Inman chatted with the president of the estates division at Compass about the pandemic, celebrity homebuyers and why agent self-care is more important than ever.
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Day: <span>September 12, 2020</span>
THE once-quiet Hinterland suburb of Bonogin has catapulted on to the radar of property hunters, recording the biggest jump in demand on the Gold Coast over the past 12 months.
A report provided to the Bulletin by realestate.com.au reveals a 79.2 per cent surge of interest in Bonogin in the past year.
25 Kamala Court, Bonogin recently sold for $910,000 through Kahlee Townsend of Ray White Robina.
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Research is based on high intent buyer activity on property listings site realestate.com.au.
Families searching for a treechange and small acreage lots are drawn to the Hinterland suburb, according to agents.
“A lot of people are after space for their kids to run around,” said Ray White Robina agent Kahlee Townsend, who predominantly sells at Bonogin.
“I definitely think COVID has had an impact on that (buyers wanting a lifestyle change).
“Buyers are realising that Bonogin offers value for money and you can get a really good lifestyle change to raise a family in a great community.”
39 Whiteash Road, Bonogin is on the market through Ray White Robina agent Kahlee Townsend at $895,000+.
Ms Townsend said there was not enough supply to meet demand in the Hinterland suburb from local and interstate buyers.
“I would say most if not all of the properties I have sold recently have had multiple offers,” Ms Townsend said.
Amir Prestige agent Colleen Brunt, who also lists at Bonogin, shared a similar view.
“In the past four months we’ve seen a lot more buyer interest focusing on that area,” Ms Brunt said.
“It’s so central to everything – you’re 25 minutes to the Gold Coast Airport, you’re just down the road from schools and shopping centres, and you’re not even that far from the beaches.
Colleen Brunt of Amir Prestige is marketing 204 Carrington Road, Bonogin at $1.060 million.
“Bonogin allows homeowners to be close to the city and have access to anything within a few minutes while still feeling like they’re out of the hustle and bustle.”
Bonogin is 21km southwest from Surfers Paradise and nestled between Austinville and Tallebudgera Valley.
The median house price is $860,000, up 8 per cent over 12 months, according to realestate.com.au.
The post Interest in Gold Coast suburb Bonogin soaring as buyers look for treechange appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Tom Gray on the balcony of his new beach house at Middleton. Picture: Keryn Stevens
TRAVEL bans and low interest rates are driving homebuyers to the Fleurieu Peninsula, as local real estate agents report strong sales and massive demand.
Harcourts South Coast principal Mark Forde said coronavirus had done little to deter buyers from seeking coastal homes and, if anything, had fuelled their hunger.
“We’ve had our best winter in years by a big margin,” Mr Forde said.
“It started the week before Mother’s Day, when we couldn’t do opens, and that weekend I had seven private appointments with cashed-up buyers wanting to buy waterfront property.
“Since that time, we’ve had good numbers at opens.”
Mr Forde said that demand had continued to grow, with strong inquiries from local buyers and expats overseas and interstate, particularly Victoria. That had driven down the average days on market from last year’s 102 to just 68 over July and August.
“People can’t travel and can’t go overseas for the next few years, so they think ‘let’s buy a beach house and get down the coast’,” he said.
According to realestate.com.au data, Victor Harbor’s median house price has increased by 11 per cent over the past three months to $365,000.
McLaren Vale houses are up by 11.5 per cent over the same period to $480,000, while houses at Goolwa, with a median of $360,000, are up 16.1 per cent.
Mr Forde said the area’s affordability and historic low interest rates were also a strong factor.
“Winter was great, this month has continued like the past three and it’s looking like that will continue throughout summer as well,” Mr Forde said.
Tom Gray on the balcony of his new beach house at Middleton. Picture: Keryn Stevens
LJ Hooker Fleurieu principal John McGarry said buyers were hungry for properties. “It would be very rare over the past three months to have been dealing with just the one hopeful purchaser,” he said.
Financial adviser Tom Gray bought a Middleton beach house for his family last month after struggling to find the right beach house to rent in recent years.
“I think with COVID, it’s going to get even harder,” Mr Gray said.
“So we bit the bullet and bought a place where we can holiday together and I’ll work down here part-time.
“The plan is to keep it for the next 20 years or so, so it should see some good value growth in that time.”
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The post Big wave of seaside sales make Fleurieu Peninsula a hit appeared first on realestate.com.au.
70 Cricklewood Road, Heathfield. Supplied by Williams Real Estate
A Heathfield home offers the ultimate Hills lifestyle and is ideal for entertaining and perfect for animal lovers, its owners say.
Michelle and Andy Madgwick bought the Cricklewood Rd home in 2008 and say it was a case of ‘love at first sight’.
70 Cricklewood Road, Heathfield. Supplied by Williams Real Estate
“It’s a beautiful home and we just felt such a strong emotional pull to the property,” she says.
The couple bought it as a four bedroom cottage, and have since renovated it throughout – adding a spacious rear extension, a parents retreat for the master suite, a study, a side veranda, transforming a bedroom into a teenage retreat, opening up a dining room and lounge room, upgrading the gardens and fencing throughout the 1.7ha property.
70 Cricklewood Road, Heathfield. Supplied by Williams Real Estate
The home has a formal living room towards the front and a covered terrace with a spa at the side, as well as an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area at the rear.
“We’ve kept the original part of the house and modernised the back and, given how well it flows from indoors to out, it’s absolutely amazing for entertaining,” Mrs Madgwick says.
70 Cricklewood Road, Heathfield. Supplied by Williams Real Estate
“What really captures you when you visit the home is that amazing area out under the oak tree,” Mrs Madgwick says. “Sitting down in there, you could be sitting anywhere in Europe. And that breakfast bar in the kitchen – we made that double width so you can sit about 10 people around it. In the past 12 months we’ve added the deck at the side and then we’ve got the spa deck as well, so it’s a great entertaining house.”
70 Cricklewood Road, Heathfield. Supplied by Williams Real Estate
Mrs Madgwick says guests are surprised to find just how much land they have, given they are just eight minutes from the tollgate.
“To able to have horses here this close to the city is great,” she says. “We’ve got the full-size sand arena which is floodlit and we’ve got beautiful stables and hot water wash bays, so whether it’s just for pleasure or whether you’re seriously competing, it’s got the facilities here.”
70 Cricklewood Road, Heathfield. Supplied by Williams Real Estate
With the couple’s children now having moved on, the time has come to downsize, with the Madgwicks saying they have absolutely no intention of leaving the Adelaide Hills.
70 Cricklewood Road, Heathfield. Supplied by Williams Real Estate
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70 Cricklewood Road, Heathfield. Supplied by Williams Real Estate
70 Cricklewood Rd, Heathfield
Contact agent for price
Agent: Williams Real Estate in conjunction with Hunt Lifestyle, Dee-Anne Hunt 0411 555 774.
Land size: 1.7ha.
Expressions of interest: Close Tuesday, September 29 at noon.
The post 70 Cricklewood Rd, Heathfield: Heathfield haven perfect for both human and horse appeared first on realestate.com.au.
A PALM Beach penthouse touted as having the best rooftop pool on the Gold Coast is on the market with a $3.995 million price tag.
The two-level 450sq m apartment is in new development 77 Jefferson, which was completed last month.
The luxury penthouse at 9/77 Jefferson Lane, Palm Beach is on the market.
Entertain in style.
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“It’s got such a point of difference compared to other penthouses on the Coast,” said Olindah Property Group’s James Meredith, who is marketing the property alongside Nicole Riley.
“Exclusive to the penthouse is a large pool, kitchenette, undercover barbecue, 5.4m stone bench, sunrise and sunset lounges, dining area and bathroom facilities.
“It’s an entertainer’s dream.”
The penthouse offers views south to Coolangatta.
Find a better spot to relax on the Gold Coast.
He said the outlook from the penthouse stretched as far south as Coolangatta and back to the Surfers Paradise skyline and beyond.
“As far as the view goes, you’ve got everything you could ever want,” he said.
The four-bedroom penthouse also features timber floors, glass stacker doors and a butler’s pantry.
Inside the luxury abode.
Views from every room.
Developer BluePoint Property is behind the 10-level apartment building, which features eight full floor apartments.
The project was designed by Bureau Proberts and built by Hutchinson Builders.
“The penthouse is the only apartment still available as all the others sold off-the-plan early on,” Mr Meredith said.
“It was under contract for a while but has recently come back on the market.”
Make a splash in the rooftop pool.
Mr Meredith expected strong interest in the penthouse as the spring selling season kicked up a gear.
“Palm Beach is obviously a hot suburb at the moment,” he said.
“To assist with the demand of interstate and foreign inquiry, the online listing includes an interactive virtual tour, along with a fly-through video to showcase the property.
“Some inquiries requested an inspection via Facetime and were comfortable purchasing a property at this level site unseen.”
The post Is this the best rooftop pool on the Gold Coast? appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Opendoor is in talks to go public with Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. II, a blank-check company that acquires other companies and takes them public.
Live next door to this incredible man-made waterfall.
The timing is exquisite.
Four years in the making, the Waterfall apartment project by Crown Group has been completed with the world’s tallest man-made waterfall in a residential building. The COVID-19 lockdown has certainly focused attention on city living with amenities, from a health and motivational perspective.
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While some suggest the popularity of high rise inner city locations is going to decline given the impact of the pandemic, there’s certainly a heightened wish for apartments that make an effort when it comes to the mental wellbeing of the occupants.
“The lockdown compels us to rethink and to up the ante from just constructing sustainable buildings to sustainable living when it comes to health and wellness,” said leading Sydney developer Iwan Sunito, the chief of Crown.
The waterfall is 22m high.
He said science has shown the many health benefits of being close to natural elements.
“Water is considered the elixir and source of life,” he said. “The mere sight and sound of water can induce a flood of neurochemicals that promote wellness, increase blood flow to the brain and heart and induce relaxation.
“The pure relaxation and calmness that takes over you when listening to the sounds of nature such as leaves rustling in the wind or water flowing down a stream is not something that happens randomly.”
His $400 million residential project, Waterfall features 331 apartments plus a retail and dining precinct, which also includes a dog grooming salon. The development was designed by Adam Haddow, of architects SJB, who says the 22m waterfall set amid gardens sets a new benchmark for biophilic design.
It was designed by Waterforms International’s Dirk Slotboom who says it posed complex design challenges including being in a high wind zone, with the need for minimal noise and splash for residents.
Green spaces are a highlight of the development.
The green walls were created by living infrastructure specialists Junglefy using tropical plants.
“With cities becoming more urbanised, we design spaces that connect people with nature throughout their daily lives,” Junglefy’s managing director Jock Gammon said.
Sunito said he saw Waterfall as leading “the urban greening revolution in Australia”.
Crown also identified the positive effects of harnessing the power of timber in their projects.
A Planet Ark study several years ago found that workers are less stressed and more productive, students learn better, patients heal faster, and people are generally happier and calmer in indoor areas which contain wooden elements.
Crown Group’s upcoming development, Mastery by Crown Group, also in Sydney’s Waterloo, will see extensive use of timber.
Surrounded by nature.
Sunito recalls it was upon meeting architect Kengo Kuma that he thought seriously about that notion that people respond viscerally to natural materials.
“The more you think about it, the more you realise that a thing like a piece of timber is not lifeless, it is full of life,” he said.
The centrepiece apartment block features a plant-filled, green exterior designed to emulate a stacked forest. Kuma has collaborated with local award-winning architect Koichi Takada on the project.
“Being in nature makes us feel good,” Takada said.
The post Waterfall development in Sydney’s inner city with man-made waterfall complete after four years appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Homebuyers Don and Dulani Wijesundara and son Movi, 7 with Ashbury sales consultant Sharee Hase. Picture: Peter Ristevski
The emerging Geelong suburb renowned for its Game of Thrones themed streets is rising in the ratings with homebuyers.
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is obvious, with Charlemont, Armstrong Creek and Mount Duneed experiencing some of the best year on year growth in buyer demand, realestate.com.au data shows.
Charlemont, where the median house price is $516,000, topped the list with demand rising 146 per cent.
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Big fans of Game of Thrones Bryce and Lisa Torney and son William were pictured in Winterfell Rd, Charlemont in 2019. Picture: Glenn Ferguson
It’s part of the Armstrong Creek growth area that will add 60,000 residents to Geelong’s population when completed.
The main Charlemont Rise estate features Game of Thrones street names like Winterfell Road, Sandor Terrace and Snow Street.
The growth area’s population hit 17,000 this year, City of Greater Geelong chief executive officer Martin Cutter told a UDIA conference last week.
This four-bedroom house at 5 Sandor Terrace, Charlemont, is selling for $515,000 to $545,000.
Biggest year-on-year growth in demand
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Source: realestate.com.au. Change in demand over 12 months to August, 2020
Metricon Homes regional west manager Simon Taylor said first-home buyers were fuelling the robust growth, with incentives like the HomeBuilder scheme.
“Metricon new home sales across Geelong and the Surf Coast are incredibly strong, as is buyer’s confidence, particularly given we are in a recession and seeing rising unemployment,” he said.
“In Geelong and the Surf Coast we are experiencing record activity as savvy buyers seize the opportunity to secure a new home away from Melbourne, with evidence that location is something customers are now looking at differently.
New Armstrong Creek Town Centre shopping centre located in the fastest growing area in Victoria seven kilometres south-west of Geelong
“With many organisations looking to embrace working from home beyond COVID-19 restrictions, a home in our communities are now being viewed more favourably — particularly if you are only commuting a few days per week as opposed to the full 5 days or can work entirely from home.”
Coastal communities are also rising with activity St Leonards and Torquay up more than 50 per cent, and more interest in Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Anglesea, Curlewis and Point Lonsdale.
Metricon display homes in Armstrong Creek.
There’s a mix of Geelong suburbs also finding more favour.
Buyer demand has risen 36 per cent in Newtown, and 34 per cent in Manifold Heights and Belmont.
More affordable areas like Newcomb and Hamlyn Heights are also drawing more buyers.
Whitford, Newtown agent Dale Whitford said the appeal of traditional suburbs like Newtown was strongest for families with children, but as values rose, people started to look further afield.
11 Chesterfield Court, Newtown, is a renovation or redevelopment prospect scheduled for auction on September 26, with price hopes of $780,000 to $840,000.
“Belmont has been stunningly successful,” he said.
“It’s that ripple effect? How important is it to have a quality of life in your house, or is it the mortgage.”
Buxton, Geelong agent Ben Riddle said it was clear people were prioritising lifestyle, but the strongest growth were in areas that were really affordable.
“The beauty of Geelong is its always supplied a diverse range of property for different budgets,” he said.
19 Claremont Ave, Newtown, is listed at the top end of the suburb’s market with price hopes of $2.1 million to $2.25 million.
“One thing that we all enjoy, regardless of the suburb, is great schooling, great lifestyle, got access to those beach pockets and treechange areas.”
Realestate.com.au measures demand according to the number of visits to property listings and buyer interactions, including saving and sharing properties and contacting agents.
Suburbs with more than 30 sales and 30 listings over 12 months to August are included.
Most in-demand suburbs
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Source: realestate.com.au
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The post Why homebuyers are chasing these Geelong hotspots appeared first on realestate.com.au.
The home is open to offers until September 17.
Drawing on the architectural style of the Renaissance, the Castlebar Cove apartment building stands out among its peers along the riverside at Kangaroo Point.
Topped by two domes, it wouldn’t look out of place in a Florentine vista. Yet its real crowning glory is the grand penthouse, a monumental apartment spanning two storeys, which the owners refer to as their “house in the sky”.
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The view from 2111/39 Castlebar Street, Kangaroo Point.
And why not? At 726 sqm the apartment is far bigger than many family homes and has 180-degree views that take in the city, Brisbane River and the majestic Story Bridge.
Mick and Jenny Marsh bought the apartment off the builder in 2010. He had
kept the penthouse for himself for four years, but never lived in it, so it was, Jenny said, like new.
The mesmerising spiral staircase.
The Marshes were living in a house in Ashgrove at the time and didn’t move in until 2014, after which they decided to give the place a top-to-bottom renovation, enhancing the European style to which the rest of the building is aligned.
Out went some of the wood panelling and in came intricate wallpaper, parquetry flooring, fireplace mantles and marble countertops — very Euro chic.
The dining room table has been in the family for more than 35 years. The owner had it upcycled to fit the European-look decor.
Much of the design was down to Jenny.
“The wallpaper is absolutely beautiful and I had a touch of black and white put in the laundry because I have always liked black and white tiles. There’s a gorgeous dining room table, which I’ve had for 35 years, from the house in which we used to live in Toowoomba. I managed to modernise it by changing the seating to striped cushions and painting the wood black. Everyone comments on how well it fits in with the decor.
“
One of the outdoor entertaining spaces.
I also put some stained-glass in the doors, which I am very proud of, to break up the bits of wood in the entryway.”
Jenny said the couple had never considered living in an apartment before buying in Castlebar Cove.
The European-feel to the decor suits that of the rest of the building.
“We were tossing up whether to buy a house, but when we saw this we just fell in love with it,” she said. “It’s not only the apartment, it’s a really nice block to live in. The residents are so friendly and the amenities, gardens and swimming pool are like those in a resort.”
The stained-glass doors in the entryway.
The apartment has its own pool, but the owners also have use of the luxurious resort-style pool and facilities on lower levels.
The floor plan echoes that of a traditional home, living spaces and the guest accommodation on the lower level and bedrooms above, with the two joined by an elegant staircase. Its soft spiralling curves could keep you mesmerised all day were it not for that other distraction — the view.
Whether it be through the floor-to-ceiling windows or from the wraparound balconies, the city of Brisbane is laid out before you at every turn.
“You never get tired of that,” Jenny said.
“We just love it and the lovely breezes that flow through all around. It’s a beautiful apartment to live in.”
An outdoor area.
DETAILS
2111/39 Castlebar Street, Kangaroo Point
4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 parking spaces, 2 pools
Agent Sarah Hackett, Place Bulimba
Contact 0488 355 553
The house is open to offers until 3pm on September 17.
The post Kangaroo Point penthouse is like a house in the sky appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Street appeal – 64 Catherine St, St Ives.
You won’t be doing yourself any favours if you don’t at least take a peek inside this near new home.
Set in a leafy, peaceful cul-de-sac close to Surgeon White Reserve ant the St Ives shopping village, it ticks all the boxes for families of all ages.
And with a bedroom and ensuite on the ground floor, 64 Catherine St, St Ives, is also ideal for multi-generational family living.
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The full height foyer leads past the bedroom, media room and laundry to the L-shaped open plan living and dining space that wraps around the kitchen with an impressive island bench and butler’s pantry.
Sliding doors off both the living and dining area lead to a covered outdoor dining space with Travertine tiled floor, which overlooks the gas-heated pool and child-friendly rear lawn, framed by easy-care gardens.
Bring on summer.
There are multiple living spaces.
The private north-to-rear aspect offers peaceful views over Garigal National Park.
The home’s remaining five bedrooms are located on the first floor, including the main bedroom, which stretches the width of the back. A walk-in-robe leads to the ensuite with freestanding bath and glass shower.
The other four bedrooms also have a mix of built-in and walk-in robes, and there is a study nook on this level.
The rear terrace overlooks the pool.
The kitchen.
Other features of the home include ducted airconditioning, automated fittings, solar system, internal access to the double garage, and additional off street parking.
This is a significant property, and a landmark listing for Daniel Cook, of McGrath St Ives.
He and his father Mark have just rebranded under the McGrath banner, and have hit the ground running with eight new listings, including this gem in Catherine St.
Mr Cook said the home was ideal for large and growing families.
“You’ve got the flexibility for the largest of families not to be stepping on each other’s toes,” he said.
“It will also appeal to the young family busting out of a smaller house looking for their forever home.”
The home goes to auction on September 30, with a guide of $3.3 million to $3.5 million. For more details, contact Mr Cook, or Michael Crawshaw, of McGrath St Ives.
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The post St Ives home ticks all the boxes for multi-generational family living appeared first on realestate.com.au.