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Great Ocean Road, Big Hill, was the most-searched street in the Geelong region in the past three years.

A look into the Geelong region’s most popular streets shows buyers are searching for lifestyle and checking out some amazing trophy homes.

Data from realestate.com.au revealed the region’s most searched street over the past three years — the Great Ocean Road at Big Hill, near Lorne, show how amazing homes can attract huge interest.

A luxury home previously owned by celebrity chef Shannon Bennett and actor Madeleine West was the only residence traded in the locality since 2017.

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The 1000sq m, five-bedroom house at 1200 Great Ocean Road sold for $4.025 million in late 2018.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said there’s always an element of stick-beaking as people search for bigger, better homes.

An incredible home previously owned by Shannon Bennett and Madeleine West at Great Ocean Road, Big Hill.

“There is a certain percentage of those searching that are stickybeaking and want to check out certain homes and certain streets,” she said.

“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,” she said.

Homes in Jarosite Rd, Bells Beach have attracted significant interest, including the long-time former home of Nicky Buckley and Murray Bingham.

Newtown agent Dale Whitford said the top streets near central Geelong were quiet areas.

“In Patten Court, (Newtown) there is no through-traffic — you wouldn’t go there unless you had a reason and most people don’t even know where it is,” Mr Whitford said.

“Mont Albert Rd (Geelong) is a bit like that — a nice tree-lined street, close to everything but really quiet and no really big traffic problems.”

Mr Whitford said schools, water and other amenities were big drivers of where people searched for property.

This former Costa family home in Whyte Court, Newtown attracted huge interest.

“Or you’ve got people who do the complete opposite and want to buy a small acreage out of town at Ceres, for example.

“What we’ve noticed in the recent past is people wanting to migrate out of Melbourne down here even more than they used to,” Mr Whitford said.

“When Stage 4 lockdown finishes in Melbourne, I reckon we are going to see the influx down here will be huge.”

Holmwood Ave is a short walk to the river and shopping centre at Anglesea.

Richardson, Newtown agent Matt Poustie said more people were looking for lifestyle properties, for a tree-change to a bush block at Wensleydale or Anakie or a hobby farm closer to the shops and schools of Geelong.

Mr Poustie said most buyers were from Geelong but lifestyle properties were rising in popularity with Melburnians.

“We find a lot of the Melbourne buyers are attracted to being somewhere between Geelong and Torquay. It’s not too far, it’s just off the freeway, so it’s perfect, and the land sizes are not too big (at 5 to 10 acres),” he said.

Luxury amid a rustic lifestyle area offered buyers a chance for a tree change at Gum Flats Rd, Wensleydale.

“People who really want seclusion, they want a proper bush block and a tree change, so they really want to be off the grid, part of the environment.”

Other homes linked to celebrities and business identities included Surf Coast couple Nicky Buckley and Murray Bingham’s former residence at Jarosite Rd, Jan Juc, which sold in early 2019 for $2.95m, and a sprawling five-bedroom Whyte Court mansion with a swimming pool, tennis court built by Frank Costa, but sold for more than $5m after daughter Suzanne and husband Tim Cleary completed a massive renovation.

4A Patten Court, Newtown offers panoramic views across the Barwon River valley.

TOP 20 STREETS – GEELONG

Great Ocean Road, Big Hill

Harry Lane, Anakie

Hardings Road, Freshwater Creek

Seahaven Place, Jan Juc

First Avenue, Anglesea

Charlemont Court, Ocean Grove

Gum Flats Road, Wensleydale

Glen Avon Drive, Bannockburn

Jarosite Road, Bells Beach

Frog Hollow Drive, Torquay

Whyte Court, Newtown

Mont Albert Road, Geelong

Holmwood Avenue, Anglesea

Larcombes Road, Modewarre

Richmond Court, Geelong

Patten Court, Newtown

Maldon Place, Ocean Grove

Clifton Avenue, Leopold

Mill Race Road, Highton

Bluestone School Road, Connewarre

*Search data from three years to August 1, 2020. Source: realestate.com.au

The post Geelong’s most wanted streets reveal our search for lifestyle and trophy homes appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The HomeBuilder Grant could shave $25,000 off your new home building project.

There’s no question that this year has been a strange one, both socially and economically. Many of us have been spending a lot of time at home in recent months, which has brought the shortcomings of our living arrangements into sharper focus.

In June, the federal government announced a new scheme aimed at helping homeowners renovate or build a new house, providing stimulus for the housing industry as we power up for 2021 and beyond.

The HomeBuilder Grant offers $25,000 towards the cost of building a new home or substantially renovating an existing home, as long the homeowners meet the criteria.

For new-home builders, the value of the house and land cannot exceed $750,000. For those seeking to renovate, the value of the existing property cannot exceed $1.5 million.

The value of the renovation work must also be at least $150,000 to be eligible.

Grant applicants must also meet income criteria, which is capped at $125,000 for an individual applicant and $200,000 for a couple.

Housing Industry Association managing director Graham Wolfe says those interested in applying should get a move on.

“You should be talking to a builder or builders as soon as possible as to their availability to do the work, as well as site contractors and financial lenders,” Graham says. “This is federal government funding distributed by Revenue NSW and you can do the application online.

“But you need to have a contract signed by the end of the year.”

Work needs to start within three months of the contract being signed, with the grant being paid once evidence is submitted that work has begun and the first payment has been made.

HIA managing director Graham Wolfe says you should get a move on if you’re hoping to apply for the HomeBuilder Grant.

While some parts of the economy have been sluggish during the pandemic, Graham says the building industry has been more of a mixed bag. Occurrences such as the recent storms on the south coast could mean that trades may not be as readily available as you might have thought.

Finding a suitable block of land to build on or getting a development application through council also takes time.

The HomeBuilder grant allows for an extension of the work starting for up to three months if it is due to “unforeseen circumstances”. This could include delays in getting council approvals, delays due to bad weather and difficulties in obtaining materials or subcontractors.

However, for those who have been putting off building work because of the pandemic but have already done the groundwork, Graham says the grant represents a great opportunity to upgrade or build a new home.

“A lot of people have had the time and the motivation to think about their accommodation and ask themselves if it is sufficient,” Graham says.

“If you have been delaying work on your house in NSW, there is capacity to take on this additional work to get a contract signed.”

Special provisions have been made in the HomeBuilder Grant in areas affected by bushfire. Picture: Toby Zerna

There are also special considerations for those who lost their homes in last year’s devastating bushfires.

For the purposes of the grant, rebuilding in an area ravaged by the fires is deemed a “substantial renovation”, with the option to access the grant and build a house up to the value of $750,000.

More: revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants-schemes/homebuilder

hia.com.au

The post A quick guide on how the $25k HomeBuilder grant can help you renovate or build your home appeared first on realestate.com.au.

14 Williams Rd, Heathfield is on the market with South Australia Sotherby’s International Realty Adelaide.

Love looking at real estate?

Chances are you’ve come across one or two of these in your browsing then as realestate.com.au reveals the 10 most viewed South Australian homes from New Year’s Day to the end of June.

There are some absolute beauties amongst them. Were you lucky enough to buy one of these sales? Or are you going to be the one fortunate to buy one of these homes still on the market?

32 Avenel Gardens Road, Medindie. Photos by Jonathan Kissock

32 Avenel Gardens Road, Medindie, SA 5081

This beauty is listed as being currently under contract. The home is set on a 1110sqm allotment and features four bedrooms, four bathrooms and covered parking for three cars.

It’s also got a pool and spa, and a cellar and has been given one of the most impressive renovations you’re likely to find.

32 Avenel Gardens Road, Medindie. Photos by Jonathan Kissock

It was for sale by Jamie Brown of Booth & Booth Real Estate.

14 Williams Rd, Heathfield is on the market with South Australia Sotherby’s International Realty Adelaide.

14 Williams Road, Heathfield, SA 5153

This incredible property looks like something out of a Bond movie and is one of the Hills’ most striking homes. It’s set on a 2.62ha allotment and features five bedrooms, four bathrooms and covered parking for two cars.

14 Williams Rd, Heathfield is on the market with South Australia Sotherby’s International Realty Adelaide.

It’s also got a sparkling pool with a pool house overlooking a floodlit tennis court.

This one’s still looking for a buyer, and is on the market with Grant Giordano of Sotheby’s.

81 East Terrace, Henley Beach. Supplied realestate.com.au

81 East Terrace, Henley Beach, SA 5022

Beachside living doesn’t get much cooler, or more headturning than this stunning Henley Beach home. Built by Scott Salisbury, the home is a masterclass in contemporary living and features four bedrooms, two bathrooms and covered parking for two. Plus it’s got a killer glass-ceiling foyer with cathedral ceilings.

81 East Terrace, Henley Beach. Supplied realestate.com.au

This impressive home was on the market through Rosalie Crowder of Rosalie Crowder Adelaide Hills.

55 Upper Sturt Rd, Upper Sturt. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

55 Upper Sturt Road, Upper Sturt, SA 5156

There’s a lot to love about this spectacular Upper Sturt home. From its incredible outlook, to it’s bespoke fit-out and cabinetry and spectacular feature swimming pool.

This property featured in The Advertiser’s Real Estate Magazine and has three bedrooms, two bedrooms and covered parking for two.

55 Upper Sturt Rd, Upper Sturt. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

This cracker was sold by Dee-Anne Hunt of Williams Real Estate.

178 Childers St, North Adelaide. Pic: realestate.com.au

178 Childers Street, North Adelaide, SA 5006

North Adelaide homes are always hot property, and this Childers St home is a fine example indeed. Set on a compact allotment of 306sqm, the home features light-filled living, quality fixtures and fittings throughout and five bedrooms.

178 Childers St, North Adelaide. Pic: realestate.com.au

It’s still available through Samantha Hirniak and Hayley Tilbrook of Ouwens Casserly Real Estate.

28 Howard Street, Collinswood. Supplied

28 Howard Street, Collinswood, SA 5081

This Collinswood home is everything you’d want in an Adelaide home – business at the front and a party at the back. With living spaces of truly epic proportions and a breathtaking outdoor entertainment area, the home also offers five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

28 Howard Street, Collinswood. Supplied

It was sold by Sally Cameron of Toop&Toop Real Estate.

17 Beviss St, North Adelaide

17 Beviss Street, North Adelaide, SA 5006

It’s no surprise to find another North Adelaide home on the list – especially when it’s one as impressive as this Beviss St number. The renovated 1900 symmetrical cottage is beautifully presented and features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and two parking spaces.

17 Beviss St, North Adelaide

It was sold by Georgie Todd and Henry Gower Tillett of Harris Real Estate.

23 Victoria Avenue, Unley Park. Photos by Jonathan Kissock.

23 Victoria Avenue, Unley Park, SA 5061

It wouldn’t be a most viewed list without a Victoria Ave, Unley Park home. And it’s not hard to see why people have been clicking up a storm on this beauty. It’s set on a 2448sqm allotment, has a sparkling pool and spa, character features throughout and rooms of truly epic proportions.

23 Victoria Avenue, Unley Park. Photos by Jonathan Kissock.

This one’s got four bedrooms, three bathrooms and covered parking for three cars and is on the market through Jamie Brown of Booth & Booth Real Estate.

19 Pine Street, Stirling. Photos by Jonathan Kissock.

19 Pine Street, Stirling, SA 5152

Yet another Jamie Brown offering, this Stirling home is packed with history and offers plenty of room to move – all surrounded by beautiful gardens. Built in 1892, Forest Lodge was commissioned by John Bagot and features eight bedrooms, three bathrooms and seven parking spaces.

19 Pine Street, Stirling. Photos by Jonathan Kissock.

This one’s still on the market.

93 Kitchener St, Peterborough. Supplied

93 Kitchener Street, Peterborough, SA 5422

From a quick look at the photos, you’d be forgiven for thinking its inclusion on this list might be a mistake. But then I saw the price, and that explained it. I mean, how often do you see a house on the market in SA for $48,000? This one has two bedrooms, one bathroom and, for the price, would make one ripper little fixer-upper.

93 Kitchener St, Peterborough. Supplied

It’s currently under contract through Jeff and Gerda Oakley of Nutrien Harcourts.

Want to see inside more amazing homes? Check out these great stories:

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The post The SA homes creating a click frenzy on realestate.com.au appeared first on realestate.com.au.

55A Carlotta Rd, Double Bay, sold for $6,625,000 at auction last night.

Architect Greg Crone’s Double Bay home sold for $6,625,000 at auction last night, one of an eastern suburbs agent’s remarkable $16,485,000 worth of sales in just six hours yesterday.

Ray White Double Bay’s Warren Ginsberg and his team Claudia Brunker and Adam Reichman stitched together the four deals together in just six hours yesterday.

Crone’s residence — the just-renovated five-bedroom, five-bathroom 55A Carlotta Road — sold for the biggest price, through Ginsberg, with Ray White Double Bay managing director, Elliott Placks and colleague Richard Faludi.

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55A Carlotta Rd, Double Bay, sold for $6,625,000 at auction last night.

With auctioneer James Keenan presiding, bidding started at $6.1m and initially rose in $100k increments.

There’d been three registered, with two competing. The buyer was a Woollahra local. The guide was revised considerably from the initial $7.25m when it was listed in mid-July.

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Another of the exciting deals was for a four-bedroom semi at 325 Military Road, Vaucluse — owned by Construction 8 boss Anthony Shapiro — which Ginsberg and Reichman had only just listed.

325 Military Road, Vaucluse, sold after just one open home for $3.06m.

They’d had just one open home. The guide had been $2.8m. It was snapped up by solicitor Carolyn Dorrian for $3.06m.

The other two homes were: a four-bedroom home at 322 Military Road — last traded for $2.18m in 2011 — that went for $3.55m after one inspection.

322 Military Road, Vaucluse, sold for $3.55m after one inspection.

This was the third sale for Ginsberg on Military Road in the past month. He also sold 334A Military Road in July.

And, finally: a brand new three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with double garage at 3/12 Boronia Road, Bellevue Hill that sold for $3.25m.

3/12 Boronia Road, Bellevue Hill sold for $3.25m.

It had been on the market for just two weeks with Reichman and Brunker.

Greg Crone‘s company’s recent projects, in conjunction with Tzannes, have included the upcoming 104-apartment Opera Residences at Circular Quay.

The post Architect Greg Crone’s Double Bay’s auction sale one of agent’s $16.5m worth of deals in six hours appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Suburban apartments have changed since the Pellicano family built this complex in Oakleigh East in 1969.

A pair of Italian bricklayer brothers stepped into the development world selling Oakleigh East apartments to new migrants for about $10,000 each in 1969.

Today the same sum covers a square metre in neighbouring Oakleigh at the Alke apartment complex built by the second generation of Frank and Nunzio Pellicano’s property empire.

While the two bricklayers’ firm has gone on to complete $3b in development projects and is proposing to build the biggest indoor water park in the southern hemisphere, a return to the Oakleigh area more than 50 years on shows how much suburban apartments have changed.

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Nando Pellicano, the second generation to run the Pellicano family business, said Melbourne’s expanding urban fringe reclassifying Oakleigh from outer suburb to middle ring was part of what had raised prices — with one-bedroom apartments now starting at $463,000.

But the apartments built today also look very different to those in the ‘60s.

The Alke Apartments in Oakleigh are very different to the Pellicanos’ first project.

The views on offer from projects today are also higher quality than those in the ‘60s.

“They were a stock standard type of unit to get the price point low,” Mr Pellicano said.

“Today, they are all now designer apartments with an architect design and top-level fixtures and fittings. It’s got more of a South Yarra look.”

In the ‘60s, affordable apartment buyers were new migrants looking for a cheap foothold in the market, with the 12 apartments in the first Pellicano development sold for a combined $125,000.

The $53m Alke project’s one-bedroom apartments are still selling to first-home buyers, but downsizers are paying up to $1.1m for a three-bedroom offering.

Indoor-outdoor designs and open-plan living are now a standard for new homes.

But there’s still plenty of brickwork on show.

“It’s more for the people who don’t want to go further out,” he said.

Designed by SJB Architects, the project was originally planned to feature 95 properties but the number dropped to 83 as buyers combined multiple homes.

Despite expectations COVID-19 will hit Melbourne’s apartment building market harder than any other construction sector, he’s expecting it will only be a “short-term hiccup”.

“Long-term we are still very positive on the drivers and demand factors,” Mr Pellicano said.

A range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments are still for sale at the Alke project.

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