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Month: August 2020
The good news for homebuyers is also good news for builders.
Victorians hoping to cash in on the $25,000 HomeBuilder grants from the federal government have been given an extension.
Initial plans for the scheme required those claiming the cash to commence construction within three months of signing a contract.
In light of stage four COVID-19 restrictions the Commissioner of State Revenue has extended that timeline to six months.
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The HomeBuilder grants are available for those building a new home for less than $750,000, or renovating an existing one for between $150,000 and $750,000, subject to certain income criteria.
Early figures from the federal government show almost 10,000 Victorians had registered interest in the grants by late June, after they were announced on June 4.
With just 2700 lots titled at the time the scheme was announced and about 2000 more that could be added to the supply by the end of the year, experts have warned any slowing to the titling process could cost some Victorians access to the cash.
In most instances land must be titled before a home can be built on it.
New builds will have six months to commence construction after contracts are signed.
While the extension does not change the December 31 end date of the scheme, it does mean that buyers who sign a contract on New Year’s Eve would have until June 31, 2021, to have construction commence.
No Victorians have been able to make a formal application for the grant as the state, and most of the rest of Australia awaits an online portal that is expected to be ready by mid this month.
Urban Development Institute of Australia Victorian chief executive Danni Hunter said it was a “common sense decision” by the Victorian and federal governments.
“It gives us breathing space,” Ms Hunter said.
“Nothing is really going to happen in the six week lockdown.”
However, she warned that if the six-week hard lockdown were to extend it would require further intervention to extend the grants scheme to ensure fair access to Victorians.
From 11.59pm on Friday Melbourne’s construction industry will operate under heavy restrictions limiting new house construction to just five people on site at a time.
Building sites will have limits on how many people can be present for the next six weeks.
Larger sites, above three stories, will be limited to 25 per cent of their workforce.
Industry groups including the UDIA are still negotiating key details of how developers and builders will be able to operate over the next six weeks, including whether tradespeople will be able to move from one site to another during the period.
As of 11.59pm tonight all building site workers will need a permit to move about the state.
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Melbourne stage four restrictions: Rush of online auctions before lockdown tightens
The post HomeBuilder extended in Victoria due to stage four lockdown appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Agents are scrambling to sell homes before stage four restrictions hit the industry, with scores of properties going under the hammer online tonight.
Realestate.com.au shows last-minute sales are on the cards for about 64 properties, which are going to auction before Melbourne’s real estate industry is moved entirely online from 11:59pm Wednesday.
The rush comes as the state government confirmed private inspections would be banned under stage four restrictions.
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Ray White Cheltenham auctioneer Kevin Chokshi selling a home online.
1/11 Milton Street, Macleod is going to auction at 6pm.
Raine & Horne Williamstown director Rosemary Jamonts said her agency was able to sell three properties via private sale in Melbourne’s inner south so far this week.
“There seems to be a little bit of a scramble from buyers before lockdown and we noticed really heightened activity,” Ms Jamonts said.
“Two properties were put under contract off the back of just one private inspection each.”
A townhouse at 218 Kororoit Creek Road officially sold today for $905,000 after contracts were signed last week.
A townhouse at 218 Kororoit Creek Road sold today.
It collected $905,000 in a private sale.
Ray White Bundoora agent Cathy Liu said it was a relief to get multiple properties sold before restrictions tightened.
A property at 8 Valley Road Bundoora sold today for $625,000.
The agency planned to proceed with two online auctions this weekend but were still working out plans for the weeks to come.
8 Valley Road Bundoora sold today.
The large property sold for $625,000.
Auctions held across Melbourne before stage four industry restrictions set in are mostly scheduled from 5pm well into the evening.
An incredible Malvern mansion at 4 Somers Avenue is one of the most expensive properties going to auction, with a $4.6m asking price. It’s going under the hammer tonight two weeks ahead of schedule.
The incredible home at 4 Somers Avenue, Malvern.
A decrepit Abbotsford townhouse at 156 Charles Street is going under the hammer.
Other properties include a decrepit Abbotsford terrace at 156 Charles Street, an affordable unit at 1/11 Milton Street, Macleod and a house at 123 Market Street, Essendon.
A number of properties will still go to virtual auction this Saturday, but no further private inspections by interested parties will be permitted from Thursday.
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The post Melbourne stage four restrictions: Rush of online auctions before lockdown tightens appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Australia’s one-armed robot bricklayer could transform the residential construction sector as we know it after building its first display home in less than four days.
Described by its Perth-based creator, Fastbrick Robotics (FBR), as a “world first”, the Hadrian X is a robotic arm that mounts onto a truck, barge or crane. It is capable of laying 1000 bricks an hour, compared to human bricklayers who can lay around 500 a day.
The Hadrian X completed the structural walls of its first display home in Dayton, in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs, in early July. Structural brickwork for the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home was completed in just 3.5 standard shifts.
The Hadrian X robo-bricklayer can lay 1000 bricks an hour. Picture: Fastbrick Robotics.
The structural walls of this Perth display home were constructed in less than four days. Picture: Fastbrick Robotics.
FBR chief executive officer Mike Pivac said deploying Hadrian X for the display home build was a milestone for the automated home construction sector.
“Digital construction has taken a significant step forward with the completion of this structure using the Hadrian X, the world’s first and only mobile autonomous bricklaying robot,” Mr Pivac said.
“[The Dayton site] is our first in the suburbs…Throughout the course of 2020, we’ll do a number of these because every time we do this, obviously, the learnings of the team are just immense.”
FBR CEO Mike Pivac (left) says the Hadrian X is a world first and only mobile autonomous bricklaying robot. FBR CTO Mark Pivac (right). Picture: Fastbrick Robotics.
Mr Pivac said Archistruct Builders and Designers would complete the project including applying face brick to the exterior of the structure.
“Once complete, FBR intends to open the display home to the public and to current and potential collaborators, suppliers and customers from international markets to demonstrate and promote the use of the Hadrian X in residential home construction,” he said.
“We expect this first display home build will attract significant interest globally.”
Archistruct Builders and Designers will complete the project. Picture: Fastbrick Robotics.
Mr Pivac said FBR was proud to be at the forefront of construction robotics and was committed to fine-tuning its processes to ensure the best outcomes.
“We will continue to capture and improve as we build a few more houses in WA in the coming months and position ourselves for the future. We’re feeling pretty upbeat and buoyant about that,” he said.
The display home will be opened to the public upon completion. Picture: Fastbrick Robotics.
“While the borders are locked and while we can’t travel overseas, of course, we have to keep our eyes close to home right now. We’ve got a lot of support from the building community at the moment, a lot of interest.
“The government is doing a great job of stimulating the economy.
“What we know, having been on the journey for over 15 years is that recessions usually recover due to construction and technology, and we just happen to be in the construction-technology business so we feel that we’ll be a part of whatever Australia does to come out the other side of the COVID-19 environment in a positive way.”
The post Australian made robo-bricklayer lays 1000 bricks an hour appeared first on realestate.com.au.
No. 142 Bowning Rd in Bowning is for sale.
For years Tony Ryan would drive past the former Cobb & Co Coach Station Inn in Bowning, regaling grand plans of one day owning the historical homestead and restoring it to its former glory.
“We lived around the corner in Bowning,” said his wife Renata Ryan. “And for 25 years Tony would say: ‘One day I’m going to buy that house, one day I’m going to buy it’.”
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Full of character.
Colourful.
The opportunity to fulfill the dream came in 2000 when the property at 142 Bowning Road was listed for sale, but the decrepit 1840s-built property was in desperate need of attention.
“When they put it up for sale, I said to him: ‘You’re not serious are you?’ and he said: ‘I am, I love it’. People told us it should have been knocked down and rebuilt, but Tony was adamant he wanted it,” Mrs Ryan said.
“It was a total wreck. It was a house on a whole heap of land with sheep coming up to the back door. A lady had lived in there for 86 years before we bought it and it had been in her family for a long time.
“We’ve spent a lot of money fixing it up, but we’ve kept all the charm and character. There’s a lot of history in the place. We’ve tried to keep it as original as it was.”
Originally used as a country inn, the Cobb & Co Station Inn, the residence was converted into a private home in 1876.
Well restored.
Wow.
Mrs Ryan and her late husband dedicated themselves to restoring the main home, adding a kitchen (because the original kitchen was outside) and building a separate studio and a café, now known as the Rollonin Cafe.
The additional buildings have been designed to replicate local buildings from the 1800s, with Tony toiling as the owner builder and other locals lending a hand.
They pulled down sheds and an old house to source tin to give the café a rustic looking roof, and more than 4500 bricks, used for the two verandas, were gathered from local paddocks where old buildings once stood.
“We’ve still got the slab hut. We’re not sure whether it’s where they kept the carriages because the place was originally a Cobb & Co Inn. And there’s handmade nails that we’ve pulled out. It’s got convict bricks, handmade on the property out of clay,” Mrs Ryan said.
The homestead has retained hallmarks of its vintage, including rose ceiling medallions, timber flooring, open fireplaces, high ceilings and a clawfoot tub.
Plenty of history.
Today it has three bedrooms, one of which is in a separate studio, two separate living spaces and a large kitchen and family area with a wood stove.
Mrs Ryan said the property held a special place in her life but now was the right time to seek out a new custodian.
“I want someone who loves it as much as we did. There’s so much history in this place. It’s important that it’s honoured and preserved,” she said.
The kitchen.
The café was halfway to completion when Mr Ryan was diagnosed with stage four melanoma. Determined, he continued with the project despite his illness, completing it in 2008. He passed away in 2012 and the property has continued to host fundraising events for cancer and melanoma-related support services.
The landholding comprises of eight acres, including five at the front with the house and café and another three at the back with potential for a five-block subdivision.
Selling agent Graham Bush, from Independent – Inner North & City, is seeking offers from $1.6 million.
The post Characterful Bowning inn-turned-homestead and café a labour of love appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Celebrity hair dresser Joh Bailey has bought in the Southern Highlands. Picture: John Appleyard
Celebrity hairdresser Joh Bailey and his champion equestrian partner Michael Christie have quickly found their next Southern Highlands renovation project.
The duo have spent $1.225 million on a 23ha holding at Canyonleigh which features a ramshackle three-bedroom timber cottage.
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The couple spent $1.255 million on the landholding.
They plan to redevelop the estate, including a Ralph Lauren style two-level barn. It is currently an organic orchard, fed by bore water. It is 3km in from the Hume Motorway, just past the Belango turn-off.
The purchase follows last month’s $3.5 million plus sale of their 12ha estate at nearby High Range, Wide Acre, which found its next owner in five days through Belle agent Di Dickson.
The home is on 23ha of land.
Bailey, who opened a salon in Bowral in 2015, bought Wide Acre for $2.05 million in 2016.
The couple had planned to get married at the property with 200 guests in March, however had to cancel due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
The post Celebrity hairdresser Joh Bailey buys Southern Highlands renovation project appeared first on realestate.com.au.
All style.
Olympic golfer Marcus Fraser and his wife Carlie have sold a renovated mid-century modern house in Beaumaris for $1.65m.
The four-bedroom house at 145 Dalgetty Rd, which sold ahead of its scheduled auction to a local family, fetched the top of its price guide.
Eview Group Hartrick agent Sam Hartrick said the home’s proximity to schools made it the “perfect match for the buyer”.
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Wide hallways and timber wall panels at the Beaumaris home.
The Beaumaris property sold for $1.65m.
“As much as they did fall in love with the house because of its mid-century charm, it also ticked the right boxes in terms of family and location,” Mr Hartrick said.
“I’m glad for Marcus and Carlie.”
Fraser finished tied for fifth while representing Australia in the men’s individual golf at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Marcus Fraser plays in the Queensland PGA Championship, February 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer
The home’s stylish entry foyer.
The house wraps around a spacious timber deck.
Fraser, who also has professional wins on the European, Asian and Challenge tours, previously told the Herald Sun the couple completed renovations on the property to retain its mid-century style.
“We wanted to protect one of the homes because they seem to all get bulldozed and we don’t want Beaumaris to lose its soul,” he said.
A half-height wall separates two living spaces.
Timber panelling extends into the kitchen.
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The post Olympic golfer Marcus Fraser sells Beaumaris mid-century house appeared first on realestate.com.au.
The Penfield Gardens home at 238 Carclew Road has been converted from a chapel into a home. Pic: realestate.com.au
Open the double doors to this Penfield Gardens property and it will feel like you’re stepping into heaven.
The former chapel at 238 Carclew Rd has been converted into a divine residence – which is being offered to househunters for the first time in its roughly 150 year history.
Owners Graham and Karen Jones have spent almost two decades restoring and extending the rundown building, which was opened in 1870 as the Primitive Methodist Church.
It was rundown and dilapidated when Mr Jones bought it from the Munno Para District Council back in 2002.
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It was dilapidated after years of neglect and vandalism prior to 2002. Pic: realestate.com.au
Its owners have spent almost 20 years restoring it to its former glory. Pic: realestate.com.au
They also extended the property, which is now a three-bedroom house. Pic: realestate.com.au
It had been left to rot and was badly vandalised in the decades following its last service in 1950.
“The renovation has taken 17 years but it’s been a good adventure for us,” Mr Jones said.
“A lot of people said I was crazy to buy it but straight away I could see what I could do to it.”
“It wasn’t for sale so I contacted the council and bought it off of them for $30,000.”
The couple spent about four years “roughing it” in a shed while they worked on their now three-bedroom home, then spent many more years perfecting its finer details.
A large lounge room and two bedrooms are front and centre upon entering the building, which is on a sprawling 1935sqm block.
An open family room and kitchen forms the hub of the home, with a bathroom and laundry below the stairs.
It was opened to the public in 1870. Pic: realestate.com.au
A pergola area offers a peaceful spot to kick back in the spa. Pic: realestate.com.au
A mezzanine level offers a bedroom with walk-in wardrobe, a balcony, upstairs living area and bathroom.
Outside, there is a pergola with spa, as well as a separate building with workshop, rumpus room and outdoor entertainment area.
Mr Jones said while the restoration had been hard work, it was well worth it and they would cherish the fond memories they’d made in it – including getting married.
A relative of William Roberts, one of the area’s original settlers who gifted the land that the chapel sits on to the Methodist Congregation, travelled from interstate to marry the pair.
REAL Estate Agents Group Adelaide director Dave Stockbridge is selling the property, which is listed with a $680,000 to $730,000 price guide.
It is listed with a $680,000 to $730,000 price guide. Pic: realestate.com.au
The post Divine Penfield Gardens chapel-turned-residence offers househunters a heavenly home appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Tammy Hembrow has spent $2.88 million on a Gold Coast mansion.
Gold Coast fitness mogul Tammy Hembrow is the proud new owner of a stunning two-level family entertainer on the main river.
The online fitness and active wear entrepreneur paid $2.88 for the Broadbeach Waters property which boasts Instagram-worthy views of the city skyline.
The private residence has a sandy beach on the Nerang River.
Fitness entreprenuer and influencer Tammy Hembrow.
Ms Hembrow, who has more than 11 million Instagram followers, secured the private riverfront retreat within 17 days of it hitting the market.
Set on a coveted north east site with 30 metres of river frontage, the residence has an open plan design with multiple living areas and plenty of natural light.more.
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The Broadbeach Waters property has enviable views.
The open plan living and dining areas.
Property records show the 26-year-old mother of two, who offers online workout programs and meal plans, signed a contract on the property on June 12, opting for a swift settlement on June 27.
An extensive renovation and extension were carried out on the property in 2009, which has five bedrooms including an oversized master with walk-in robe and opulent ensuite.
A firepit makes for cosy evenings in the winter.
The pool looks over the Nerang River.
A waterfront in-ground pool and wood burn fire pit make the private 979 sqm holding ideal for year-round entertaining while a jetski ramp and timber jetty offer easy water access.
“This property offers a dedication of space for relaxation, family time, large-scale entertaining, intimate gatherings and recreation,” the listing states.
The post Tammy Hembrow splashes big bucks on Gold Coast mansion appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Metricon’s Regan 24 Elk design, which is suitable for first-home buyers. Image: Metricon
Housing affordability is one of the greatest challenges facing first-home buyers.
But the dream of home ownership is not beyond their reach, according to many new-home builders who have developed specific house designs and offers to lend support to first timers.
Despite the economic stress caused by COVID-19, Melbourne’s volume builders have noticed a renewed enthusiasm among the buying group.
Burbank national general manager of residential housing Louis Sultan said the company saw a 10 per cent jump in sales to first-home buyers during the first pandemic peak, compared with the same time last year. This was mostly driven by record-low interest rates.
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The Carter 234 Jubilee house design by Burbank. Image: Burbank
“There has also been a fourfold increase in foot traffic at our displays since the federal government announced the HomeBuilder grant in June, compared to the (previous) month, and actual sales have doubled,” Mr Sultan said.
The $25,000 grant is on offer for those building a new home valued between $150,000 and $750,000, provided the contract is signed before December 31 and construction starts within three months of the contract date.
“First-home buyers are right in there, taking advantage of the grants already on offer, as well as this new incentive,” Mr Sultan said.
Here are some of the best offers and initiatives that help first-home buyers navigate what can often be a daunting process.
Anne-Marie Shenouda and Joseph Hanna have bought a turnkey new build through Simonds’ new business segment, Start Point. Picture: Simonds/Start Point
SIMPLE IS SMART
A turnkey house is a no-fuss option many first-home buyers will find appealing as with this style of home, there’s literally nothing left to do but move in.
Simonds Homes chief strategy officer Troy Gorton said Start Point Homes — a division of the Simonds Group — allowed eligible buyers to secure a turnkey home with no deposit.
Australian residents who can show their current financial records, including proof of income, are eligible to apply for the offer.
Purchasers can choose from 11 designs in three- and four-bedroom floorplans that offer up to two living areas.
“The zero-deposit option would help first-home buyers past the deposit hurdle and provide them with a refreshed approach to financing a home,” Mr Gorton said.
Buyers also don’t have to make repayments during construction.
The style of home Ms Shenouda and Mr Hanna bought through Simonds’ Start Point.
“It suits those who have secure employment, can demonstrate good finance habits and (have) a clean credit rating,” Mr Gorton said.
Anne-Marie Shenouda and Joseph Hanna (pictured) are among the dozens of buyers building their home through Start Point using the zero-deposit option.
“It was initially daunting to think about buying a new home in a land development community,” Mr Hanna said.
“But our Start Point consultant made it so easy and took time to walk us through each part of the process.”
The builder is also helping first-home buyers into the market via its Start Point Savings Plan, which provides financial coaching on saving a deposit.
Start Point’s Explorer facade with the Flax floorplan and the Solis colour palette.
BREAKING BARRIERS
The vast amount of information first-home buyers have to digest when starting out is often a barrier, according to Mr Gorton.
“Dealing with different points of contact for each aspect — finance, house and land — can be a deterrent and cause stress,” he explained.
At Start Point, buyers work closely with a consultant through the finance application, land settlement and construction, right through to handover.
“This approach really simplifies the process and provides a great level of support and guidance,” Mr Gorton said.
He felt the company’s budget-first approach would ensure first-home owners had a clear understanding of their position and what they could afford from the very start.
Start Point’s Odyssey facade with the Quinoa floorplan and the Zain colour palette.
THE FULL PACKAGE
Henley Properties Group chief executive Antony Blackshaw said the fixed price was one of the advantages of buying a house-and-land package, particularly for those on a strict budget.
“There are no hidden surprises,” Mr Blackshaw said.
Henley has titled land available for house-and-land options at its St Claire estate, in Wollert, so buyers can start building straight away. The company also works with developers at other estates across Melbourne to match some of its most popular designs with suitable blocks.
A townhouse is another good option for first-timers.
Metricon offers a three-bedroom townhouse starting from just $350,900 for first-home buyers who are eligible for any government housing grants.
Metricon’s Lawson 22 Elk design, which is suitable for first-home buyers. Image: Metricon
BE FLEXIB
LE
Often first-home buyers start looking to build in areas they want to live, rather than
areas they can afford.
But it was important to be flexible about location, Metricon’s HomeSolution sales and brand manager for Victoria, Glenn Cooper, said.
“Otherwise, it can draw out the process,” he said.
Metricon offers free Build Smart First Home Buyers webinar information sessions, which aim to help buyers better navigate the process.
Part of Dennis Family Homes’ Aspirations range, which is priced for the first-home buyer market. Image: Dennis Family Homes
HOUSE DESIGNS TO CONSIDER
Escape range by Arden Homes
These fully rendered homes feature premium finishes, an architect-influenced floorplan, pre-designed mood boards to simplify the selection process, a $10,000 bonus from the builder towards the cost of your home, and a washing machine, dryer and fridge. House-and-land packages start from $450,000.
Aspirations Series by Dennis Family Homes
Customers can choose upgrades to best suit their lifestyle. Spend $1990 and get up to $15,000 on single-storey homes or spend $2990 for up to $20,000 on upgrades on a double-storey home.
Swift Collection by Burbank.
This range includes five of the builder’s most popular designs, each redesigned with a ready-to-go floorplan, facade, colour scheme and fit-out for a streamlined planning and building process. House-and-land packages start from $430,000.
The post First-home buyer guide to negotiating new builds appeared first on realestate.com.au.