Blog

Melbourne’s stage four COVID-19 restrictions have significantly changed the way the real estate sector can operate.

Notably, home inspections and auctions can only be carried out online, and the construction industry has been scaled back in the effort to curb infections.

Here’s a rundown of what the Victorian Government says market participants can and can’t do during the hard lockdown, which is due to last until September 13.

RELATED: Melbourne stage four: Video tours keep property market moving

Melbourne stage four: Should you buy property during lockdown?

Melbourne stage four: Real estate industry scores ‘small wins’

Can I sell my home? And should I?

You can put your house on the market for private sale or auction, but all inspections and auctions must be carried out remotely.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Leah Calnan said the ban on physical inspections would prompt many would-be buyers to pause their searches as “purchasers don’t buy properties from virtual tours”, making it a challenging time to list.

Adding to the difficulty is the fact photographers, videographers and stylists cannot attend homes to prepare a listing. Real estate agents are also not allowed to visit properties to film inspections, leaving the vendor as the only option to virtually guide buyers through their home.

Searches for Victorian residences for sale on realestate.com.au plunged 13.3 per cent in the first week of stage four restrictions. This was the state’s largest weekly decline this year.

REA Group’s Cameron Kusher expected search activity to “start to rebound as COVID-19 cases come under control and the lockdown period comes to an end”.

Open houses are banned in Victoria under current restrictions.

Can I buy a home? And should I?

Property purchases can still take place. But would-be buyers can only view homes virtually.

Real Estate Buyers Agents Association president Cate Bakos said buyers who had already physically inspected properties prior to lockdown could safely proceed with purchases, noting they may even “get a good deal”. But she advised against buying a property without inspecting it in person, as while a home “might look good in the video and photographs, (it) can feel very different in the flesh”.

Budding buyers should use the lockdown period to obtain loan pre-approval, research their target suburbs and form relationships with real estate agents, Ms Bakos said.

Buyers can only inspect properties virtually in Melbourne under stage four.

Can I settle on a sale?

Yes, if you’ve already committed to settling during the stage four lockdown period, you can proceed. Services relating to a property settlement — including property valuations, pest and building inspections, pre-settlement inspections, and contact-free key collection — have been approved as permitted activities.

Can I end a lease and start a new one?

Yes, Ms Calnan said services relating to ending a lease and starting a new one were permitted, but the process must be carried out as efficiently as possible.

This meant property managers could go to their office, collect keys and other documents, and then attend the rental property. While there, they could carry out a final inspection for the outgoing tenancy, and then prepare for the next tenancy by filming a virtual inspection and installing a lockbox for contact-free key handover.

Ms Calnan said tenants could give 28 days’ notice and vacate within the lockdown period. Tenants ending a lease are permitted to use removalists, and also professional cleaners if required due to disability, impairment or their tenancy agreement.

Melburnians should only start a new lease if it would be unsafe not to, according to the government.

REIV President Leah Calnan. Picture: supplied

Can I move house?

Yes, if you’ve already arranged to move. But the 8pm-5am curfew hours still apply.

Members of your household can help you move. Friends and family who are not part of your household can only help you move if you and those you live with are not physically able to because of age, health or disability reasons. You must stay at least 1.5m apart, wash your hands regularly, wear face coverings at all times and not share food or drink.

Removalists are allowed.

Where possible, the government is encouraging Melburnians to delay moving until stage four ends.

What is the situation in regional Victoria?
Regional Victoria, including Mitchell Shire, is under stage three restrictions. Auctions must be online.

Physical inspections of homes are allowed by appointment. Only the person inspecting the property and a real estate agent can be present. The resident must temporarily leave their home for one of the reasons permitted under the stay-at-home directions.

Physical inspections are still allowed by appointment in regional Victoria.

Can Melburnians inspect properties in regional Victoria
?

No, metropolitan Melbourne residents cannot travel to areas under stage three restrictions to inspect properties.

I can’t afford to pay my rent anymore, can I seek a rent reduction?

Yes, if you’re struggling financially due to COVID-19.

Tenants Victoria chief executive Jennifer Beveridge advised tenants in this situation to work out how much rent they could afford to pay and try to reach an agreement with their landlord or property manager. Tenants should not stop paying rent altogether, and should get any agreement in writing. They should then register their agreement with Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) to gain access to “support and protections”.

More than 17,500 rent reduction agreements were registered with CAV by July, at an average discount of $155 per week or 27 per cent, a Victorian parliamentary inquiry report showed.

Ms Beveridge said tenants who couldn’t strike a fair agreement should use CAV’s formal mediation process.

Rental increases are also banned in Victoria until September 29.

Tenants Victoria chief executive Jennifer Beveridge.

Can I be evicted from my rental?

A moratorium on residential and commercial evictions remains in place until September 29. Evictions are only permitted if a tenant is engaging in threatening behaviour or maliciously damaging a property, or if a landlord is selling the home or they or their family need to move into it. When this publication went to print, the Victorian Government was yet to confirm an extension to the moratorium. But Premier Daniel Andrews has said he would have more to say on this soon.

I am a landlord and my tenant has asked for a rent reduction, is there any support for me?

Landlords who reduce rents for tenants in coronavirus-related hardship are eligible for a 25 per cent discount on their land tax as part of a $420m Victorian Government package announced in April. Any remaining land tax can be deferred until March 2021.

An $80m rental assistance fund is also available for tenants who are still paying at least 30 per cent of their income towards rent following mediation with their landlord, and who have less than $5000 in savings. Assistance payments go directly to landlords.

Can I continue renovating my home?

If you are living at the property, the renovation needs to pause once it’s safe and urgent issues are resolved.

If you have moved out, the renovation is treated as small-scale construction, for which a maximum five people are allowed on site.

Can tradies come to my house?

Yes, but only for emergency repairs. Mr Andrews said earlier this month: “There’ll be no cleaners going to your house. There’ll be no one mowing your lawns. It’s not the time to be painting your house or having unnecessary, non-urgent work happen.” You must keep at least 1.5m distance between yourself and the tradesperson and wear face coverings.

Can my new home build continue?

Yes, this falls under small-scale construction for which a maximum of five people are allowed on site.

How will the stage four restrictions impact the residential market?

Property experts expect very few new listings and sales to occur during the stage four lockdown.

Earlier this month, CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless said low levels of activity — coupled with low interest rates, government support measures like JobKeeper and mortgage holidays — had so far insulated Melbourne from significant price falls, with home values shedding 3.5 per cent since March. But he warned this decline could deepen, with consumer sentiment diving and “urgent sales” becoming more likely.

But Ms Bakos reminded would-be buyers and sellers the restrictions were temporary: “(They) need to keep that in perspective and use this time wisely.”

Ms Calnan also noted many of the real estate sector directions were only in place until August 16, at which point they could be amended.

MORE: Clunes: Landmark Hillcrest House poised for town’s first $2m sale

Flinders ‘treehouse’ has private forest, luxury pool, spa and entertainment areas

Melbourne bridesmaid suburbs where you can save most on rent

samantha.landy@news.com.au

The post Melbourne stage four lockdown real estate questions answered appeared first on realestate.com.au.

HAS this Gold Coast mega mansion been built in the wrong suburb?

The Oxenford house is on the market at more than $3 million and will smash the suburb record if it sells for its asking price.

The property, at 9 Temple Island Circuit, is on a sprawling 1000sq m block overlooking Regatta Waters Lake but “oozes Sovereign Islands luxe on an unprecedented scale”.

9 Temple Island Circuit, Oxenford.

9 Temple Island Circuit, Oxenford from the street.

The vendors, who moved from up-market Sovereign Islands to the leafy suburb of Oxenford, enlisted a designer and builder who typically work on the Sovereign Islands.

Ray White Sovereign Islands agents Rhonda Gunn and Edin Kara are marketing the property and said they were blown away when they first stepped inside.

“When I first walked into it I was just stunned,” Ms Gunn said.

“The quality just jumps out at you right from the word go. It just oozes luxury.”

Inside the luxury abode at 9 Temple Island Circuit.

Entertain while overlooking the lake.

The vendors moved from Sovereign Islands at Paradise Point to Oxenford, west of the M1.

Among its standout features is a curved Venetian plaster wall, gourmet kitchen, resort-style pool, media room, parent’s retreat, three car garage and gym.

Mr Kara said the vendors loved the position on Temple Island Circuit so much they decided to make the move west.

CoreLogic records reveal they paid $600,000 for the block in 2017 before building their dream home.

The house features an open-plan design.

And a cinema room.

“They loved the lake and the fact the block faces northeast and is so peaceful and quiet,” Mr Kara said.

“They always used to run around the lake and so bought a block of land to build their dream home.”

While a sale of more than $3 million would be a record for the suburb, the agents are confident of finding a buyer.

Property records show the highest sale in Oxenford is $1.26 million 2017 for a house on Brittany Drive.

Oxenford’s median house price is $527,250 according to REA Group.

Style at every turn.

The luxurious kitchen.

The house overlooks the lake.

The post Pricey Oxenford house hits the market at more than $3 million appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Rugs from the Agra collection by Armadillo & Co bathes this living space curated by stylist and designer Sarah Ellison in a golden glow. Picture: Anson Smart

It’s the colour of love, compassion and obvious wealth. No wonder gold makes us feel good.

And at the moment, anything that puts us in a positive frame of mind deserves a second look.

Colour expert for Dulux Andrea Lucena-Orr says gold, which sits between yellow and brown on the colour spectrum, is an instant mood lifter.

“From a psychological perspective, it can give you a warm, happy feeling,” she says. “It’s a beautiful colour.”

Gold brings depth to living spaces. Styled by Bree Leech. Photographer: Lisa Cohen. Wall (rear) in Dulux Golden Sand, wall (front) in Apricot Fool

When most of us think about gold, we think of shiny, metallic surfaces, but take away the reflective gloss and it becomes a lot more interesting, says Andrea, because of the way it absorbs light and adds warmth.

“The beautiful thing about gold is that often it has complex undertones,” she says.

“We’re not talking about full-on gold as a metallic. It can have a mustard undertone or it can have a greenish or yellowish undertone, almost a tan colour.”

Gold plays well with others. Dulux design gold effect in Gold Vintage. Stylist Liberty Interiors

Colour expert for Porter’s Paints, Melanie Stevenson, says gold is a surprisingly versatile colour for interior spaces.

“It is super easy to work with, and it goes with so many other colours,” she says. “It sits well with pinks, greys, blues and greens — it works like a neutral.”

Andrea says the colours you pair it with will set the tone for the whole room.

“If it is a formal room, you can use gold with dark green, or white looks good if you want to spruce up the living room,” she says.

Gold has a cocooning effect in this bedroom. Porter’s Paints Capsule Collection in Sundance.

If you’re after a warm, inviting space, team gold with earthy colours like burnt orange, sage and rose, which will not contrast with it strongly but still allow the lustre of gold to shine.

Andrea says using gold is the perfect solution for drab, dark rooms that need a lift.

“I would never recommend painting a dark room white,” she says. “If you want to lift a room on the south side of your house, go with a warm colour in a mid tone. It takes away that bluish reference from being on that side of the house.”

She knows from experience the difference it can make.

“I once painted a guest room on the south side of our house gold,” says Andrea.

“It’s a great colour. The first time I went into that room after we painted it, I knew I had done the right thing.”

More: armadillo-co.com; dulux.com.au; porterspaints.com; sarahellison.com.au; libertyinteriors.com.au

The post Why gold is the best neutral colour to use in your home appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Brisbane’s most popular streets have been revealed by Realestate.com.au. Picture: Annette Dew.

One is home to multimillion-dollar mansions and a host of high-profile movers and shakers.

Another is a little-known street in an outer Brisbane suburb that rarely rates a mention when it comes to prestige property.

Yet both Sutherland Avenue in Ascot and Ramsay Road in Clear Mountain have been recognised as two of the most sought-after streets within 30 kilometres of the CBD among home hunters.

MORE: The Veronicas selling their hinterland hideaway

Susie O’Neill lists riverfront ‘wow’ home

How The Block’s Shelley Craft turned fibro to fabulous

This house at 41 Sutherland Ave, Ascot, is for sale.

Tracking online searches by potential buyers over the past three years, property portal Realestate.com.au has revealed Brisbane’s 20 most popular streets.

And while some are notable blue-ribbon winners, others may come as a surprise.

Realestate.com.au director of economic research Cameron Kusher said the geographic locations of Brisbane’s most popular streets were quite varied, suggesting home buyers were craving more than just a top location on the city’s doorstep.

This five-bedroom house at 13 Ramsay Rd, Clear Mountain, sold in May for $1.6m.

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

“Brisbane’s most sought-after street is in Clear Mountain; a palatial spot with large lots further away from the city centre,” Mr Kusher said.

Bridgeman Road in Bridgeman Downs, West Mount Cotton Road in Cornubia and Lisk Street in Pullenvale also made the cut.

This house at 61 Lisk St, Pullenvale, is for sale.

Two streets in the leafy suburb of Graceville, in Brisbane’s west, made the list — Molonga Terrace and Jaora Street.

Ann-Karyn Fraser of Place Estate Agents, who specialises in Brisbane’s western suburbs, said Molonga Tce was particularly popular with young families and many of its homes had a “presence” about them.

“It’s a nice wide street, off the Avenues, so it’s got some historical homes, and some that lead down to the river,” Ms Fraser said.

“In the afternoon, all the families walk with their dogs and kids and bikes and prams. It’s one of those streets where the kids all play with the neighbours.

This house at 41 Molonga Tce, Graceville, is for sale.

She said the street was also sought-after because it was within walking distance of shops and a train station, an in the Graceville State School catchment.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said demand for certain streets was usually driven by curiosity and aspiration to live in a dream home.

“There is a certain percentage of those searching, that are sticking beaking and want to check out certain homes and certain streets,” Ms Conisbee said.

“Often those streets in those suburbs are particularly nice, even for those affluent areas. They might have a much better view, nicer houses or something else desirable that tends to lead to higher levels of interest.

“Sometimes it might be that a super popular house in that street can lead to an incredible surge of activity.”

REA chief economist Nerida Conisbee.

Becker Place in Mount Ommaney, about 12km west of the CBD, could be considered a surprise sought-after suburb.

Local agent Adam Wishart of 4074 Property said there only 14 houses in the street, but they were all big homes on blocks over 1000 sqm.

“It’s got the best outlook,” Mr Wishart said.

“You can see the bay or out to the mountains, and the ones on the high side also have the Brisbane River out to Toowoomba, and beyond.

“It’s definitely a popular spot, so homes are tightly held on to. I have so many people wanting to get in there.”

This house at 8 Becker Place, Mount Ommaney, is for sale.

Mr Wishart, who is marketing a six-bedroom, four-bathroom home at 8 Becker Place, said houses in the street ranged in price from $1.4 million right up to $6 million.

He said interest was mainly from upsizers and business owners.

Ms Conisbee said affordability and ‘bang for your buck’ could also be a factor, which would explain why suburbs like Draper, Clear Mountain and Cornubia were in demand.

“In terms of Ramsay Road in Clear Mountain, that looks like there are some fantastic luxury homes there at a good price,” she said.

But potential buyers looking at these streets would likely be up against stiff competition and possibly pay a higher price than for houses in less popular streets in the same suburb, Ms Conisbee said.

This property at 911 Eatons Crossing Rd, Draper, is for sale. Eatons Crossing Road has been identified as one of Brisbane’s most popular streets.

She said it was not surprising that the most in-demand streets skewed towards luxury housing in premium suburbs, but the “best” streets were not always in the most expensive suburbs.

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

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

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

Dickson Terrace in the blue-ribbon suburb of Hamilton is an example of a street most people could only dream of living in.

The swanky street is home to the nine-bedroom mansion built by disgraced businessman Christopher Skase and bought by hotelier Steven Shoobridge for $10.13 million in 2018.

The mansion built by the late Christopher Skase at 36 Dickson Tce, Hamilton.

Sutherland Avenue in the affluent suburb of Ascot is also considered an aspirational addition to the list, with only 16 homes in the exclusive street and residents including a renowned fashion designer and real estate industry stalwarts.

A new sale price suburb record was set in the street earlier this year when ‘Windermere’ at 14 Sutherland Ave sold for $13.1 million.

FOLLOW QUEENSLAND REAL ESTATE ON FACEBOOK

This house at 14 Sutherland Ave, Ascot, sold for more than $13m earlier this year. Image: CoreLogic.

GREATER BRISBANE’S 20 MOST POPULAR STREETS

Street name Suburb

1. Ramsay Road Clear Mountain

2. Bridgeman Road Bridgeman Downs

3. West Mount Cotton Road Cornubia

4. Lisk Street Pullenvale

5. Becker Place Mount Ommaney

6. Banek Place Everton Park

7. Sutherland Avenue Ascot

8. Molonga Terrace Graceville

9. Jaora Street Graceville

10. Eatons Crossing Road Draper

11. Debussy Place Mount Ommaney

12. Dickson Terrace Hamilton

13. Leatherwood Place Brookfield

14. Mckie Crescent Cannon Hill

15. Ivy Street Indooroopilly

16. Park Road Milton

17. Dobson Road Clear Mountain

18. Gleeson Road Samsonvale

19. Royston Street Brookfield

20. Borva Street Dutton Park

(Source: Realestate.com.au, based on buyer searches since July 2017, within 30km of CBD)

The post Brisbane’s most popular streets: Find out if yours makes the cut appeared first on realestate.com.au.

SOME are home to mega mansions and sprawling acreage retreats while others are prime locations for units.

A few simply offer bargain buys for house hunters.

Tracking online searches by potential buyers over the past three years, property portal realestate.com.au has revealed the Gold Coast’s 20 most popular streets.

Do you live on one of the Gold Coast’s most popular streets?

MORE NEWS: Titans hooker plays it safe as Palm Beach pad goes to auction

New playground boasts an interactive bike track

And while Surfers Paradise’s Southern Cross Drive may be a given, it’s the lesser known streets like Cassia Drive at Coomera and Beau Pde at Bonogin that may come as a surprise.

Taking out the crown was the Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Waters – this particular section of the highway is scattered with apartments and holiday resorts.

Nerang Murwillumbah Rd at Numinbah Valley came in at second place and a quick search shows huge land holdings with multimillion-dollar price tags.

Currumbin Valley’s Brocks Rd – a haven for acreage retreats – rounded out the top three.

Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Waters was named the most popular street on the Gold Coast.

2325 Nerang Murwillumbah Rd, Numinbah Valley is on the market at $2 million. Nerang Murwillumbah Rd came second on the top 20 list of most popular streets on the Gold Coast.

A sprawling mansion at 84 Brocks Rd, Currumbin Valley sold for $2.85 million earlier this year. Brocks Rd rounded out the top three most popular streets.

“There is a certain percentage of those searching, that are sticky beaking and want to check out certain homes and certain streets,” REA Group chief economist Nerida Conisbee said.

“Like some of the other streets in the more affluent areas, people love looking at luxury homes in amazing locations.”

“Often those streets in those suburbs are particularly nice, even for those affluent areas.

“They might have a much better view, nicer houses or something else desirable that tends to lead to higher levels of interest.”

Nerida Conisbee, chief economist of REA Group, says people love browsing luxury homes in amazing locations.

Ms Conisbee said a “super popular house” in one particular street could also lead to a surge of activity.

“In some cases affordability can be a driving factor too,” she said.

“Some of these streets fall into that category.

“In other cases, the chance to own a big block of land is enticing buyers there.”

She said potential buyers in these streets would be up against more competition and pay a higher price.

The Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Waters was crowned king on a list of the Gold Coast’s 20 most popular streets.

Luke Henderson, director of John Henderson Professionals Mermaid Beach, said he was surprised to see the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Waters top the list.

Affordability and transportation could be attributed to its popularity, he said.

“We recently had an auction on a property on the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Heron Ave that had 10 registered bidders,” Mr Henderson said.

“It was one of the cheapest villas with a courtyard.

“Affordability was the driver and the fact it was close to the beach.”

The most sought-after streets are scattered throughout the Gold Coast and include two in Coomera.

2 Cassia Drive, Coomera sold for $405,000 on July 9, 2020.

LJ Hooker Coomera/ Ormeau agent Patrick Conley recently sold a four-bedroom house on Cassia Drive.

The Coomera street ranked No. 5 on the most sought-after streets.

He said despite being on a small 265sq m block, the house attracted multiple offers and sold within the first few weeks of his marketing campaign.

“It was due to its location and the fact it was a new build,” he said.

“It was close to schools including the new school development at Foxwell Rd and also close to Westfield Coomera and the rail.”

The Gold Coast’s 20 most popular streets

Source: realestate.com.au

1. Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Waters

2. Nerang Murwillumbah Rd, Numinbah Valley

3. Brocks Rd, Currumbin Valley

4. Shearwater Esp, Runaway Bay

5. Cassia Drive, Coomera

6. Barker St, Currumbin

7. Southern Cross Drive, Surfers Paradise

8. Camp Drive, Bonogin

9. Katta Ave, Currumbin

10. Gracemere Circuit North, Hope Island

11. Magnoli Cct, Palm Beach

12. 19th Ave, Palm Beach

13. George Street West, Burleigh Heads

14. Warwick Place, Helensvale

15. Cristobel Court, Broadbeach Waters

16. Lakeview Blvd, Mermaid Waters

17. Beau Pde, Bonogin

18. Tiarnna Close, Burleigh Heads

19. Midview Court, Currumbin

20. Synergy Drive, Coomera

The post Gold Coast’s top 20 most popular streets appeared first on realestate.com.au.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

It’s been in the one family for almost 40 years, and now it’s time for another family to move into this gorgeous Millswood home and start their own dynasty there.

Rose Williams and her late husband John – father of selling agent John Williams – bought the home in 1984, attracted by its space, location, elegance and grand proportions.

“My husband John loved the size of it and was looking for a beautiful big family home because we had a family on the way, and he had his previous family,” Mrs Williams says.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

MORE NEWS

Your sneak peek into some of the world’s most amazing properties

From castles to resorts – more dream homes

Historic church’s impressive transformation

“He liked it because it was a corner block and he liked having space and privacy and loved spending time in the garden because he was in the office so much.

“We bought it from Owen Redmond and his wife, who wanted to downsize. There’s a lot of history attached to Andrew Ave, and a lot of people tend to stay here for a long time.”

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

Seamlessly blending character features with modern upgrades, the home retains its period charm, allowing people the opportunity to live in a quintessential grand Adelaide home of yesteryear, or add their own personal touches and bring it into the future.

“It needed a lot of work done when we bought it – it was a lot smaller so we extended it,” Mrs Williams says. “We tried not to change too much because John was always big on having things that were of the era and preserving the character of the house. By changing it too much it becomes like every other house and that’s what makes this property special. But if someone wanted to modernise it that would be lovely.”

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

The home, set on a 3114sqm allotment, features four bedrooms, grand formal dining and living areas, a renovated kitchen and numerous outdoor entertainment areas. There’s also a sparkling inground pool, a grass tennis court, a separate guesthouse with a bathroom, while the home is surrounded by established and meticulously maintained landscaped gardens.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

Mrs Williams says the home’s size and stunning garden location makes it an ideal entertainer.

“Because of John’s work we did a lot of entertaining here, and the house and garden was fantastic for that,” she says. “Because we had the swimming pool the kids from down the street that would come around and we’d have lots of pool parties here and we loved being outdoors. We were married in a marquee on the front lawn in front of our family and friends, and that was a particularly memorable occasion.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

“Everyone would come here for birthdays and Christmases – it was a great family home and everyone had their partners and had two children and Christmas was always hectic, but absolutely wonderful and perfect. But now it’s just me here. I used to be like the old woman that lived in a shoe, but now I’m all here by myself and it’s time to move to something a little smaller. It seems sad to have just me here and a bit of a waste of this amazing property when another family could love it as much as we have.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

“I picture kids riding their bikes around here and running around, and I think its time for it to be used and enjoyed that way.”

Mrs Williams says, given the amount of memories tied up in the property, it will be difficult to leave both the home and its great location.

“The location is fantastic because it’s really private and there isn’t any through traffic there, but yet you’re so close to King William Rd and we have a lot of schools nearby so it works really well for families,” Mrs Williams says.

“I’m going to be really sad to leave this place, but it really is time to stop being greedy and let someone live the wonderful life we had here.”

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood

Contact agent for price

Agent: Williams Real Estate, Stephanie Williams 0413 874 888 and John Williams 0411 747 555. Land size: 3114sqm. Expressions of Interest: Close Wednesday, September 9 at 2pm.

The post A stunning home ready to be loved for generations at 17 Andrew Ave, Millswood appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Hobart’s most sought-after streets aren’t all in blue chip suburbs.

HOBART’S most popular home rental locations have been revealed, with experts saying there is a clear difference between where people want to rent and where they want to buy.

Realestate.com.au data, based on the past three years of searches, shows Davey St in Hobart is the number one location where Tasmanians want to rent a home.

SEE THE FULL LIST BELOW >>

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said Davey St’s popularity was due to its affordability and convenience.

“A lot of renters just want somewhere cheap, practical and close to shopping etc. That is what is on offer there,” she said.

350A Davey St, South Hobart. Petrusma.

Other rental areas most searched include Edgar St in Claremont and Glenorchy’s Vieste Dr.

“Popular streets for renting are very different to those for buying. The motivation there is different,” Ms Conisbee said.

“They are decent suburbs but they are cheaper suburbs. Renters are not aspirational, they are more practical. It’s not an investment, they are just looking.”

TASMANIA’S TOP 20 MOST POPULAR STREETS TO RENT

1. Davey St, Hobart

2. Edgar St, Claremont

3. Vieste Dr, Glenorchy

4. Molle St, Hobart

5. Canberra Rd, Claremont

6. Salvator Pl, West Hobart

7. Victoria Esp, Bellerive

8. Baintree Ave, Dynnyrne

9. Macquarie St, Hobart

10. Maple Ave, Moonah

11. Grevillea Ave, Old Beach

12. Southview Cres, New Norfolk

13. Mctavish Ave, North Hobart

14. Church St, Kingston Beach

15. Capri Dr, Sandy Bay

16. Castray Esp, Battery Point

17. Beach Rd, Snug

18. Princes St, Sandy Bay

19. Corby Ave, West Hobart

20. Buckingham Dr, Howrah

Ms Conisbee said “It’s no surprise” how different popular streets are when comparing buyers to renters.

“They are suburbs that young people want to live in, because renters are generally younger,” she said.

“They might be suburbs that are fun to live in, super cheap or close to universities.”

Knight Frank department manager Robbie Yeoland said the company managed six Macquarie St rental properties.

350A Davey St, South Hobart. Petrusma.

She said Knight Frank regarded Bellerive as the most popular Eastern Shore suburb to rent at, while the company had seen a rise in international renters.

“We are seeing that many Hobart renters are from places such as India, Nepal and Pakistan,’ she said.

“The reason is because Tasmania is a regional area as classified by Immigration Department, and so by spending a couple years in Tasmania, it helps people from those countries progress the status of their residency application.”

Ms Yeoland said Knight Frank had acquired 19 former Airbnb properties as rentals since January – a direct result of COVID-19 border restrictions.

james.kitto@news.com.au

The post Realestate.com.au data shows the most popular areas for rentals based on three-year search results appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The sought-after Byron Bay.

Byron Bay’s popularity with seachangers is peaking at never-before-seen levels as homebuyers flock to the area as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Byron, as it is affectionately known, has also become a beacon for celebrities and industry leaders as the successful flock to the northern NSW town.

Both factors were again witnessed by the latest purchase in the town’s highly prized ‘golden grid’ enclave.

Byron Bay’s ‘Golden Grid’ has become some of the most wanted real estate in Australia. Picture: Supplied

Josh White, CEO and founder of sports and entertainment marketing agency Lampoon Group, who counts cricket superstar Ellyse Perry, former rugby international and TV star Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins and Olympian Jessica Fox as among his clients has eyed a shift to the northern NSW town for over a decade.

He finally made his move to the location favoured by the likes of Chris and Liam Hewsworth, Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman (just to name a few), snaring a blue chip property in the heart of Byron Bay on Carlyle Street.

The sale price was undisclosed but is believed to be around $2 million.

MORE

Jason Akermanis’ shock new move

Australia’s hottest growth suburbs

Sports Agent Josh White with client Ellyse Perry. Picture: supplied

The home was very much a ‘renovator’s delight’ and White plans to build a new home on the 474 sq m block he can call his own.

“I grew up surfing and still remember going to Byron with my family for the first time when I was 9. Dad got me my first surfboard from the old Maddog Surf Shop. I have always had this love of the place and wanted to get up there one day,” White said

White and his Golden Buy. Picture: supplied

A ‘renovator’s delight’. Picture: Supplied

But it was the COVID-19 epidemic that was the tipping point.

“It’s become a time when people are reassessing where they are at and looking to get more balance in their life,” he said.

“To get out of the hustle because it can be all consuming. You can find that balance up there. I wanted to head north and get back to my roots and this was the perfect opportunity.”

A seachange or a treechange is the move many Australians are considering as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Over the last quarter through July regional home values dipped just 0.1 per cent as opposed to a 2 per cent fall in the combined capitals, according to Core Logic.

You can see why Byron is in demand.

Wategos Beach has long been a Byron Bay highlight.

In Byron, consistent demand has seen house prices trend strongly upwards over the last decade. According to realestate.com.au data, the median house price has jumped from $712,000 in 2011 to $1.41 million last year.

The peak year was in 2017, when the average house price hit $1.578 million, before the market slipped.

MORE

Rare chance to own exclusive Sydney home from The Block

Harry and Meghan’s new secret uber expensive LA home

However leading Byron Bay agent Ian Daniels, who sold White his new property said demand and prices are reaching new highs.

“I’ve been here 20 years and there was a peak in September 2007 before the GFC and a peak again almost exactly 10 years later in September 2017, but I think what is happening now has surpassed that,” he said.

Chris Hemsworth and Matt Damon with some locals in Byron Bay. Picture: Instagram

Zac Efron’s is living in Byron Bay. Picture: Instagram

The ‘Golden Grid’ is a leading plank in the latest price spike.

“It’s the part of town where the old quarter acre blocks are and where settlement here started,” Mr Daniels said.

“It’s where the bank manager lived and the station master lived. Now it’s walking distance to Clarke’s Beach and the iconic Top Shop. Everyone knows it.”

Byron Bay real estate has come a long way since 1972, when you could buy a souse (top left) for $5200. Picture: Real Estate NSW

Byron Bay’s town centre and the beach beyond. Picture: News Corp

The change in consciousness that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought is another leading factor in Byron Bay’s surge in popularity.

“Now due to COVID-19 people are saying ‘let’s make that move we always wanted to’,” Mr Daniels said.

The famous Cape Byron Picture: Dylan O’Donnell

“People who were thinking of doing it in their 50s and 60s are saying ‘let’s do it now’,”.

“The first two months of Covid, there wasn’t much happening, but the last two months have been my best sales months for a long time. There are a lot of buyers ready to go.”

MORE

Jennifer Lawrence loses millions in NYC penthouse sale

Radical way COVID-19 is changing our homes

Sports Agent Josh White of Lampoon with one of his clients Nick Cummins. Picture: supplied

“We are very blessed to live here and the town is made up of some pretty amazing people who have made the conscious decision to take a leap of faith and make the move to a better life for them and their family.”

For Josh White, that dream is already being fulfilled.

“When I started looking a few months ago there wasn’t much interest but then things changed. I’m stoked I’ve now got a place up there,” said White, who also counts global brands, Oakley, ASICS, Beats by Dre and Danone YoPRO among some of his other clients.

The post Byron Bay: popularity with seachangers peaking as agent to the stars buys up appeared first on realestate.com.au.