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Pandemic fallout prompts seller to offer to pay buyer’s stamp duty

The vendor of 50 Overlea Street, Nudgee, has offered to pay the stamp duty of whoever buys the home.

A homeowner has taken matters into her own hands, offering to pay tens of thousands in stamp duty for the person who buys her home, hoping to drive in offers faster for the property.

After just over two months on the market, Jennifer Lonton decided to add a sweetener to her home sale, offering to pay what could end up being just over $24,000 in stamp duty for the person who buys the property.

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Open plan living.

Well set up for anyone needing to work from home.

“We have decided to offer to pay the purchaser’s stamp duty in an attempt to get things moving,” she said.

The home at 50 Overlea Street, Nudgee, has been listed for sale with the owners open to offers over $860,000.

“We had the house built in 2008. The people who have inspected it all said that it looks brand new,” Mrs Lonton said. “The photos on the internet show it exactly as it is.”

Wheelchair friendly inside and out.

The master bedroom and ensuite.

The family hopes to downsize into another suburb in Brisbane’s northside after the sale.

Agent Margaret Edwards of @realty described the property as an “exceptional family home, designed with a professional couple in mind”.

She said it would “enable you to work from home in the spacious, purpose-built and fully-fitted office/study”.

The home has been set up with luxury finishes.

The home has a 324sq m internal area and an additional 54sq m external area under the roof.

It has five bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage on a 766sq m block.

“The extra-large garage will accommodate two 4×4 vehicles, plus workshop and hobby areas,” was how it was listed.

The property was built to be wheelchair friendly throughout including the garage. It also has solar hot water plus a solar power system, with Crimsafe security screen on all windows with glazed doors.

“This dwelling is located in a quiet street in an elevated part of Nudgee, surrounded by other quality homes. There is also a lovely park at the end of the street and direct access to the network of Brisbane bikeways.”

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How restrictions are impacting Gold Coast open homes and auctions

SPRING property hunters heading for open homes and auctions this weekend should be prepared to spread out and wait with COVID restrictions now in place.

From 8am last Saturday, the Queensland Government limited Gold Coast gatherings inside and outside people’s homes to 10 people in response to two new coronavirus cases at Pimpama.

The move caused some confusion among real estate agents who were uncertain whether the direction applied to businesses carrying out essential activities.

Spring property hunters heading for open homes and auctions on the Gold Coast this weekend should be prepared to spread out and wait.

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The state’s peak real estate body has confirmed the 10-person limit includes public onsite auctions as well as open home and rental property inspections.

“Our reading of the direction is that it does apply to real estate practitioners and auctioneers conducting open home inspections as well as auctions,” said REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella.

Restrictions coincided with the start of the busy spring selling season, with hundreds of house hunters expected to visit homes across the city this weekend.

QLD_GCB_REALESTATE_AUCTION_10AUG2020

An auction at 1525 Riverdale Drive, Hope Island earlier this month. Photograph: Jason O’Brien

People intending to bid at auction were advised to pre-register to ensure they were included in the head count allowed on site.

A charming renovated residence at Southport attracted 42 groups to the first open inspection last Saturday, with prospective buyers forced to line up along the street.

McGrath-Surfers Paradise agent Mark Saveall said the session was extended to make sure everyone was able to see inside while complying with restrictions and social distancing.

“People were spread out down the street due to the COVID situation,” he said.

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The Bottleworks: Heritage factory conversion to take centre stage in Geelong’s Big Shed redevelopment

The former Geelong Glass Works will become an internal feature of The Bottleworks development in Fitzroy St, Geelong.

A residential development of Geelong’s Big Shed will unearth a historic factory building hidden from view for decades.

The former Geelong Glass Works operated in the 1920s on the Fitzroy Street site, before a range of businesses, including woolbrokers Dennys Lascelles Ltd expanded the warehouse that was ultimately used as a furniture store for several decades.

Hygge Property director Adam Davidson said The Bottleworks would create 33 architect-designed two-, three- and four-bedroom townhouses surrounding the heritage building.

Artists renders show how the external facade would look on Fitzroy St at The Bottleworks development in Geelong.

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Chamberlain Architects worked closely with Hygge Property, Niche Planning Studios and City of Greater Geelong to create the site’s masterplan that involves restoring the two-storey warehouse.

It will be revealed at the heart of a central garden area that will be a focal point for the surrounding two-storey townhouses.

Once restored, it will be converted to provide seven apartments.

Internal renders show a living area in The Bottleworks development at Geelong.

The surrounding warehouse will be demolished, but the skillion roofs, colours and building form of the two-storey townhouses will echo the history of the site, Mr Davidson said.

“If we had been able to flatten the site and put houses and streets right through it more tightly, it just wouldn’t have been as appealing,” he said.

“In some ways the heritage building is a constraint, but it is also a blessing.

“That design ensures that all the future residents can have views towards the heritage building. “There is a footpath that goes right through the site that will be open to the public as well.”

Two-bedroom homes will be available from $589,000, up to $809,000 for a four-bedroom townhouse.

Internal artists renders show a kitchen in The Bottleworks development in Geelong.

Interior designs will reflect the industrial past will have engineered timber floors and brushed brass tapware.

Mr Davidson said he expected the project would attract professionals and second-home buyers who would enjoy the position close to South Geelong train station, central Geelong and Little Creatures brewery.

“This is one of the lat sites in central Geelong surrounded by existing homes and infrastructure, so we’re very pleased to deliver a project that is deserving of the setting,” he said.

Artists renders showing a bedroom in The Bottleworks development in Geelong.

“Part of what makes The Bottleworks special is we only have two-storey dwellings.

“We didn’t do any three-storey homes — even the apartments are within an existing two-storey building — and that was because we wanted to try and make it more family oriented.

“That’s where the market is slightly different, they have a little but more money but want something more customised and boutique designed homes and can still get into the centre of town but equally can walk over to Little Creatures as well.”

Internal renders of The Bottleworks development in Geelong showing a bathroom.

Work is scheduled to start on the site later this year.

Glenvill Homes has been appointed to build the new homes. Construction is scheduled to finish mid-2022.

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Architect Matt Thitchener sells landmark Forresters Beach home for 2020 suburb high

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The iconic Forresters Beach home of architect Matt Thitchener has sold for $3.5m.

A breathtaking Central Coast property has claimed one of the highest sale prices in Forresters Beach after selling for $3.5m.

The landmark home of prominent architect Matt Thitchener and wife Jenny, came after only two weeks on the market with Belle Property Killcare’s Baraka Leporte.

CoreLogic confirms the property is the second most expensive home to ever sell in Forresters Beach after the $3.95m sale of 10 South Scenic Road in 2016, and the highest recorded price since 2018.

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The sleek contemporary home was purchased by a buyer from Sydney.

It is also substantially more than the $2.9m-$3.1m guide quoted on the property at the beginning of the year by another agency, according to CoreLogic.

The buyers are a Sydney family who had never heard of Forresters Beach before being shown the property by Mr Leporte. They plan to use the designer residence as a weekender after edging out a local and another Sydneysider for the keys.

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The home had direct access to the beach via the national park.

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The gym has a sauna.

The stellar result comes as the Central Coast market continues to go from strength to strength. CoreLogic figures released on Tuesday showed Central Coast was only region in Sydney to record positive price growth over the past three months — up by 0.5 per cent. This compares to a decline of 2.1 per cent for the rest of Sydney.

Mr Leporte said Sydneysiders with money to spend were driving growth as more people look to take advantage of flexible working arrangements.

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The sleek kitchen has a breakfast bar and gas appliances.

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“The Bunker” has the capacity to park four cars.

“COVID-19 is seeing people wanting to get out of the city into lifestyle locations like the Central Coast,” he said.

“Buyers who were looking for a weekender here, are now wanting to make it permanent, and therefore have bigger budgets to spend.”

The Forresters Beach home is an area icon with three glass-wrapped levels for living and entertaining. It was designed by Mr Thitchener after he acquired the landholding 13 years ago for $675,000.

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The main bedroom has a courtyard, deck and high ceilings.

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The ensuite has a frameless shower and a bathtub.

With spectacular views stretching across Forresters Beach to Terrigal, the four-bedroom home includes a games room, gym, multiple living rooms and is built to withstand a category five cyclone.

Other features include a Caesarstone kitchen, integrated sound system, underfloor heating, wine cellar and a main bedroom with a frameless shower and a courtyard. There is also two double garages joined by an undercover passage dubbed “The Bunker”, which offers parking for another four cars.

The property also has direct beach access via Wyrrabalong National Park

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Wildwood: Woodend’s enchanting Wind in the Willows home

2 Morris Road, Woodend - for herald sun real estate

2 Morris Road, Woodend is known as Wildwood for its impressive gardens.

A high-profile horticulturist family are selling the Woodend home they describe as their fairytale address evoking The Wind in the Willows.

And despite their agent dubbing the home known as Wildwood “a bloody wonderland”, there’s a chance buyers could give it the axe.

The 5300sq m property named Wildwood at 2 Morris Road was home to former Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne director and a National Garden Scheme trustee Richard Barley.

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He was also Open Gardens Australia chief executive, but has relocated to London in the UK for a post as The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew horticulture director.

Anita, his wife, is a celebrated botanical illustrator — including being appointed the first illustrator at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne in 90 years. Her work has been exhibited across Australia and the globe.

2 Morris Road, Woodend - for herald sun real estate

The house peaks out between 100-year-old trees and floral gardens.

2 Morris Road, Woodend - for herald sun real estate

The leafy 5300sq m estate has enchanted buyers from afar.

The pair are selling the 1920s-built home that Mr Barley said had always made them think of Kenneth Grahame’s beloved children’s book The Wind in the Willows.

“The garden of Wildwood has always had the feeling of a leafy sanctuary for us, so the association with Wind in the Willows seemed to fit very well,” Mr Barley said.

“The fairytale came true for us, and we loved living there until the opportunity to move to the UK arose.”

2 Morris Road, Woodend - for herald sun real estate

The home has been decorated with botanical artworks by Anita Barley over the journey.

2 Morris Road, Woodend - for herald sun real estate

Scarlet oaks and other European and North American trees turn myriad colours in autumn.

He said the relaxed garden with 100-year-old trees often had a romantic feel and would soon enjoy a profusion of daffodils and other bulbs appearing in the gardens, while rhododendrons, wisteria and roses would flower as spring warmed.

Jellis Craig’s Tom May is handling the $1.1-$1.2m listing and said it had attracted significant interest from Melbourne, mostly from families enchanted by its gardens — despite some having grown a little wilder than normal in the owners’ absence.

2 Morris Road, Woodend - for herald sun real estate

The home has been aptly named.

2 Morris Road, Woodend - for herald sun real estate

The home’s kitchen comes with plenty of rustic charm.

“It’s like a bloody wonderland, the garden,” Mr May said.

“It would be a great space to be a kid.”

Despite the green appeal, most buyers had noted the property is spread over three crown allotments and could be subdivided.

“Most people looking at it love the garden and would have trouble coming to that conclusion, but there’s no heritage overlays, so you can,” Mr May said.

2 Morris Road, Woodend - for herald sun real estate

The home’s windows frame leafy views from every angle.

2 Morris Road, Woodend - for herald sun real estate

Productive fruit trees provide fresh apples among other delights.

The house itself also needs “an injection of money”, but its character-filled floorplan includes three fireplaces across its lounge room, dining room and kitchen. Two bedrooms include one with an ensuite, while a sitting room could serve as a third.

Timber floors, leadlight windows and decorative cornices complete the period charm.

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St Ives property comes with a cracking man cave and garage

Dream garage – 50 Flinders Ave, St Ives.

If you are still wondering what to give dad this Father’s Day, here is an idea right out of the box.

It will especially suit the dad who’s hard to buy for – although it will cost more than a pair of socks or jocks.

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Meet 50 Flinders Ave, St Ives. A standout home, with just about every feature you could ever need – and then some you didn’t even know you wanted.

Like the showroom-style, five-car garage with luxury man cave that would be right up there as one of the best Father’s Day gifts ever.

There is room for all the toys and a stylish side room ideal for a couple of lounges and a big TV – or turn it into an up-market workshop.

And that’s just the beginning at this one-year-old Homestead Homes-built property.

More showroom than garage.

The man cave.

A remote-controlled lift takes you from the garage to each of the home’s two upper levels.

Set on the high side of the road with a north-to-rear aspect, the home has impressive street appeal and easy access.

James Levy, of Ray White Upper North Shore, said the home was exceptional in every way, from the design to the level of luxury finishes throughout.

Street appeal.

Summer ready.

Soaring ceilings and open plan living and dining areas enhance the feeling of space, and walls of bifolds and sliders stack away to bring the outside in.

The home accommodates every season with ease – a gas fireplace in the family room keeps the winter out, and the outdoor living spaces, level lawn and tiled pool bring the summer in.

Another great feature of the home are the two main bedrooms – one on each floor.

Outdoor living.

Indoor living.

Mr Levy said this was creating plenty of interest from families looking for enough space for multi-generational living.

“This is a very unique home, not only from the accommodation point of view,” he said.

“It’s also one of the best streets in St Ives and close to everything.

“This is not a standard home, it’s not a home you’re going to walk into have seen anywhere before. It’s a standout.”

The property is scheduled to go to auction on September 19, with a price guide of $4.5 million to $4.95 million.

For more details, contact Mr Levy or David Walker, also of Ray White Upper North Shore.

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