Blog

56 East Parade, Kingswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate

Why spend time and money renovating a grand character home when you can move in to this one, where all the hard work has been done for you? That’s what’s on offer in this stunning Kingswood home Simon and Louise bought just a few years ago, attracted by its picturesque gardens and stunning street appeal.

MORE NEWS

Chance to restore a piece of history to its former glory

Where you can buy a house for $80,000

Historic church’s impressive transformation

“The previous owners were commercial gardeners so they built up the garden beautifully,” Simon says. “There are a set of gum trees on the back boundary which are just gorgeous and at night we have koalas in there, so we’ll sit out the back with a wine in hand spotting the koalas and watching them. This place really had us at the front door.

56 East Parade, Kingswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate

“The previous owners did the extension a few years ago and kept the 12-foot ceilings throughout, and used the original sandstone – they just did it right, in terms of the scale and scope of it.”

The home features up to five bedrooms – the master with a walk-through robe and an ensuite – formal and casual living areas and a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living at the rear that opens to a covered terrace overlooking a sparkling inground pool.

“It’s very functional because it’s got two-and-a-half bathrooms, all the space you need, a guest bedroom and all of that, so it’s been great living in it as a family,” Simon says.

56 East Parade, Kingswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate

“There’s a really nice room at the front which gets the afternoon sun and we use that as the winter room and hunker around the open fireplace – and in the summer we’d be out in the back living room which has the pool – it’s a really fabulous family home and the previous owners did a terrific job of it.

“We did our bit to it as well and spent a fair bit of money on it, like putting in new airconditioning ducts and motors right through it, we put on a side garage and did a big electrical upgrade too to include LED lights, so we’ve just topped it off and modernised it a little bit, but it had beautiful bones and a beautiful layout when we got it.”

56 East Parade, Kingswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate

Simon says the home’s versatile floorplan made it a great entertainer, and capable of handling even large crowds with ease.

“The big bifold doors open up from the informal dining room to the outdoor area, and we’ve had some pretty decent nights there, particularly in summer when you’ve got all the kids in the pool and the adults hanging out in that outdoor area,” Simon says. “The kitchen flows really nicely out to that living area and the outdoor area, and then there’s quite a big backyard that sits off to the side behind the pool. There’s a quadruple garage too, so we can open that up and then have the bar inside and have up to 80 people there quite comfortably.”

56 East Parade, Kingswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate

“I’ve done the garden myself since we bought it and it’s a big garden, but the previous owners designed it to be very low-maintenance – it only needs an annual cut back and fertilise, and then you mow the lawns and blow the leaves once a fortnight. When I bought it I thought it would be a fair bit of work, but it’s not.”

The family have loved the home but the time has come to move on, with Simon saying they’ll miss not only the home, but its location too.

56 East Parade, Kingswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate

“Everything you need is at hand here,” he says. “Our girls go to Walford, but you’ve also got Unley High and Scotch within a stone’s throw, and Mitcham Shopping Centre is really close too, which is great because it’s such a brilliant shopping centre. The creek walk is great too – I would follow the creek up through Torrens Park, through the old Mitcham Village and all the way up through Brown Hill Creek and you can literally start doing that from the end of the street. The plan was for it to be our forever home, but our plans have changed and we’ve come to the point where we have decided to sell it. We’ve had three or four houses so far and this has been my favourite house we’ve ever had. It’s a fantastic home and I hope it goes to a family that will love it for the next 20 years.”

56 East Parade, Kingswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate

56 East Pde, Kingswood

Contact agent for price

Agent: Williams Real Estate, Stephanie Williams 0413 874 888, and John Williams 0411 747 555. Land size: 1360sqm. Expressions of interest: Close Wednesday, August 26 at 2pm.

The post 56 East Parade, Kingswood a grand entertainer and a must-have for nature-lovers appeared first on realestate.com.au.

There has been an uptick in the number of million-dollar properties for sale in Darwin

THERE has been an uptick in the number of million-dollar properties for sale in Darwin – a sign of confidence from the higher end of the market.

Based on realestate.com.au listings, there were at least 40 properties for sale for $1m or more in the Greater Darwin area at time of print.

O’Donoghues First National managing director Jeremy O’Donoghue said while it wasn’t unusual for there to be million-dollar properties on the Darwin market, the pandemic may have prompted owners to take the plunge.

“I think that maybe they’ve been holding back a little bit throughout the (pandemic) … and given the supposed stability of Darwin, people are realising that now is a good time (to sell),” he said.

MORE REAL ESTATE NEWS

NT real estate agents share their experience of the last quarter

Rental vacancy rates nosedive as Darwin properties get snapped up

Real estate agency records highest June property sales in five years despite coronavirus downturn

“These properties are probably pretty good value at the moment.

“What might be worth $1m today might have been worth $1.2 or $1.3m five years ago. So it’s definitely an opportune time for buyers to come in and look at this sort of property and get some pretty good value.”

He said the willingness of more sellers to put high-end properties up for sale could be seen as a sign of confidence in the Darwin market.

“The premium market and the market in general up here in Darwin is quite strong.

“It’s quite positive and encouraging that a lot of the activity that we are having is from local people that are maybe going all right in their business, downsizing or moving around and they’re identifying value. And the premium market’s no different.”

“I think there are people coming out of a $500,000, $600,000 or $700,000 house in the northern suburbs and are looking to upgrade for their family. So it’s very genuine – it’s not speculative.”

LIMITED TIME – Discounted NT News subscription: Read everything for $1

Real Estate Institute of the NT chief executive Quentin Kilian said there were plenty of buyers but low stock, so ­realistic sellers could attract a lot of interest.

“It’s a bit of a feeding frenzy from buyers, so for a seller you’ve got a real opportunity to move your property quickly if you price according to what the market’s asking,” he said.

The post Darwin real estate market sees rise in high-end property sales appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The Spring selling season is nearly upon us. (Pictures by Julian Andrews).

The Sydney residential market looks set to kick off spring with a bumper number of offerings.

Over the past month 6000 new listings have hit the Sydney market, which is up 27 per cent on the same period last year. These early bird offerings have taken the total Sydney listings to around 20,000, which is two per cent less than the same time last year. So there is not yet an oversupply, but it could be coming.

Interestingly the national 2020 spring selling season is going to kick off with reduced levels of listings across Australia, down by 12 per cent, according to CoreLogic.

MORE: Where investors are spending their money

Park your boat for the price of a Sydney home

As much as the pandemic has and will continue to impact on listing volumes, and prices, life goes on for many. There’s always a need for more or less bedrooms, the wish for a tree or sea change, divorce, listings under executor instructions to avoid capital gains tax, and maybe just grabbing the chance to buy the home that you’d always wanted.

Sydney has around 20,000 listings at the moment. John Feder/The Australian

So that provides a floor for consistent property turnover. The rest is a bit more discretionary or mandatory.

The changing job landscape is likely to influence the market over upcoming weeks, and then well into 2021. Sadly much of it will be by employees who have lost their jobs, and business owners who have lost their business incomes.

It has been investors rather than homebuyers who have moved quickly in reaction to pandemic, possibly with concerns about sustaining their rental incomes.

But there will be many more households thinking of selling and taking up renting for the time being. Looking back, the property cycle over recent decades was barely impacted by rising high unemployment, so this is really going to be an uncharted challenge for the market.

It comes as interest rates are at historic lows, but that is little comfort for households without income.

Houses have been taking 45 days and units 46 days to sell this winter. Photo by Gaye Gerard/ SundayTelegraph

AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver has suggested the market was in “the twilight zone” with government support and bank payment holidays protecting it.

The Sydney fresh listings data is a spike that could test the market towards the end of spring, should it be combined with the usual seasonal spike. Interestingly, vendors have not yet been forced into any serious price discounting as they meet the market.

Houses have been taking 45 days and units 46 days to sell this winter – a reasonable time frame. Vendor discounting for private treaty does not show signs of distress selling. Sydney discounting sits at 2.6 per cent for houses and 2.9 per cent for units, which suggests estate agents are doing a great job with their advice to vendors on pricing.

Sydney saw a 0.9 per cent decline in values in July and by 2.1 per cent during the quarter.

But the $866,000 dwelling median was still 12 per cent up on the same time last year.

CoreLogic’s head of research Tim Lawless has noted Sydney’s housing markets had remained relatively resilient through the COVID-19 period so far.

It appears the dearest markets have taken the bigger hit.

Sydney’s upper quartile values are down 2.5 per cent over the past four months, while the lower quartile values are down just 0.1 per cent.

The data highlights Sydney has many market segments and just how important it is for agents to closely understand the shifting trends.

The post Sydney market prepares for big Spring as 6000 properties hit market in past month appeared first on realestate.com.au.

2 Tiersen Place, Sandy Bay. Picture: SUPPLIED

ALMOST half a century has passed from the time this Sandy Bay home was built until now, the first time it has been offered to market.

This immaculately presented and much loved family home curves around a fantastic in-ground pool.

This highlighted feature has been meticulously maintained. It is private, solar heated and full of saltwater. The in-ground pool can be accessed via the living areas and its sheltered courtyard will be perfect for families and those who love to entertain.

The brick residence was built in 1972 and offers versatile, sun-drenched living areas including a substantial separate lounge and living room plus an open plan, beautifully maintained blackwood kitchen and dining area.

Pool with mountain views.

Solid ‘70s construction.

Terrific timber.

The polished Tasmanian oak floors are in immaculate condition and can be found covering a majority of the upper level of the house.

Winter chill will be no problem with the home’s effective ducted gas heating.

The generously proportioned master bedroom comprises a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom while the remaining two bedrooms on this ground floor level feature built-in wardrobes and are considerably sized.

The family bathroom has a separate bath, shower and toilet.

The home also benefits from a double garage with a remote controlled door and plenty of additional storage space.

Make your way downstairs to discover a second living room with an adjoining fourth bedroom and a rumpus room complete with a wood-heater.

Sophisticated sleeper.

Living areas galore.

This level is also home to a separate study, which further adds to the level of flexibility that is on offer.

This versatile lower ground floor space has enormous potential. It is easy to imagine it being converted into a fully self-contained accommodation if required — subject to approvals.

Or, it would make the perfect teenagers retreat or man cave with the bonus of its own access.

There is an abundance of additional under-house storage here that is easily accessible from the lower level of the property. There is also a meticulously kept workshop space.

The property spans a 646sq m parcel of land. It is fully fenced and features low maintenance, mature gardens that will be no trouble to look after.

The property is conveniently positioned just moments away from the heart of Sandy Bay and its specialty shops and services.

Room with a view.

Dine in style.

Noted private and public schools and local beaches are also close by.

And yet, the home boats a quiet, coveted cul-de-sac position with lovely mountain views and water glimpses.

No.2 Tiersen Place, Sandy Bay is priced at $995,000+ and listed with Charlotte Peterswald for Property.

Per realestate.com.au data for the past 12 months, Sandy Bay houses are second only to Battery Point for Tasmania’s highest median price.

The median has grown by 3.4 per cent in that year-long period.

The post Rare chance to snap up this Sandy Bay abode appeared first on realestate.com.au.

198 Nebraska Road, Dennes Point. Picture: SUPPLIED

A WONDERFUL island lifestyle, cutting-edge design and an absolute beachfront position – what else could a homeowner ask for?

With the rare benefit of title to the high-water mark, this outstanding contemporary building makes a unique and appealing addition to the suite of holiday homes that enjoy an exclusive location above the sandy stretch of Nebraska Beach.

Clad in oiled vertical hardwood and designed as an offset pair of connected pavilions, the building’s rear door opens to an entrance hallway that links the two, with a large picture window at the end hinting at the expansive panoramas to come.

Turning to the right from the hallway is the bedroom pavilion, with three bedrooms and a bright bathroom/toilet with glass-enclosed rainhead shower.

Indoor-outdoor flow.

Life by the sand.

World class views.

The master bedroom, with its window framing the view, is at the front of this pavilion.

Full-height glass sliders give access from the master bedroom to the spacious deck at the north west-facing front of the house. To the left of the hallway is the heart of the building – the kitchen, dining and living area, which opens to the deck.

There is a practical galley kitchen and an island bench with sink.

This space flows through to the living area, with a pair of comfortable lounges, a huge feature window at the front and stacking sliding glass doors that completely open the side of the living space to the outside.

The fourth bedroom is at the rear of this pavilion.

There is ample rainwater storage and a modern wastewater treatment system. The rear driveway area has parking for three cars.

Cook up a feast.

Plonk down right here.

Firepit? Check.

Adjacent is a gravelled outdoor living area with timber screens protecting dryland plantings and a firepit.

From the deck, a path alongside a stone retaining wall leads down on timber steps through native poa grasses to reach the beach.

As a final bonus, this unique property has its own boat shed on the title.

Completed in 2019 and operated successfully since then as short-term accommodation as well as the owners’ personal weekend retreat, the home looks out across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel with sweeping and uninterrupted views of the mountains beyond North West Bay, the hills of Tinderbox and Mt Wellington.

The Jetty Cafe and gallery are a kilometre or so away and it’s a 20-minute drive to the ferry terminal at Roberts Point.

Properties with an absolute waterfront location on Nebraska Beach come on the market very rarely and tend to attract wide interest.

No.198 Nebraska Road, Dennes Point is listed with Fall Real Estate Kingston Beach and priced at “Offers over $950,000”.

The post Chic and stylish modern beach home on Bruny Island appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A Victorian-era house and two-storey brick factory have been turned into one remarkable home in Geelong West.

Warehouse conversion meets classic Victorian character at a former Geelong West cordial factory that’s been transformed into a knockout family home.

The historic residence at 37 Candover Street has an X-factor worth bottling — starting with a clever conservatory that links its two distinct pavilions.

The five-bedroom house offers almost 560sq m of living space, a rarity in Geelong West, on a 800sq m block with a swimming pool.

RELATED:
Six bidders fight for old Highton location

New Belmont townhouse draws a crowd

Hidden gems full of surprises in Geelong CBD

The two-storey former cordial factory now overlooks the pool.

It’s rare to find this much space in Geelong West.

It’s listed for sale with price hopes of $1.85m-$1.99m.

Whitford, Newtown selling agent Peter Fort said the vendors had done an outstanding job renovating the two-storey brick cordial factory and weatherboard house, which date back to the late 1880s.

“The current owners have transformed it and built a conservatory between the front part of the building and the factory,” Mr Fort said.

“It’s very, very unique. It’s like a warehouse conversion that blends into a really period Victorian home so it has certainly got that X-factor and it’s huge, you’re looking at 60 squares.

The open-plan living area has a traditional feel.

Several of the rooms have open fireplaces.

A conservatory links the kitchen to the converted factory and creates another living space.

“The way the accommodation is set up it has four bedrooms and basically four or five living areas but it could be a six-bedroom home.”

The front section has four bedrooms, a study, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area that links to the central conservatory.

Beyond here the ground floor of the factory has been converted into another modern living space with polished concrete floors, a studio/home office and garage.

The rear part of the house has a warehouse feel.

The vendors use this first floor space as a main bedroom.

It has the luxury of a huge dressing room.

One of the three bathrooms.

Upstairs is a lavish 90sq m main bedroom suite, with a massive dressing room and retreat.

There’s also off-street parking for five cars behind the electric front gates, where landscaped gardens and red brick paving await.

Mr Fort said the beauty of builder David McGovan’s renovation was its flexibility, with the ability to separate the main dwelling from the back section if desired.

There’s lots of living spaces for families to spread out.

The front bedrooms are loaded with period charm.

“It’s a really good use of space and it has been really well designed,” he said.

“There is this light that filters in — it really has got everything.”

The property is within 200m of Pakington St’s cafe strip and is a short walk from Geelong train station and the waterfront.

The post Former Geelong West cordial factory now a remarkable home appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Narelle and John Cartwright with their children, Thomas, 14, and Lucy, 16 at their home in Kalinga. The family moved from Sydney to Brisbane in seach of a better lifestyle. Photographer: Liam Kidston

QUEENSLAND is in hot demand with COVID refugees from southern states flocking to the sunshine state – some without even inspecting their future home.

Victorian and New South Wales buyer interest in Queensland has risen 18 per cent in the past six months.

Fresh data from realestate.com.au reveals 4 per cent are ready to buy now, 14 per cent are considering a move, and 22 per cent are simply browsing, possibly considering a longer-term lifestyle change.

It comes as the nation’s top social experts say COVID-19 has accelerated interstate migration into Queensland and predict even more Sydney-siders and Melbournites will make the move to the Sunshine State, once border restrictions are eased.

Leading demographer Bernard Salt said the pandemic has shifted people’s priorities about where they wanted to live.

Surfers Paradise is the No 1. destination for people looking to relocate form Sydney and Melbourne since COVID-19 began.

“I do think there will be a new driver in the 2020s … you’ll have people who feel uncomfortable with the congestion of living in the city whereas previously the congestion of the big city was seen as a positive, a drawcard,” he said.

“The bright lights have dimmed a bit and they don’t have the same allure now that we’ve had full exposure to a pandemic.

“A lot of people have decided to reassess their lifestyle and their location, and Queensland looks pretty good on both of those fronts, in terms of affordability, climate, security and non-congested lifestyle.”

Coastal locations are at the top of shopper’s wishlists, with eight of the top 10 most searched suburbs on the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise the most popular.

Tolemy Stevens of Harcourts Coastal on the Gold Coast said that while interstate inquiries had always been strong, volumes had gone “through the roof” in the past three months.

“I have never seen this level of demand, specifically from Melbourne and Sydney buyers, with such genuine voracity to secure properties yesterday,” he said.

“These aren’t people who are toying with the idea of buying. These are people coming to me and saying, ‘I have $1-2 million or $4-5 million, find me a property and I’ll buy it’.”

In Brisbane Judi O’Dea of Ray White Paddington said her level of inquiries from southern states had doubled during COVID-19 and properties were changing hands in all suburbs at all price points.

This house in Koppa Place in Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast this week sold to a Victorian buyer for $829,000. Selling agency McGrath received as many inquiries from interstate buyers as local interest.

“I’ve got clients from Sydney, Melbourne, Los Angeles and Hong Kong,” Ms O’Dea said. “They’re all trying to get to Brisbane and are all chasing as large a land size as possible because they have been holed up in apartments, and they are fed up,” she said.

“Brisbane offers them something that is affordable. What has become apparent is that anything on a sizeable block that is family friendly is selling like hot cakes.”

The phenomenon is happening across the state, according to Scott Louis of McGrath estate agency on the Sunshine Coast, who recently sold two homes in Caloundra for record prices to separate Victorian buyers.

“People are realising they should live the life they want to live now, and so are speeding up their life plans, he said.

“Lifestyle properties are especially popular, with hinterland acreages or houses on larger blocks sought after. Making a lifestyle change has always been a thing, but COVID has accelerated that, especially for those coming from Sydney and Melbourne.”

Sarah Hackett, lead agent at Place Bulimba in Brisbane, said that the pandemic effect was benefiting Queensland’s property market, and would likely continue for some months.

“We have had a huge increase in inquiries from interstate. The most recent lockdown has slowed things slightly, because people can’t come to view properties, but once it passes and people can travel again, that is when we’ll see a flurry of sales,” Mrs Hackett said.

However, closed borders have done little to hamper some southerners’ desire to secure a place in the sun, with many happy to purchase online or sight unseen.

“Recently I have had five sales between $1 million and $4 million where the buyers from Sydney and Melbourne bought without inspecting the properties, and three were all cash, no finance,” Mr Stevens said. “Forget about the prices, it’s all about the volume.”

Narelle and John Cartwright bought their house in Kalinga sight unseen before relocating from Sydney in the height of COVID.

Narelle and John Cartwright from Sydney bought their home at 62 Henry Street in the Brisbane suburb of Kalinga sight unseen in the middle of the pandemic.

“We recognised that if we sold our place in Sydney we could get a brand new home in Brisbane, with access to so many different things and with a reduced mortgage, which has allowed me to cut back on my work hours. Now I can fit in with the children, clean the house, go to the gym, go for a walk and just have the lifestyle that I could never have had in Sydney,” Mrs Cartwright said.

While buying a property in the middle of COVID-19 was a daunting prospect she said it wasn’t enough to derail the family’s plans.

“I had great confidence in our buyer’s agent Jordan Navybox of Cohen Handler and he put me on Facetime and so we felt quite confident. Now we’re here, we couldn’t be happier.

“If I can give advice to anyone thinking of moving for a better lifestyle, it would be just do it. It’s not worth wasting time waiting.”

With international travel off the cards, wealthy southern buyers not interested in making a permanent move north, are grabbing beachfront properties to use as a holiday destination.

Mr Stevens said these high-net worth buyers don’t care where they buy as long as it is beachfront, although areas such as Noosa, the Gold Coast and Byron Bay are hot spots.

“Anywhere from Main Beach to Palm Beach is sizzling,” he said. “Buyers are trending towards the blue-chip areas and they’re not interested in returns, they just want a lockup and leave holiday home.

“They see these destinations as not only a good place to come on holiday, but a safe haven for their money.”

Matt and Kim Ely recently sold their Little Mountain home to a Victorian buyer sight unseen for a record price. Photograph: Lachie Millard

Estate agent goes doorknocking to find sellers

They say lightning doesn’t strike twice but for one Sunshine Coast real estate agent that’s exactly what happened.

During the pandemic Scott Louis of McGrath estate agency sold a property in Little Mountain to keen Victorian family, but left behind a swath of disappointed potential buyers.

To keep them happy and his sales record on a roll Mr Louis took matters into his own hands, doorknocking the street, looking for another potential vendor.

“I tried the house next door, because it looked like the type of property my clients were after,” Mr Louis said.

He couldn’t believe his luck when Matt and Kim Ely, the owners of a nearby Casuarina Drive home, opened the door and invited him in.

Mr Ely said the request wasn’t a complete surprise to him.

“For years I had joked that this house would sell to someone who knocked on our front door and low and behold …”

Mr Ely, who owns a building company, Ely Projects, had not long ago finished a renovation of the house that he, his wife Kim, and their four children have lived in for 12 years. “We were thinking of maybe selling later in the year, but when Scott knocked on the door, with the promise of a long list of genuine buyers, we decided to just go ahead,” he said.

The house was put in front of six interested groups and sold to a Victorian family, sight unseen, for a suburb record of $1.25 million.

Mr Louis said Queensland properties offer interstate buyers excellent value for money. “To get a house like this in Melbourne, on almost 2896sq m and 10 minutes from the coast, you would be paying $3 million to $4 million,” he said.

Southerners seeking a sea change or a holiday home can pick up this five-bedroom waterfront home at 17 Southern Cross Drive, Surfers Paradise through Kollosche estate agency

TOP 20 LOCATIONS FOR SOUTHERNERS

1 Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

2 Hope Island, Gold Coast

3 Buderim, Sunshine Coast

4 Palm Beach, Gold Coast

5 Coolangatta, Gold Coast

6 Broadbeach Waters, Gold Coast

7 Robina, Gold Coast

8 Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast

9 Southport, Gold Coast

10 Broadbeach, Gold Coast

11 Peregian Beach, Sunshine Coast

12 Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast

13 Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast

14 Coomera, Gold Coast

15 Burleigh Waters, Gold Coast

16 Noosa Heads, Sunshine Coast

17 Labrador, Gold Coast

18 Noosaville, Sunshine Coast

19 Tugun, Gold Coast

20 Runaway Bay, Gold Coast

Source: realestate.com.au

The post Buyers fleeing southern states snap up Queensland properties sight unseen appeared first on realestate.com.au.

New data shows that North Ward is the fastest selling suburb for houses outside of Brisbane, with another Townsville suburb also making the state’s top 10.

REA figures show houses in the sought-after bayside suburb are changing hands, on average, in 40 days, with 22 houses sold in the past 12 months.

And it is also good news for vendors’ hip pockets, with the median sales price hitting $642,500 – up 23.6 per cent over 12 months.

MORE NEWS: Where house prices have jumped an amazing 400% in 20 years

Coronavirus sparks rise in adults moving back in with their parents

Two Townsville suburbs are among Queensland’s top 10 fastest selling suburbs. Picture: Wesley Monts

But sales prices vary widely, with Janice Gallagher of Janice Gallagher Real Estate selling a stunner with bay views for $1.27 million in June and Tarquinn Watson of North Ward Realty flipping a renovator’s delight for $440,000 in just 22 days on August 5.

“That house (on a 506sq m block) had been in the same family for over 40 years,” Mr Watson said.

“It was listed online at 9am and under contract by 11am, going unconditional 22 days later (Wednesday).

“I was actually at the property taking photographs for the listing when they (the buyer) came up to me and tried to shoo me away, asking me what my interest in it was.

“They knew it was going up for sale and they jumped on it as soon as it did.”

Agent Tarquinn Watson had this North Ward house under contract just two hours after it was listed online at realestate.com.au

But prospective buyers were not deterred by the “under contract” listing, with Mr Watson fielding over 30 calls in a week.

North Ward Realty Agent Tarquinn Watson is fielding calls from interstate buyers keen to get flee the big smoke for a regional lifestyle

He said buyers, both local and interstate, were desperate to get a foot on the North Ward property ladder.

“There are buyers offering cash and unconditional contracts, often sight unseen,” he said.

But it is not just North Ward shining on the sales stage. Median days on market data shows houses in West End are also moving quickly, selling in 42 days.

By comparison, the state’s fastest selling suburb – Red Hill in Brisbane – is seeing houses sell in 36 days (median days on market).

Julie Mahoney of Ray White Julie Mahoney has three properties listed in West End, Townsville, including 30 Garrick Street for $339,000.

Described as a “funky red brick revival”, Ms Mahoney said proximity to the city, The Strand and the stadium were driving demand in the inner-city suburbs.

The “funky red brick revival” is listed for $339,000

She also said the ongoing coronavirus crisis interstate was also forcing interstate buyers to re-evaluate where and how they wanted to live.

“A lot of my interstate clients want to come back home to Townsville with their families,” she said.

“Covid has meant many are thinking about what life is really all about and many are working from home anyway so can work from anywhere.

“I have sold houses (in Townsville) over FaceTime and Zoom.”

Ray White’s Julie Mahoney has had incredible success recently in Townsville with selling houses at auction

Ms Mahoney said some lucky buyers were also seeing healthier capital growth – a positive sign after several tough years in the property market.

Of the top 10 fastest selling suburbs in Queensland, only North Ward and West End in Townsville made the cut.

And of those top 10, North Ward recorded the biggest increase in median sales price of all suburbs.

REA chief economist Nerida Conisbee said their data was showing a marked increase in people searching for properties in regional areas.

samantha.healy@news.com.au

The post Covid has interstate buyers rethinking their lives appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Big sale – 11 Yarrara Rd, Pymble.

An ex-pat family who fell in love with a Pymble home they saw online were not going to let a major hurdle like overseas travel bans stop them in their quest to buy it.

With a daughter enrolled in Pymble Ladies College (PLC), the Hong Kong-based ex-pats are planning to return and have been on the hunt for a home.

MORE: Fear of second wave in NSW shifts home sales

The new areas property investors are targeting

When they saw 11 Yarrara Rd, Pymble, they were very keen, said Phil Orr, of Orr&Co.

After viewing the property online and seeing videos, they arranged for a family member to drive to the north shore from Melbourne to inspect the home.

Street appeal.

Resort-style pool.

The mission wasn’t without its challenges though, Mr Orr said.

“He got here a day before the borders were closed (due to the major coronavirus outbreak in Victoria),” Mr Orr said. After the inspection, the family member headed back to his Melbourne home – and a 14-day quarantine.

All-seasons outdoor living.

Classic style.

It turned out to be worth it though. The family bought the home for $3.7 million, which also sets a new street record by $1.45 million. The previous record was set in June, 2017, with the sale of 10 Yarrara Rd for $2.25 million.

“PLC remains such a driver for interest in that area,” Mr Orr said.

“It was a great result.”

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE NSW REAL ESTATE NEWSLETTER

The post Overseas-based ex-pat sends family member over the border to see Pymble house just in time appeared first on realestate.com.au.