, spent $1.025 million on an two-bedroom, one-bathroom Art Deco apartment.
Located just around the corner from Seven Ways’ newly rejuvenated boutique retail precinct, the unit is on the top floor of a 1930s block of eight.
The 65sqm apartment comes with high ornate ceilings, decorative joinery and polished floorboards, with a sunny window seat. It comes with luxurious bathroom with Kaldewei bath amid honed marble hexagon mosaic tiles.
It is in a block of eight.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Casey James (@caseyjamess_) on Jul 19, 2020 at 2:08am PDT
It last traded at $925,000 in 2015, reflecting just an ordinary 2 per cent annual appreciation rate achieved through the Phillips Pantzer Donnelley agency.
Bondi Beach currently has 42 properties for sale, and 226 properties for rent, as the Airbnb COVID-19 crisis is still creating income distress for some landlords.
It was 277 rental properties available in early April, and 337 by late April.
Based on a moving five years of sales, Bondi Beach had a bullish compound price growth in of 7.9 per cent for units, according to realestate.com.au in late March. That is down to 6.5 per cent.
It last sold for $925,000 in 2015.
Bright interiors.
The median two bedroom price sits at $1,215,000. Some 160 units sold last year, which was down on 2018 when 170 units sold. The busiest years of 2012 to 2014 saw turnover just short of 300 sales.
It appears the Avalon-based James bought especially well, and at under vendor expectations, as she had a smart property adviser guide her through the recent post-auction negotiations. Her boyfriend is Warren Ginsberg, the Ray White Double Bay associate director who is ranked the Ray White network’s second highest salesperson in NSW.
The post Model Casey James buys two-bedroom apartment in Bondi appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Now here’s a property where you can horse around to your heart’s content.
Set in Perth’s Swan Valley next to popular Mandoon Estate, this expansive equestrian estate in Caversham holds a prime riverfront position and is steeped in history, retaining the original equine veterinary clinic and horse operating theatre dating back to 1829.
Dubbed “Mandalay”, the 11ha property includes a veterinary clinic lease area that was inspired by the local vet, Sid Richards, who was the original owner of the estate.
The stone from the original homestead has been preserved in the contemporary home. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Selling agent Kelly Jones, from Jones and Co Property, said the old stable block, operating theatre and stone from the original 1800s homestead had been preserved.
“The original house was built around 1829 and the original stone from that house has been retained and a large plaque has been built commemorating the original building,” Ms Jones said.
“It’s a fairly modern architecturally designed home now, but the original stonework from the first home has been preserved in order to showcase the level of history.”
Constructed in 2002, the contemporary five-bedroom, three-bathroom residence spans 364sqm of living space, as well as 25sqm of terracing.
Historical equestrian home
Tucked away in a private riverfront setting, the home is a true haven. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The stone from the original homestead has been preserved in the contemporary home. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The modern home includes character from the past. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The stunning cathedral-style ceilings give the home a sense of grandeur. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Large windows create an even bigger sense of space in the home. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The wood-fire oven is standout in the entertainer’s dream kitchen. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
It includes multiple living areas, striking cathedral-style ceilings, ducted and zoned reverse-cycle air-conditioning, a security alarm, audio intercom system and feature lighting.
Entertainers will delight in a second kitchen with an ice machine, two Vintec drinks fridges, a Luus barbecue and a wood-fired pizza oven, as well as a 25m solar-heated swimming pool.
In addition to the main house, there is a two-bedroom unit with external laundry, a gym, study nook and an open-plan living/meals area.
There are also four olive trees, believed to be almost 200-years-old, and two rural water licences on the property.
Data shows the property last sold for $4 million in 2015. Ms Jones is taking offers from $5 million.
The post Equestrian property in Swan Valley a historical haven appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Artist and designer Ian Blokkeerus with his colourful and varied collection. Picture: Rob Leeson
One of Melbourne’s most exclusive exhibitions is closing its doors for the final time.
After being transformed into a private art gallery by vendor Ian Blokkeerus, 2 Gladhall Ave, Thornbury, has sold to a local woman for $1.45 million.
The property, which sold on July 10, had a price guide of $1.35-$1.45 million.
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Artist and designer Ian Blokkeerus decided he wanted to live in an art gallery, so he transformed the property. Picture: Rob Leeson
Wall space is at a premium in the hallway. Picture: Rob Leeson
Nelson Alexander Northcote agent Tom Alexiadis said an acceptable offer came in ahead of the scheduled auction.
“(Ian) had the right offer and he liked the buyer, she’s a really nice person,” Mr Alexiadis said.
“She loved the space, I think it was the space that got her — having the garage and studio. She’s got an enviro(nmental) background so she’s going to set up a garden.”
Artist and designer Ian Blokkeerus will auction off much of his collection. Picture: Rob Leeson
A nativity scene in Mr Blokkeerus’ favourite room. Picture: Rob Leeson
A vintage petrol bowser and formal skeleton in a dining space.
Everything was up for grabs, but the buyer did not elect to purchase any of the decor.
The house sale was just the first of many for Mr Blokkeerus, who plans to auction off most of his art installations as he opts for a “minimalist” look at his next home.
Among the art works on display at his Thornbury home were a huge “monster” he created out of recycled materials in the backyard, statues playing out a nativity scene in the bedroom (his favourite room) and a pair of kissing dragons.
The kaleidoscopic studio space features vintage toys.
More of the collection on display.
The local buyer plans to expand the garden.
There’s also a vintage petrol bowser and jukebox, paintings adorning every wall and a large collection of vintage toys.
Mr Blokkeerus said the 4.5m-tall monster he created in the backyard was “well known around the area”.
“I like to surround myself with interesting and kooky stuff,” the artist and designer said.
A palm tree lampshade brings the tropics inside.
Christmas in July.
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The post Thornbury: Designer sells art gallery house before auction appeared first on realestate.com.au.
The Nairne property at 8 Pulleine Road is going to auction next month. Pic: realestate.com.au
An Adelaide Hills character cottage is offering househunters the chance to own one of the oldest inhabited homes in Nairne.
The two-storey state heritage listed house at 8 Pulleine Road, affectionately known as Elmdale, was built in circa 1851 and extended in the late 1930s.
While the exact date of its construction is unknown, documents from the state heritage department say it is “the oldest house in Nairne still being lived in”.
It was presumed to be built when George Mills purchased the property in August 1851.
Harcourts Adelaide Hills agent Sharon Reeves is selling the 0.77ha estate, which she described as “quite special”.
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State heritage documents say it is the oldest house in Nairne. Pic: realestate.com.au
It was built in circa 1851 and extended in the late 1930s. Pic: realestate.com.au
She said it offered the perfect opportunity for a new owner to restore it to its former glory.
“The two inspections (so far) have been very positive, especially for those looking for a project,” she said.
“The young couples looking at this style of property, they’re looking for a place to do up.”
The two-bedroom house includes two buildings that are linked by a glass-roofed conservatory.
A bedroom, study, lounge room and dining area are at the front of the house, while a kitchen, laundry, bathroom and wet room are at the back.
Upstairs is dedicated to a second bedroom with a dressing room and balcony.
The property also includes several outbuildings and plenty of space for horses.
The glass-roofed conservatory links two buildings. Pic: realestate.com.au
Its character has been retained over the years. Pic: realestate.com.au
The bathroom was part of the extension. Pic: realestate.com.au
“It’s quite unique because it’s got existing use rights for three horses,” Ms Reeves said.
“It’s normally one horse per seven acres (in that zone).”
Ms Reeves said the property was in an enviable location because it was close to the Nairne township and dirt tracks ideal for horse riding.
“It’s on the cusp of a residential and rural zone,” she said.
The property will go to auction on August 1 at noon.
The post One of the oldest inhabited houses in Adelaide Hills township of Nairne going to auction appeared first on realestate.com.au.
A Florida Panhandle mansion that looks like it came straight from the coast of Santorini is on the market for nearly $15 million.
According to rental management platform Rented Inc., the Florida Panhandle is the best location for investors to purchase vacation homes.