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IT looks like a property from hit movie Gone with the Wind but this sprawling estate is actually on the hilltops of Tallai on the Gold Coast.

Annarbor, at 529 The Panorama, is on the market for the first time since it was built and is attracting plenty of interest.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

Vendor Adam Felton’s parents – the late Neil and Ann Felton – paid a “couple of hundred thousand dollars” for the block in 1985 when The Panorama was just a dirt track.

The pair, after extensively travelling the world with Ann’s work as a top fashion model, wanted to retire on the Gold Coast and were immediately sold on the spectacular city view from Tallai.

“My dad designed the house. He’s not an architect but he used technical drawing he learnt from the army,” Adam Felton said.

“He basically took inspiration from New England, Europe and the Mediterranean.

“They took what they loved from each place and tried to capture that in the house.”

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

The estate, name Annarbor, is a combination of both Ann Felton’s name and an arbor.

“Arbor is from the trees – they have planted a large number of trees on the property and of course Ann, it’s a tribute to my mum,” Mr Felton said.

The grand brick manor is on a sprawling 6.15ha property with 180 degree views across the Coast.

A floor to ceiling fireplace, banquet-sized dining room, tennis court and pool with a diving board are among its features while pillars, bay windows and a sweeping staircase add to the classic elegance of the five-bedroom house.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

Mr Felton, who was 15 when his family moved in, had many fond memories.

“I remember being with my brothers in the pool, running the mountains and falling asleep and waking up to the view,” he said.

“The view is like when you fly into the airport on a plane and you’ve got the city underneath you.”

Mr Felton has been living in the house with his family – wife Annika and children Linnea, 14, and Freya, 12 – since he returned from Sweden in January to care for his dad.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

He said the sale would be bittersweet for the family.

“It’s a mixture of emotions,” he said. “I know how much my parents put into this place and we have lots of memories here.”

Amir Prestige agent Colleen Brunt, who is marketing the property with colleague Nick Zhang through an expressions of interest campaign, said it was a “one-of-a-kind showplace”.

“We are getting really good interest from prospective Brisbane, Gold Coast, interstate and international buyers,” Ms Brunt said.

The post Grand Gold Coast estate attracting international interest appeared first on realestate.com.au.

9 Richmond Road, Westbourne Park. Supplied by Ouwens Casserly Real Estate

Looking for your dream home but finding it hard to find something both unique and good for the environment? Call off the search. This Westbourne Park home ticks all of these boxes, and has so much more going for it.

Michelle Kewell and Megan Roodenrys bought the home in 2000 and have since renovated and extended it, taking it from a small dark home to the breathtaking open-plan entertainer it is today.

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“We bought it because the block had potential and I think we’ve realised the potential now,” Ms Kewell says. “My partner Megan Roodenrys is excellent with aesthetics, and an artist, and she worked with Troppo architects to transform it under her eye. She helped design that back room and the gardens, too. It’s a lovely home and a work of art, and it’s time to move on.”

9 Richmond Road, Westbourne Park. Supplied by Ouwens Casserly Real Estate

The couple have a history of taking tired spaces and transforming them, starting businesses like the Flinders St Project and The Pantry on Eggmont, before selling them and moving on to repeat the process again somewhere else. They simply applied the same process to this home, resulting in a home that just works.

9 Richmond Road, Westbourne Park. Supplied by Ouwens Casserly Real Estate

“We just love making things beautiful and comfortable and we travel a lot and we’re always bringing home ideas for projects,” Ms Kewell says. “This home was really inspired by natural materials and we wanted to make it north facing to embrace the sun and make it feel like you’re outside and inside at the same time.

9 Richmond Road, Westbourne Park. Supplied by Ouwens Casserly Real Estate

“It’s been lovely – we’ve raised kids here and we walked them around to the primary school and had other people’s kids around after school all the time, so it’s a very friendly, inviting place. We’ve had weddings here, New Years parties and we’ve been part of the Open Gardens scheme and we’ve also opened our house for Sustainable House Day.

9 Richmond Road, Westbourne Park. Supplied by Ouwens Casserly Real Estate

“We’ve always invited people in and we’ve enjoyed sharing it. Because we’ve set up three commercial kitchens prior, we had an eye for commercial functions, so we’ve had multiple chefs working in here doing pastries and cooking and it all works and all flows. There are two ovens here and a butler’s pantry so you can have plenty of people working in here prepping multiple dishes and it functions really well.”

9 Richmond Road, Westbourne Park. Supplied by Ouwens Casserly Real Estate

The front of the home has been set up as luxe Airbnb accommodation Two Birds Bungalow and features two bedrooms, a lounge, a kitchen and meals area – easily converted to a bedroom – and a spacious bathroom. A hallway door leads to the main home which features the master suite with a dressing room, a study, a bathroom and large laundry and a generous open-plan kitchen, dining and living area overlooking the yard. Numerous decks surround the home, and the property also has a large shed and a separate studio or guest bedroom.

9 Richmond Road, Westbourne Park. Supplied by Ouwens Casserly Real Estate

“We looked at what usable space we needed and no more, because you’ve got to consider the environment and your energy needs,” Ms Kewell says. “We’ve got this house on solar panels and because we’ve had the panels since 2010 we’re on a really good sell-back rate. We’ve also got 45,0000L of rainwater storage and all the materials we used are as good for the environment as possible. It’s important we reduce our reliance on the grid and the environment.”

With the couple having found their next project, it’s time to move on.

“Megan says, it’s like an artwork – you finish it, you’re happy with it and then you sell it to a new owner and move on to your next work,” Ms Kewell says. “Our three kids have all grown up and are young adults and are moving on. We’ve only got one left here now and it’s more than we need and it’s taken us 20 years, and now we’re finished and done it.”

9 Richmond Road, Westbourne Park. Supplied by Ouwens Casserly Real Estate

9 Richmond Rd, Westbourne Park

$1.45 million

Agent: Ouwens Casserly Real Estate, Sharon Gray 0418 835 322.

Land size: 1253sqm.

Auction: Saturday, August 1 at 10.30am.

The post Elegance and practicality at one with its surrounds appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Aussie expat Sandy McFadden at the unit she has just bought in New Farm after returning from the United States. Picture: Annette Dew.

QUEENSLAND’S reputation as a safe haven from COVID-19 and global unrest is fuelling a spike in inquiries for property from overseas expats.

International searches for buying property on Realestate.com.au has jumped 22 per cent year-on-year, while local agents are reporting there is strong interest from Queensland expats, especially from Hong Kong.

One Gold Coast real estate agent said the combination of COVID-19 and political instability had been a “call to come home” for many overseas expats.

“They’re mainly long-term residents who have witnessed a lot of change and unease, and just want to come back to Queensland,” sad John Pirie, sales manager at Mantra Realty Broadbeach.

An aerial view of the Surfers Paradise skyline on a clear day in Queensland, Australia.

“There is also zn element of these expats seeing value in the properties available on the Gold Coast. For example, I’m selling high-end units for about $10,000 a square metre at the moment and I’ve got a client in Hong Kong who told me she had paid $60,000 a square metre.”

Mr Pirie said the number of properties being sold “sight unseen” had also increased.

“Buyers are very educated now, and measures such as online videos allow them to do virtual inspections from the safety of their own homes, rather than travel to see them first-hand,” he said.

“While most of my business is in south-east Asia, I’ve been contacted by expats in the US who want to come home because they see Queensland as a safe destination.”

Brisbane CBD featuring the Queen’s Wharf development under construction. Picture: Richard Walker.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said there was strong anecdotal evidence many expats were re-evaluating their circumstances due to the coronavirus, and the low Australian dollar and record low interest rates proved an attractive value proposition.

“It makes sense given how we’ve been impacted by COVID-19, it’s pretty light on,” Ms Conisbee said.

“That means our economic recovery will be quicker. Also, the dollar is fairly weak, which makes Australian property more attractive.”

Ms Conisbee said the majority of people searching for property in Queensland were based in New Zealand, the UK, the US and Hong Kong.

REA Group chief economist Nerida Conisbee.

She said beach locations Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast and Noosa on the Sunshine Coast were the most in-demand among overseas buyers.

“Brisbane doesn’t see a lot of overseas searches,” Ms Conisbee said. “When people think of Queensland, they think of the beaches.”

Tom Offermann, principal of Tom Offermann Real Estate, who sells prestige property in Noosa, said about 5 per cent of his buyers were from overseas, mostly Asian expats.

“While the percentage is low, expat buyers typically have larger budgets and have made quite an impact to the value of prestige property,” Mr Offermann said.

“Recent events in Hong Kong are likely to drive more expats to invest back home.”

An aerial photo of Noosa’s Main Beach.

Place Estate Agents managing director Sarah Hackett said a growing number of Hong Kong buyers were looking to diversify their portfolios and secure a home now for when they eventually returned to Brisbane.

“I’m excited about (Brisbane’s) top-end market and what is to come,” Mrs Hackett said.

“We are currently working with a number of buyer’s agents in Hong Kong to help secure opportunities.”

Josh Cross of LJ Hooker Brisbane City Residential said he had been inundated with inquiries from expats since COVID-19 struck.

Mr Cross said he had shown a number of Hong Kong expats through some of his high-end rentals, with many prepared to pay up to $1500 a week for an apartment.

“I’m also actively finding a home for a couple and their daughter returning from New York who can’t wait to get home,” Mr Cross said.

“COVID and political unrest are making them eager to come back. School catchments are important to them and I find they’re looking towards Bowen Hills, Spring Hill, West End.

“Before COVID, it was all Melbourne buyers, which is still happening as well.

“I’ve spoken to probably 20 people in the last week from Melbourne saying; ‘We’re selling, we’re done, we’re moving to Queensland.”

His client Sandy McFadden has just bought a unit in New Farm after living in San Francisco on and off for more than 20 years.

The cafe scene at New Farm, where expats are looking to buy. Picture: Annette Dew.

Ms McFadden said she had been toying with the idea of investing in Brisbane and returning to the US in March, but decided to stay.

“I have to say I am very, very pleased to be here during this period because Brisbane’s an amazing city,” Ms McFadden said.

“My mother lives in Hervey Bay so I’ve been coming back and forth to Queensland for a very long time.

“Things started getting crazy in the San Francisco Bay area, both politically and environmentally, so I’m very glad I’m here.”

Ms McFadden said the only reason she could afford to buy a property in New Farm was because of the weak Australian dollar.

Her only challenge has been finding work in her field of architecture, engineering and construction.

QLD’S 10 MOST SEARCHED SUBURBS FOR PROPERTY BY OVERSEAS BUYERS

1. Brisbane City

2. Surfers Paradise

3. Noosa Heads

4. Noosa

5. Burleigh Heads

6. Mooloolaba

7. Broadbeach

8. Coolum Beach

9. Southport

10. New Farm

(Source: Realestate.com.au)

THE TOP COUNTRIES SEARCHING FOR PROPERTY IN QLD

1. New Zealand

2. United Kingdom

3. United States

4. Hong Kong/China

5. Canada

(Source: Realestate.com.au)

QLD’S 10 MOST SEARCHED DEVELOPMENTS BY OVERSEAS BUYERS

1. Queen’s Wharf Residences, Brisbane CBD

2. Brisbane 1 South Brisbane, South Brisbane

3. Lot 923 Astor Street, Newport

4. 21 Ironbark Ave, Park Ridge

5. Halo, South Brisbane

6. Magnoli Apartments, Palm Beach

7. 1/47 Lysaght Drive, Pimpama

8. 116 Brookbent Road, Pallara

9. Natura, Burleigh Heads

10. 14 Tranquillity Way, Palm View

(Source: Realestate.com.au)

The post Overseas expats buying in QLD to escape COVID-19, political unrest appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Clint Luna and his family have avoided large energy bill rises during COVID-19 because they have solar and battery power. Photo: Mark Cranitch.

Thousands of Australian households will face eye-watering energy bills this winter as a result of COVID-19.

Since the start of the pandemic, energy usage across the country has increased by 105 per cent, according to data from Natural Solar — Australia’s largest installer of solar panels and batteries.

Average daily energy consumption has skyrocketed to 33.9kWh, compared with 16.5kWh at the same time last year.

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Working from home and COVID-19 lockdowns have caused energy bills to skyrocket.

As a result household energy bills for the past quarter could be more than double, with the average household paying $800, up from $406.75.

Those households with higher than average power usage can expect bills of up to $1800 a quarter.

Natural Solar chief executive Chris Williams said during COVID-19 Australians got a taste for what it was like to work and study from home, which had created a generational shift in where, how and why we use electricity.

“We envisage the trend for higher usage is going to continue, and while it may be at a lesser rate than during COVID-19, even a 30 or 40 per cent rise will have a significant impact on household bills,” Mr Williams said.

While the majority of Australian families will be hit hard by the increases, he said there were pockets of homeowners set to make it through the ‘COVID Quarter’ unscathed.

Natural Solar’s Chris Williams with the SonnenBatterie that can save residents $2000 a year in electricity bills.

Homeowners using solar power, combined with batteries to store unused power, have less reliance on the grid and greater chance of reducing or eliminating their electricity bills.

For Clint and Christina Luna, who own a four-bedroom family home and have three children aged six, four and two, installing solar panels and a battery has allowed them not only to eliminate their energy bills but to earn money back.

Mr Luna, who has two electric cars, said that with the cost of solar and battery power falling over the years, he realised that upgrading to a 40kWh solar system would allow him to run his house and the two cars at minimal to no cost.

“My post COVID-19 energy bill was $200 in credit, so I actually made money back,” he said.

“Solar is a bit of a no-brainer. It will give you payback in about three to four years.

Clint Luna also has two electric cars. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Where else can you get a 70 per cent return on your money? If you add battery power to that, the payback is a little bit longer, but it’s still going to pay for itself in about five or six years.”

Mr Luna, who runs an international business from his home office, said having alternative energy sources had other benefits beyond monetary savings, including the security of uninterrupted power.

“If the area has a blackout, for instance, we still have power. We can just carry on as normal, which is really important, especially in these times when more people are working from home and relying on having power, no matter what.

“Anyone who has the roof space and doesn’t have solar is pretty crazy.

“I don’t have to worry about fluctuations in anything, not power prices, nor energy bills, nothing.”

Solar panels help the Luna family charge their two Tesla cars as well as their household energy needs. Photo: Mark Cranitch.

With the increased frequency of natural disasters — such as the recent bushfires and floods, followed by the coronavirus pandemic — Mr Williams said that there has been a general shift in people wanting self-sufficiency when it comes to powering their homes.

He said improvements in technology had made power sources such as solar and battery more affordable, with households saving money almost immediately.

“If the use of solar power reduces energy bills by even 10 per cent and bills rise by 3 or 4 per cent per annum, it makes absolute sense,” he said.

Meanwhile, for those who have been affected by COVID-19, some energy companies are trying to help customers through the period of “bill shock”.

Origin senior external affairs manager Paul Duboudin said the energy company would be providing tailored support, including payment extensions, payment plans or referrals, for those customers affected by COVID-19.

“We have also paused all late payment fees and are not disconnecting or default listing any customers in financial distress until at least July 31,” he said.

A Sonnen home energy battery management system is one way you can reduce your energy bills.

10 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILLS

1. Turn appliances off at the power point when they are not in use.

2. Keep your air conditioner or heating at a stable temperature; in summer keep it above 18 degrees, and below 24 degrees in winter.

3. Turn off unnecessary lighting during the day or invest in energy-efficient bulbs.

4. Use your clothes drier sparingly, it uses a lot of energy.

5. Be mindful of the energy star rating when buying appliances. Paying more for an energy-efficient appliance will make you a more significant gain over time.

6. Only use the washing machine when you have a full load.

7. Consider portable solar lighting in your outdoor areas.

8. Monitor your electricity usage. There are cost-effective tools you can buy that can show your consumption.

9. Shop around for the best possible energy deal.

10. If you can afford it, invest in solar panels and a battery storage system; it could save you up to $2000 a year.

Source: Natural Solar

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The post Australian energy bills set to double as a result of COVID-19 pandemic appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Tasmania’s agent of the year Leigh Jordan and RateMyAgent sales executive Natasha Moss.

WHILE the Tassie market — and every market — has had some ups and downs in 2020, an award-winning agent from Devonport sees a bright future for the Apple Isle.

Devonport’s One Agency Collins senior sales consultant Leigh Jordan said the COVID-related downturns for sales volume could be just a blip on the market’s radar.

Leigh is positive about the Tassie property market’s future.

“I think our market will continue to flourish and perform strongly,” he said. “Prices will hold and I think once our borders open we will see a flood of interstate buyers coming down here to live.”

Tasmania’s RateMyAgent agent of the year Leigh Jordan.

Leigh has been a leader in the property market for decades and a winner of Real Estate Business and Real Estate Institute of Tasmania awards.

This year he was named Tasmania’s Agent of the Year at a national showcase, the RateMyAgent Agent of the Year Awards.

Leigh took home the top gong for the Apple Isle at the fifth annual RateMyAgent Agent of the Year Awards held at Melbourne’s Metropolis Southbank.

He also ranked 12th nationally.

Leigh said he was “truly humbled” and excited to win the award.

He said the key to success was hard work and dedication.

“It is important to listen carefully to people’s needs and wants,” he said.

“Constant feedback and communication with clients is paramount.

“I absolutely love what I do and look forward to going to work every day to help buyers and sellers achieve their dreams.”

RateMyAgent chief executive Mark Armstrong.

At the state level, agents Harry Coomer of Charlotte Peterswald for Property, and Petrusma Property’s Jake Towns, Sam Towns and Teagan Rainbird rounded out Tassie’s top five.

Charlotte Peterswald for Property was the number one agency followed by Petrusma Property’s Hobart/Sandy Bay, Howrah and Lindisfarne offices, alongside One Agency Collins in fifth.

Ray White Hobart won the Property Management Agency of the Year award for Tasmania.

RateMyAgent chief executive and co-founder Mark Armstrong said the awards acknowledge agents like Leigh who go above and beyond for homeowners and landlords.

“With performance-based reviews as a qualifier, receiving an Agent of the Year Award means to have received the highest satisfaction rating across the country — and this is something our winners should be tremendously proud of achieving,” he said.

The full list of winners can be viewed at ratemyagent.com.au

The post When boarders open: A flood of interstate buyers appeared first on realestate.com.au.

38 Eldernell Terrace, Hamilton

Brayden Larkin of Zephr Industries has designed and built a lot of houses.

Yet Blanco, a three-storey monolith cascading down the side of Hamilton Hill, was always going to be extra special, because it was going to be his family home.

The hiuse’s cladding is made from a special Scandinavian wood that gives a weathered look.

“I designed and built Blanco to how I really wanted to have a house,” Brayden said.

“It is a big suspended concrete slab construction. I wanted the structure to appear like it was almost levitating off the side of the hill. I also wanted it to encapsulate the views from each of the three levels.”

The use of concrete was always going to create a raw industrial feel, but by introducing soft tones, Brayden has managed to turn Blanco into a warm, family home for himself, wife Jess and their two-year-old son.

The house has more than 900 sq m of covered living space.

“I always wanted to do like a Palm Springs kind of home, like you would see in California but then I also liked the idea of having a floating pool and fire pit, like you would see in a Bel Air mansion, so I tried to blend the two to create something different.”

What is evident is the time and effort that has been put into the design of the five-bedroom home covering more than 900 sq m under roof, which for a minimalist structure has some outstanding details.

The use of wood brings a softness to the concrete structure.

Take the internal staircase that ascends from the middle, entry level of the house to the master bedroom retreat above. Built with a concrete stringer down the centre, the timber treads extend from either side secured by an invisible metal plate and finished with a metal balustrade.

“I haven’t seen stairs like that before, where everything is seamless,” he said.

Also on this level is a limestone wall that runs the length of the house.

These intricate touches extend outside to the home’s facade, which is clad in a special timber sourced from the Netherlands that has been kiln dried to extract all the water.

The suspended pool costed $250,000 to build.

“This gives the wood a slightly weathered look that you would normally only ever achieve with time,” he said.

Around the back of the house, the pool features lighting that emulates a starry night sky.

The lights, Brayden tells me, are the same ones used in a Rolls-Royce car.

The limestone wall and concrete stringer staircase.

“The pool cost about $250,000 to build because you have 60 to 70 tonnes of water floating in the air above Hamilton Hill, so we had to retain the structure and tie it back into the house to make it look seamless. A lot of work goes into it. I just hope that whoever buys the house can see and appreciate the level of those details,” he says.

With Hamilton a predominantly heritage suburb characterised by listed buildings, Brayden said he snapped up the last two remaining blocks of land about two years ago. Blanco and Noir, a five-storey show-stopping home Brayden is building a few doors down, will probably be among the last two new homes to be built on the hill.

The house has views of the city from every level.

For the buyer of this multigenerational home, one thing is certain — they will not have to move again for some time.

“I have young children so I had to build a house that would suit that, but I’ve also designed it to be a house that will grow with any family. We have the pool, two living areas and a bit of grass on one level and bedrooms on all three, so you can use as much or as little of the space as you need.

Polished timber wood floors feature throughout.

“The fact that all three levels are serviced by a lift means you can easily live here until you are 80 or beyond. It’s also super-low maintenance. All the gardens are irrigated with desert-style plants so you literally don’t have to do anything but mow the grass.”

While Brayden has thoroughly enjoyed his time at Blanco, he says, as a designer, the itch to move on and build something new never fades.

Now, with a new baby on the way, he says the time has come for the family to move closer to his parents-in law in Newport where Brayden will design and build what he is adamant will be their forever home.

The building is an architchectural feat.

The post Functional family home has real wow factor appeared first on realestate.com.au.

New listing – 36 Mandolong Rd, Mosman.

COVID-19 has brought plenty of changes to the way real estate agents conduct their auctions and open homes.

Keeping track of who comes through the door, making sure they maintain correct social distancing and ensuring surfaces are regularly checked can make managing large numbers a logistic challenge.

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Adam Vernon and his team at Vernon Partners got a first hand experience on the weekend, when they opened the front door of 36 Mandolong Rd, Mosman.

It is the first time the property has been offered for sale in 54 years. The owner is downsizing, and her home, which has been immaculately maintained in original condition, is set for an August 1 auction.

“It’s like a time capsule there, it really is,” he said.

The 514sqm property has a north to rear aspect and is located just footsteps from Balmoral Beach.

36 Mandolong Rd, Mosman.

There is a studio in the back yard.

The home itself has high coffered ceilings, frosted glass windows and decorative finishes, as well as formal and casual living spaces, and a rear studio or home office. There is driveway parking for up to two cars.

With a $3.6 million auction guide, a prime location and endless potential, Mr Vernon was expecting a big turnout at the open house. And he wasn’t disappointed.

Some 50 people turned up, patiently waiting their turn to go through the home. Staff were positioned at the entry and exit as well as inside the house.

The original kitchen.

Formal lounge.

The inspection took about double the usual time, but Mr Vernon said he had allowed for that, and the whole operation went off without a hitch. Six contracts were issued and he already has strong interest.

Time warp bedroom.

The location.

The majority of lookers were young families looking to upsize and capitalise on the location.

“I think the buyers out there are genuinely ready to buy,” Mr Vernon said.

“The market seems really strong over the last three or four weeks – there’s really a lot of buyers out there looking. I think COVID has changed the way people are thinking about how they want to live and they are wanting to make changes.”

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The post Prime Mosman property comes to market for first time in 54 years appeared first on realestate.com.au.