Sprawling lifestyle properties in regional areas drew the eyes of Australian property seekers in the first half of 2020, dominating a new list of the most viewed homes in the country.
Search activity data from realestate.com.au has reinforced the trend of prospective buyers looking outside of the big cities amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with secluded bush settings, coastal retreats and metropolitan mansions appearing high on wishlists.
A grand sandstone manor in Sydney’s Hills Shire attracted nearly 300,000 views, with property seekers no doubt impressed by its size and facilities, including six bedrooms, eight bathrooms and enough space to park up to 61 cars.
This sandstone beauty in Dural attracted almost 300,000 views. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Spanning 2.23ha, 50 Carters Road in Dural features business and residential zoning and has a 14-car garage, separate one-bedroom guest cottage and a media production studio space.
Listing agent Megan MacKay, from Ray White Frenchs Forest, said buyers were attracted to the property’s high level of amenity and its self-contained nature, among nature.
“We’re still seeing strong volume of interest, particularly from family groups who have the ability to work from home and are looking for community living,” Ms MacKay said. “They also like the aesthetic, the infrastructure and the quality of the build.”
Also in New South Wales, a tropical oasis in the Northern Rivers region made Australians swoon with its palm-tree setting and coastal-chic styling.
House hunters could not resist this slice of paradise in Bangalow. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Set on a 1,344sqm land holding with four bedrooms, a pool, studio, fire pit and loft, 6 Burrawan Place in Bangalow presented a fantasy hideaway for social distancing during the early days of isolation. This translated into a sale in April.
Nerida Conisbee, chief economist at realestate.com.au, said the unusual landscape of the coronavirus pandemic has affected the type of property and location home buyers want.
She said areas such as the Central Coast and Southern Highlands of New South Wales had regularly appeared in search activity this year, as well as Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
“It appears that during COVID-19, affordability may be of less importance to property buyers in regional areas and that lifestyle factors are becoming more important,” Ms Conisbee said.
“People are perhaps looking for bigger places to live and aren’t currently tied to a central workplace.”
Homes in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia featured in the list of top 10 most viewed listings, attracting the highest number of views on realestate.com.au between January and the end of June 2020.
The one property listing to buck the ‘lifestyle’ trend surprisingly claimed the top spot: a ‘renovator’s dream’ in North Gosford, featuring a comical promotional video from the selling agent that went viral.
Here are the 10 most popular homes for sale in Australia in 2020:
1. 1 Linden Street, North Gosford NSW
While the house itself is nothing to write home about, some tongue-in-cheek marketing from Gittoes agent, Richard Faulkner certainly drew in the views – more than 330,000 to be specific.
1 Linden St, Gosford North is a true renovator’s delight. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
In a video tour of 1 Linden St, Mr Faulker described the four-bedroom house as having a “mould splashback” and “one-of-a-kind stained carpet”, with holes in the walls simply the previous tenants “starting the demolition process”.
The home went to auction on 22 August and sold for $535,000 – $85,000 above the $450,000 guide.
2. 50 Carters Road, Dural NSW
The luxury six-bedroom residence presents a range of opportunities for lifestyle and business, with a raft of resort-style features.
It is for sale by expressions of interest.
50 Carters Rd, Dural was the second most viewed listing in Australia since January. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
3. 6 Burrawan Place, Bangalow NSW
Spanning 1,344sqm, the stunning lifestyle property in Bangalow was snapped up by a lucky buyer in April.
This Bangalow home attracted plenty of attention. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
4. 25 Paperbark Drive, Pokolbin NSW
Another dreamy country escape, this Hamptons-style home in the Hunter Valley has captured imaginations with its high-end design and expansive grounds.
This Hamptons-style home in Pokolbin has impressed. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The five-bedroom home at 25 Paperbark Drive in Pokolbin is on the market by expressions of interest.
5. 446 Maleny-Kenilworth Road, Witta QLD
Coming in at number five was this charming, renovated 1920s Queenslander on the Sunshine Coast, set on a whopping 4,000sqm.
This cottage in Witta, Queensland, is one of the most viewed listings in Australia. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The beautifully presented interiors and gardens of this Witta cottage made an impression and it is now under offer.
6. 32 Avenel Gardens Road, Medindie SA
One of the few properties on the list in a central location, this renovated period villa in Adelaide has breathtaking interiors that design-lovers, well, loved.
This striking Medindie home made the top 10. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
Impressive both inside and out, the four-bedroom Medindie home is now under contract.
7. 215 Clarke Street, Northcote VIC
This spectacular Federation Queen Anne home in Melbourne’s north has been snapped up – but not before hitting more than 130,000 views.
The circa 1912 home on Clarke Street in Northcote sold in May for $3.6 million.
215 Clarke St, This Northcote home is an ode to the past. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
8. 12 Watson Street, Camp Hill QLD
Another Hampton-style home in Brisbane’s prestigious Camp Hill, 12 Watson Street epitomises the popular coastal-luxe style.
This prestigious home in Camp Hill has a coastal-luxe vibe. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
The stunning five-bedroom home sold in June for over $1.78 million.
9. 36 Jacksons Road, Mount Eliza VIC
Set in Mount Eliza’s Golden Mile, just metres from Port Phillip Bay, this five-bedroom mansion is clearly a dream for many Victorian property seekers, attracting more than 120,000 views. It is still on the market.
10. 14 Williams Road, Heathfield SA
One of the most unique listings in the top 10, this award-winning architectural masterpiece is definitely a looker. Located on 2.62ha in the Adelaide Hills, 14 Williams Road in Healthfield is a striking achievement – and still available.
The post Lifestyle the new X factor in list of 10 most viewed homes in 2020 appeared first on realestate.com.au.