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The Henley Beach South property at 6 Cudmore Tce has a Balinese-inspired backyard. Pic: supplied by Ouwens Casserly

Longing for a relaxing holiday in Bali where you can spend your days lazing by the pool with a cocktail in hand?

This Henley Beach South home at 6 Cudmore Terrace offers the next best thing.

Its impressive backyard with resort-style pool and a hut made in Ubud, all surrounded by tropical gardens, offers a peaceful escape from the stress of day-to-day life.

Selling agent Linda Van Hooff, of Ouwens Casserly Real Estate, said the owners’ love of the Indonesian island inspired the theme, which extends throughout other parts of the house.

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The pool is the perfect spot to kick back and relax. Pic: supplied by Ouwens Casserly

There is plenty of space to entertain guests. Pic: supplied by Ouwens Casserly

“The vendors lived in Bali for two years, exchanged their wedding vows there and enjoyed numerous holidays there – this is where the inspiration came from to create the holiday feel at home,” she said.

Designed for entertaining, the heart of the home is its spacious open-plan extension at the rear of the property.

This includes a large kitchen, complete with an island bench, stainless steel appliances and a walk-in pantry.

It overlooks a spacious dining room that flows to a large living area, complete with a heater, and to a games room with a built-in bar.

A fireplace is a highlight of the living area. Pic: supplied by Ouwens Casserly

The kitchen has all the right ingredients to cook up a storm. Pic: supplied by Ouwens Casserly

The house has three bedrooms. Pic: supplied by Ouwens Casserly

Both the games room and living room open to the rear yard via large glass stacker doors.

This is where the salt-chlorinated in-ground pool, Balinese-style hut and an expansive decked area can be found.

The home’s three bedrooms are all situated towards the front of the house, which is on a 759sqm allotment.

“The internal living areas are expansive with room to create a fourth bedroom if required,” Ms Van Hooff said.

“The owners have enjoyed 20 fun-filled years in the home, but the kids have moved away and it now makes perfect sense to downsize to a smaller home.”

The house will go to auction on August 22 at 11am.

The post Henley Beach South home’s impressive backyard offers a taste of Bali appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Savvy buyer Amy Bell snared her first home in Mill Park, Whittlesea, which is being touted as a future growth market. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Househunters eyeing future price gains should target regions receiving major infrastructure spending, experiencing gentrification from “grimy” beginnings, and enticing Melburnians making an “exodus to lifestyle”.

Property pundits have identified these characteristics as precursors to long-term gains, making them the next best thing to a crystal ball when it comes to choosing where to buy.

They’ve named the Whittlesea, Mornington Peninsula, Darebin, Moreland and inner-west regions as the best bets for Melbourne buyers, alongside strong regional prospects.

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45 Goldminers Place is set to be auctioned online on August 8, with a $740,000-$780,000 price guide, in predicted growth spot Epping.

Hotspotting founder Terry Ryder tipped a coronavirus-driven tree-change trend to bolster property markets on Melbourne’s fringes and in regional Victoria for years to come.

“Regional areas and their economies have been less affected by the pandemic, which has also made people realise they can work from home effectively and don’t need to be in the big, expensive city,” he said.

Another tip-off to future price growth was infrastructure spending, My Ryder said, making areas with approved or under-construction road, public transport, shopping, hospital, school or university projects strong buying targets.

“An area like this is going have a diverse economy that’s creating jobs, and that’s important to the health of property markets,” he said.

This apartment at 3/153 Pearson Street, Brunswick is listed for private sale for $367,000.

Ever-improving amenities were a tick for the Whittlesea region in Melbourne’s outer north, which also offered affordability and strong local jobs markets.

Mr Ryder highlighted Epping ($570,000 house median) for being home to the Northern Hospital, Pacific Epping shopping centre and a train station. Other affordable options were Lalor, Mill Park, South Morang and Thomastown.

“Families and first-home buyers who don’t need to be more centrally located are seeking affordability and lifestyle (in Whittlesea),” he said. “It’s going to attract long-term demand.”

Mr Ryder said Darebin and Moreland benefited from being “nicely located” near major job nodes, university campuses, Parkville’s hospital precinct, and multiple public transport options.

Their apartment markets were affordable too, with standout postcodes including Northcote ($575,000 unit median) and Brunswick ($535,000).

17 Morris Street, Tootgarook is up for grabs for $970,000-$1.03m.

The Mornington Peninsula market had long been a winner, Mr Ryder said. And it had continued to thrive during COVID-19, with Blairgowrie, Hastings, McCrae, Rye, Safety Beach, Sorrento and Tootgarook recording rising demand against the odds in the last quarter.

“It’s partly benefited from a (coronavirus-enhanced) exodus to lifestyle, with people moving out to regional areas or fringe city areas that are still close to the capital,” he said.

As had Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong, which boasted diverse local economies as well.

This beauty at 113 Wattle Street, Bendigo is asking $760,000-$780,000.

Mr Ryder also picked Albury-Wodonga and the Latrobe Valley as future stars. The former’s strength lay in its strategically important border location and the fact its biggest employment sectors — including medical services, aged-care and the military — were “more likely to be hiring than firing” during the pandemic.

And government funding being poured into hospitals and transport links in the Latrobe Valley enhanced its investment appeal, alongside its cheap housing.

Propertyology head of research Simon Pressley agreed major infrastructure projects were “exciting” for real estate markets across Australia, with Seymour, Bendigo, Shepparton and Albury-Wodonga to notably benefit from the $10b Melbourne-to-Brisbane inland rail line.

1 Kennedy Court is on the market in hot prospect Wodonga, for $449,500.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee added plans for a fast rail from Melbourne to Geelong made the regional city a strong prospect.

She also identified Melbourne’s inner west — including Footscray, Sunshine and Kingsville — as a top buying target, noting the area was “still quite cheap and still a bit grimy, but starting to improve”.

Ms Conisbee said buyer demand, as evidenced by high levels of search activity on realestate.com.au, was another solid indicator of future growth. Suburbs in the inner east and southeast dominated Melbourne’s top 20 most in-demand suburbs of the past year, led by Hawthorn, Albert Park and South Melbourne.

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samantha.landy@news.com.au

MILL PARK JUST MADE SENSE

Ms Bell, 29, was drawn to Mill Park’s affordability and closeness to shops, transport options and her workplace. Picture: Nicki Connolly

When Amy Bell was hunting for her first home, Mill Park immediately stood out as an attractive buying spot thanks to its affordable housing and easy access to her work.

“It was also quite close to public transport, and there are lots of shopping centres nearby including Uni Hill,” the 29-year-old nurse said.

“It’s quite a leafy area too. It’s suburban, but you’re not far away from everything.”

Ms Bell snapped up a two-bedroom villa unit at auction in March, for a price close to the outer-northern suburb’s $466,850 median, and moved there from her Heidelberg rental in May.

Realestate.com.au data shows the figure has risen 35.6 per cent over the past five years, while the median house price soared 57.6 per cent to $685,000 in that time frame.

And Hotspotting’s Terry Ryder has forecast continued growth for Mill Park’s Whittlesea region, noting its affordability, access to “huge jobs nodes” and improving amenities would continue to drive buyer demand.

Ms Bell said the $25m Mill Park Leisure centre redevelopment was exciting for the area, and she’d also come to appreciate the suburb’s many parks during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

The savvy buyer settled on the postcode by seeking advice from friends who lived in the area, and from her mortgage broker.

“They had good things to say about the local market, that it an area that had a lot of growth left in it,” she said.

VICTORIA’S FUTURE GROWTH STARS

79 Chirnside Street, Kingsville is seeking a $830,000-$910,000 sale.

Property experts Terry Ryder of Hotspotting, Simon Pressley of Propertyology, Nerida Conisbee of realestate.com.au have tipped long-term price gains in these regions:

MELBOURNE

Darebin (including Fairfield, Northcote, Preston, Reservoir, Thornbury)

Moreland (including Brunswick, Brunswick East, Brunswick West, Coburg, Coburg North, Fawkner, Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park, Pascoe Vale, Pascoe Vale South)

Mornington Peninsula (including Bittern, Blairgowrie, Capel Sound, Crib Point, Dromana, Hastings, McCrae, Mornington, Mount Eliza, Mount Martha, Rosebud, Rye, Safety Beach, Somerville, Sorrento, Tootgarook)

Whittlesea (including Bundoora, Doreen, Epping, Lalor, Mernda, Mill Park, South Morang, Thomastown, Whittlesea, Wollert)

Inner west (including Footscray, Sunshine, Kingsville)

REGIONAL

Albury-Wodonga

Ballarat

Bendigo

Geelong

Latrobe Valley

Seymour

Shepparton

The post Victoria’s future real estate growth markets picked by experts appeared first on realestate.com.au.

340-342 High Street, Northcote is being marketed with $5m expectations.

A second Northcote development site linked to former Melbourne footballer Clint Bartram is being sold under mortgagee instruction.

Bartram turned to life as a developer in 2012 after a 103-game AFL career as a defender and tagger with the Demons.

But his plans to develop the 340-342 High Street site, and another Northcote project at 43-47 Simpson Street, hit a snag after the builder assigned to the projects went broke as a result of COVID-19.

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Bartram said financiers Australian Unity were obliged to list the property for procedural reasons and there was “no animosity” over their decision. He was now seeking to refinance the project and would resume building the site if successful.

However, he questioned the $5m price indicated by listing agents Gray Johnson.

“We have had two sworn valuations done at $6.3m as of two weeks ago,” Bartram said.

Renders of the proposed four-storey redevelopment show what had been planned.

Bartram in his playing days.

The High Street property — originally the London Chartered Bank of Australia — comes complete with permits for 23 apartments and four commercial spaces.

Bartram previously told the Sunday Herald Sun he looked forward to protecting the site’s heritage as he developed it as 1888 Northcote, in honour of the 1880s built high Italian Renaissance-style building.

A smaller, neighbouring building included in the listing is being sold as a retail space.

The redevelopment was planned to blend old and new inside the one-time bank.

The development began construction prior to the builder going bust, and had been expected to total more than $8m, with apartments believed to have sold between $750,000 and $1.8m.

Gray Johnson director Matt Hoath said the 1050sq m listing had a rear entrance from Balgonie Place and an enviable location in Northcote’s “central heartland”, and indicated he believed it would sell for about $5m.

“It’s a fantastic building,” Mr Hoath said.

“A developer who is proud of their work will certainly be attracted to this one. It will likely be someone who wants to deliver good owner-occupier product.”

Bartram said the residences had been in demand.

Expressions of interest for the property close on August 27.

CoreLogic records show it was purchased for $3.75m in 2016, with Bartram making the buy at the helm of TRES Property/1888 Northcote.

The Simpson Street property sold for more than $3.3m to a developer in May, though Bartram’s development firm, Corner Northcote Pty Ltd, acquired it for $4.1m last year.

The 43-47 Simpson St, Northcote property sold earlier this year.

Bartram said he received sworn valuations on that site at $4.25m at the end of March, and had also hoped to refinance that project.

He has previously disclosed he bought four Northcote sites for development, though has not revealed the addresses of the remaining two sites.

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The post Clint Bartram: Northcote bank and development site listed appeared first on realestate.com.au.

WANTED: Celebrity chef with deep pockets and lifestyle aspirations to establish Byron Shire’s next destination restaurant.

A prime 4.5ha site in the Byron Bay hinterland with approval for a 40-seat fine dining restaurant has hit the market with a $4.5 million price tag.

The view towards Byron Bay from 784 Coolamon Scenic Drive, Coorabell.

With a Pacific Ocean backdrop and vistas from Byron Bay lighthouse to Mount Chincogan, the views from 784 Coolamon Scenic Drive, Coorabell site are spectacular.

“It has all the potential to be Byron’s next destination restaurant,” said marketing agent Nick Dunn, of McGrath Byron Bay.

“Restaurants like Harvest at Newrybar and The Farm near Byron have become destinations in themselves.

“Being such a key location and a key view, the owner felt it would be a great attribute for the community for people to be able to go up there and dine.”

A restaurant and residences have been approved for the site.

Celebrity chefs hankering for a side of Byron beach lifestyle could be in the running to take on the project which requires a “substantial investment”.

“We have approached a few … Shannon Bennett is up here and even someone like Neil Perry who is retired,” Mr Dunn said.

It took three years for approval to be obtained for the restaurant along with plans for two residences joined by an entertaining area with resort-style pool.

The stunning hinterland vistas would complement the fine dining experience.

Byron Shire Council approved the plans despite opposition from some residents citing concerns over traffic and claims the development would diminish the experience of going to nearby Scarrabelotti’s Lookout, long regarded as the best vantage point in the area.

“The restaurant is DA approved so if someone buys the property they can build that restaurant tomorrow,” Mr Dunn said.

“You could holiday let the properties and operate the restaurant or amend the DA to put one big magnificent home there as well.”

The post Prime restaurant site could be Byron’s next destination eatery appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The glass-edge pool adds to the wow factor.

Nestled in the hillside overlooking Flat Rock beach in Tugun, this designer beach pad may enjoy a private position but that doesn’t mean it has gone unnoticed.

Completed late last year, the glamorous residence known as ‘Pacific’ has already featured in home magazines and is due to appear on an upcoming television series showcasing Australia’s best homes.

The outlook over Flat Rock beach from 662 Pacific Parade, Tugun.

It’s also ranked among the most-viewed properties online in Australia since it was listed.

The house, at 662 Pacific Parade, is designed by Chris Clout Design, whose glass-edge pools add serious wow factor to homes around Australia.

When viewed from the beach, the stunning 8m pool appears suspended on the third level, providing a sun-drenched ocean viewing platform with built-in beds.

Built-in sun beds make for prime ocean viewing.

“The views just go on from Surfers to Snapper Rocks, it’s really breathtaking,” said agent and owner Madonna Delaney, who shares the house with husband Tim and their children.

“We wanted our dream home to feel like a holiday beach house.”

The Plantation style gives off Caribbean coastal luxe vibes.

Considered choices make that relaxed vibe evident at every turn, from the Moreton Island driftwood handles and distressed French oak flooring to the tropical plants and oversized cane fans.

Built over four levels, the grand master suite sits at the very top providing the ultimate nightly getaway.

Wake up to water views.

A custom-made four-poster bed faces the ocean with floor-to-ceiling glass windows to maximise the morning view.

Expressions of interest close on August 31.

The post The Caribbean meets Gold Coast glamour inside designer pad appeared first on realestate.com.au.

265 Pyrites Rd, Nairne. Supplied

A Nairne home offers expansive views and plenty of room to live, work and play.

Rebecca and Jaemes Collingwood bought the property 23 years ago, creating a beautiful family home and a wonderful environment in which to raise their children.

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“The land was just a paddock, and we designed the home and built it ourselves in 1999 and established the whole property essentially,” Mrs Collingwood says. “We didn’t want flat, boring land – we wanted something that was a bit interesting and as soon as we found this property we knew it was the one, and we set about creating a beautiful open-plan family home our children could grow up in.”

265 Pyrites Rd, Nairne. Supplied

The home has five bedrooms and a study, several indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces, quality fittings and fixtures throughout, and plenty of space for kids and animals to roam.

“It’s an amazing home, I don’t think I’d change anything,” Mrs Collingwood says. “We’ve got three kids and they’ve loved living here. It’s a great party house. Back when the kids were younger we’d entertain pretty much every weekend – it was always about having a kitchen that could facilitate lots of people and an outdoor area where we could enjoy the view and summers around the spa.”

265 Pyrites Rd, Nairne. Supplied

Quality was paramount, with every aspect of the home meeting the couple’s high standards.

“Jaemes is a manufacturing jeweller – and he used to work in his own space in the shed, which was great – so it’s all about quality for him and being creative as well,” Mrs Collingwood says. “So he has done a lot of the building works around it and done it with quality and attention in mind, and I’m a perfectionist and my keen eye has run over everything he’s done and we’ve made it as perfect as it can possibly be, as well as functional as well.”

265 Pyrites Rd, Nairne. Supplied

With the family now moving to Noosa, the time has come to say goodbye to the home they have loved for more than two decades.

“We are very proud of it,” Mrs Collingwood says. “For us it’s been a real labour of love – we’ve created a house we have truly sunk our heart and soul, and our blood, sweat and tears into, and to be able to pass that on to someone else is going to be pretty special.”

265 Pyrites Rd, Nairne. Supplied

265 Pyrites Rd, Nairne

Contact agent for price

Agent: Harcourts Adelaide Hills, Trent Shorland 0412 523 723 and Kim Shorland 0413 519 954. Land size: 5ha.

The post Loved for more than two decades and ready for you appeared first on realestate.com.au.

1/31 Gardenia Grove, Sandy Bay. Picture: SUPPLIED

NESTLED at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac and surrounded by eucalypts and nature, this sophisticated townhouse – with enviable water views – provides low-maintenance luxury living.

In a peaceful and private location sitting atop Gardenia Grove, this contemporary and eco-friendly townhouse boasts sophistication, style and sweeping water views across the River Derwent.

Significant renovations and improvements have been made over the past three years, reducing its environmental impact and creating a warm and inviting living space, illuminated by LED lighting throughout.

Perched on high.

Family living.

Central and ducted heating across each level, coupled with Earthwool insulation, Asthma Foundation-approved carpet and new Honeycomb insulated blinds ensure year-round comfortable conditions.

Throughout, Pilkington e-glass windows designed to reduce glare and fading further add to the home’s energy efficiency.

Split across two generous levels, the upstairs living area is open and spacious with large, north-facing windows that capture the all-day sunshine.

The sumptuous master bedroom suite features two sizeable built-in wardrobes and a fully renovated dual-access ensuite with a skylight, shower, granite-topped vanity, a toilet and heated towel racks.

Stunning views will greet you upon waking, and the river can be seen from almost all rooms within the home.

Sleek and stylish.

Leafy surrounds.

The kitchen offers ample storage, Caesarstone benchtops, Tasmanian oak flooring and quality Gaggenau appliances, including a large oven, dishwasher and induction cooktop. Ideal for entertaining, the culinary space opens to a sun-drenched paved patio, and a separate balcony, both wonderful vantage points to take in the incredible water vista.

The laundry on this level contains a large sink, plenty of benchspace and room for necessary appliances, and opens directly to the rear courtyard.

Downstairs, there are two light-filled bedrooms with built-ins.

The contemporary bathroom on this level contains a toilet, vanity and shower.

Also on this level, there is a double-glazed mezzanine study with a custom-built Tasmanian oak desk and day bed, ample storage and a heat pump.

Clean up, look sharp.

One last look at the impressive kitchen.

For the folks who work from home, this might be the most impressive room in this impressive house.

The large garage with an electric roller door provides secure housing for one vehicle, plus space for storage and a workshop.

Minimal maintenance is required for the established gardens that surround the home.

No.1/31 Gardenia Grove in Sandy Bay is listed with Charlotte Peterswald for Property and priced at $825,000+.

The post Pristine and private, this home has got it all appeared first on realestate.com.au.

182 White Hill Road, Forcett. Picture: SUPPLIED

EVER wanted to live off the land, map a dirt bike track, tackle your own herd or chook pen?

Maybe it’s more about giving the family room to grow and explore in the convenience of their own 60ha back yard?

Nestled on this huge parcel of land at gorgeous Forcett, this property offers the privacy and rural escape people long for.

This property offers the chance to secure this well positioned, countryside family retreat.

The main residence was built with style, functionality, and convenience in mind.

It provides separate wings for the adults and children to relax or entertain at their leisure.

Spacious breakfast bar.

Toasty warmth.

The kitchen, dining and lounge area is spacious, open-plan and flows seamlessly outside via sliding doors.

The kitchen has a modern country feel with its charming cupboards and
all-white sophistication. It has stainless appliances, hotplate, sinks and plenty of preparation space for a family lifestyle. This area is tiled for easy cleaning.

From this zone, parents can comfortably keep an eye on the children as they delve into their outdoor activities.

With the wood heater roaring, where else would you rather be?

On a warm summer’s day, the owner has the choice of entertaining family and friends on the full-length front veranda or sitting back with a cuppa and enjoy scenic view of rolling hills from this idyllic setting.

Entertain indoors or out.

The gigantic shed.

Central to the “children’s wing” is the second living room, which is surrounded by three bedrooms, all with built-in wardrobes.

The main bathroom is elegant and modern with tiles, a bath for relaxing in and a toilet that is separate for added convenience.

The master bedroom is complemented by a spacious walk-in wardrobe and a sparkling ensuite.

There is a double garage and a shed that has to be seen to be believed. At 165sq m this shed has a larger floorplan than the residence – that is not a feature that people can include in their home listing very often.

The shed lends itself to various uses for the aspiring handyman, tradesman, hobbyist, or as it currently stands, it could be the perfect adult or teen space.

A bonus of having over 60ha of land is there is space enough for anything and everything – a boat, a caravan, a swag of cars or motorbikes.

Tranquil setting.

Grab the bubble bath.

It is big enough to feel like a private slice of paradise while never being too far from anything.

The property is situated 10 minutes from the Sorell township, about 20 minutes from the airport or 30 minutes from Hobart’s CBD.

No.182 White Hill Road, Forcett is priced at $640,000+ and listed with Harcourts Signature Rosny Park.

The post The bang for your buck goes a long way in Forcett appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Now could be the perfect time to buy your first home.

As lending rates for housing remain at historic lows, there is one sound reason for first homebuyers to consider buying.

The key reason for making the transition from renting to owning is not the increased government incentives but rather that owning will be cheaper than renting.

It is important the first timers critically appraise their job security before diving into ownership, as the obligations are more onerous that being a tenant.

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Just before the pandemic CoreLogic data suggested that more than a third of properties across Australia (34 per cent) had estimated mortgage repayments that were less than weekly rental repayments.

In Sydney, it occurred mainly in areas like Parramatta, Auburn and the CBD. Source: iStock

It was suggested the prospect occurred for just seven per cent of all Sydney properties. These properties were concentrated in suburbs where high levels of unit supply suppressed price growth, but there was still plenty of rental demand. These areas included Parramatta, Auburn and the Sydney CBD.

About 10 per cent of Melbourne properties were cheaper to own than rent and about 20 per cent were in this category in regional Queensland, namely the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. In Darwin, 77 per cent of properties had lower estimated mortgage repayments than rents.

The varied dynamics across theses cities has to do with how property values responded to interest rate reductions as the more property values increased in response to lower mortgage rates, the more the benefits of a low interest rate were eroded.

CoreLogic analyst Eliza Owen noted the data did not take into account the cost of a deposit when saving for a home. It will be interesting when CoreLogic run the data again after taking into account the impact of falling rentals arising from the pandemic amid the mild reduction in prices.

There has been a dip in prices. Photo by Gaye Gerard

There are also more government incentives including the decision by the NSW state government under a targeted boost, which will eliminate stamp duty on newly-built homes below $800,000 and reduce it for properties up to $1 million.

ING released a home ownership report last month that reveals almost half of millennials think COVID-19 has made homeownership more achievable.

It seems to get on top of property goals millennials are redirecting travel budgets to a home savings account (59 per cent), taking on a side hustle (37 per cent), and moving back in with their parents (36 per cent).

Almost half of Millennials (48 per cent) say they will limit their personal shopping, reduce dining out (42 per cent) and drinking (28 per cent), give up their gym (21 per cent), and date less (24 per cent) to save for their future home.

More government incentives will also help. Picture: iStock.

Zaki Ameer, founder of buyer’s agency DDP Property, said millennials recognise it’s actually much cheaper to buy property right now than rent in Sydney.

Mr Ameer calculated that current lending interest rates of around 2.19 per cent put homebuyers in a far better financial position than if they continued to rent. “To rent a one-bedroom unit in Sydney’s inner west costs around $580 a week. You could buy an identical place for $650,000 and lock-in weekly interest only loan-repayments of $260 a week. That’s a saving of over $14,000 each year, excluding the added benefits of capital appreciation on your property”, Mr Ameer said.

The post More than a third of Australian properties have mortgage repayments that are less than rent appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Hayley Granato cheers after winning the auction of 34 Killawarra Rd, Ashgrove. Photo: Debra Bela

AN ORIGINAL condition Ashgrove Queenslander that cost two years’ salary in 1972, has sold at auction for $1.31m, more than 13 times the average annual salary in Brisbane today.

It has been 48 years since this house last went to auction.

Real estate agents lost count of bidders who rushed to register for the auction of 34 Killawarra Road, Ashgrove in Brisbane’s inner west.

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“I can’t give you exact numbers, we had some late arrivals, you could say 12 to 14 bidders,” Ray White Lutwyche agent David Lazzarini said.

Yellow bidder paddles could be seen scattered through the crowd in the front yard of the 911sq m property.

“This is the strongest interest I’ve had in a property for quite some time due to the location and the land size and the prestige properties around it. It’s a grand Queenslander in good condition for it’s age. It’s 90 years old.”

The house as it looked when it was first built in circa-1930.

David and Alan Mooney’s mum and dad bought the three bedroom house at auction in 1972 for $16,000.

Alan and David Mooney with a framed copy of The Courier-Mail newspaper clipping that advertised the auction in 1972.

With their mother now settled in a nursing home, the brothers had tidied the house on its 911sq m elevated block before putting it on the market.

Inside the home at Killawarra Rd, Ashgrove.

In the auction crowd of more than 80 was Peter and Hayley Granato, whose own 1930s family home in Bardon had just gone under contract after an extensive renovation.

Hayley and Peter Granato after the auction.

“We’ve been looking for years really,” Mrs Granato said. “We renovated our last place and then had three babies and now the youngest is three so we thought maybe it’s time to renovate again.

“Pete’s cousin lives around the corner and it’s a great pocket for us, plus we needed something to move the kids into because we’ve just sold our house.”

Ray White New Farm principal and auctioneer Haesley Cush reminded everyone to social distance before starting the auction.

Bidding in the front yard started at $900,000 and rose in $50,000 lots with the Granatos joining the auction with a bid of $1.15 million. At $1.2m the property was announced on the market and bidding slowed with the Granatos bidding against a couple who currently live in Ashgrove but wanted an elevated position.

The property sits in the Avenues of Ashgrove and is only the second house to sell on Killawarra Rd in five years.

At $1.310m Ray White auctioneer Haesley Cush’s hammer fell and Mrs Granato fist-pumped the auction win.

Peter and Hayley Granato at the moment they won the auction of 34 Killawarra Rd, Ashgrove.

Property activity in Ashgrove has remained steady in the first half of 2020 compared to last year, with 115 houses selling in both periods, CoreLogic property data shows.

However the sales volume was 10 per cent higher in the first six months of 2018 when 129 houses sold.

The median sale price for houses in Ashgrove broke the $1 million mark in March and sustained that through the COVID-19 lockdown period during April, the latest property data shows.

October 2018 was the last time Ashgrove recorded a median sales price of $1 million.

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