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SOME are home to mega mansions and sprawling acreage retreats while others are prime locations for units.

A few simply offer bargain buys for house hunters.

Tracking online searches by potential buyers over the past three years, property portal realestate.com.au has revealed the Gold Coast’s 20 most popular streets.

Do you live on one of the Gold Coast’s most popular streets?

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And while Surfers Paradise’s Southern Cross Drive may be a given, it’s the lesser known streets like Cassia Drive at Coomera and Beau Pde at Bonogin that may come as a surprise.

Taking out the crown was the Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Waters – this particular section of the highway is scattered with apartments and holiday resorts.

Nerang Murwillumbah Rd at Numinbah Valley came in at second place and a quick search shows huge land holdings with multimillion-dollar price tags.

Currumbin Valley’s Brocks Rd – a haven for acreage retreats – rounded out the top three.

Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Waters was named the most popular street on the Gold Coast.

2325 Nerang Murwillumbah Rd, Numinbah Valley is on the market at $2 million. Nerang Murwillumbah Rd came second on the top 20 list of most popular streets on the Gold Coast.

A sprawling mansion at 84 Brocks Rd, Currumbin Valley sold for $2.85 million earlier this year. Brocks Rd rounded out the top three most popular streets.

“There is a certain percentage of those searching, that are sticky beaking and want to check out certain homes and certain streets,” REA Group chief economist Nerida Conisbee said.

“Like some of the other streets in the more affluent areas, people love looking at luxury homes in amazing locations.”

“Often those streets in those suburbs are particularly nice, even for those affluent areas.

“They might have a much better view, nicer houses or something else desirable that tends to lead to higher levels of interest.”

Nerida Conisbee, chief economist of REA Group, says people love browsing luxury homes in amazing locations.

Ms Conisbee said a “super popular house” in one particular street could also lead to a surge of activity.

“In some cases affordability can be a driving factor too,” she said.

“Some of these streets fall into that category.

“In other cases, the chance to own a big block of land is enticing buyers there.”

She said potential buyers in these streets would be up against more competition and pay a higher price.

The Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Waters was crowned king on a list of the Gold Coast’s 20 most popular streets.

Luke Henderson, director of John Henderson Professionals Mermaid Beach, said he was surprised to see the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Waters top the list.

Affordability and transportation could be attributed to its popularity, he said.

“We recently had an auction on a property on the corner of the Gold Coast Highway and Heron Ave that had 10 registered bidders,” Mr Henderson said.

“It was one of the cheapest villas with a courtyard.

“Affordability was the driver and the fact it was close to the beach.”

The most sought-after streets are scattered throughout the Gold Coast and include two in Coomera.

2 Cassia Drive, Coomera sold for $405,000 on July 9, 2020.

LJ Hooker Coomera/ Ormeau agent Patrick Conley recently sold a four-bedroom house on Cassia Drive.

The Coomera street ranked No. 5 on the most sought-after streets.

He said despite being on a small 265sq m block, the house attracted multiple offers and sold within the first few weeks of his marketing campaign.

“It was due to its location and the fact it was a new build,” he said.

“It was close to schools including the new school development at Foxwell Rd and also close to Westfield Coomera and the rail.”

The Gold Coast’s 20 most popular streets

Source: realestate.com.au

1. Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Waters

2. Nerang Murwillumbah Rd, Numinbah Valley

3. Brocks Rd, Currumbin Valley

4. Shearwater Esp, Runaway Bay

5. Cassia Drive, Coomera

6. Barker St, Currumbin

7. Southern Cross Drive, Surfers Paradise

8. Camp Drive, Bonogin

9. Katta Ave, Currumbin

10. Gracemere Circuit North, Hope Island

11. Magnoli Cct, Palm Beach

12. 19th Ave, Palm Beach

13. George Street West, Burleigh Heads

14. Warwick Place, Helensvale

15. Cristobel Court, Broadbeach Waters

16. Lakeview Blvd, Mermaid Waters

17. Beau Pde, Bonogin

18. Tiarnna Close, Burleigh Heads

19. Midview Court, Currumbin

20. Synergy Drive, Coomera

The post Gold Coast’s top 20 most popular streets appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Brisbane’s most popular streets have been revealed by Realestate.com.au. Picture: Annette Dew.

One is home to multimillion-dollar mansions and a host of high-profile movers and shakers.

Another is a little-known street in an outer Brisbane suburb that rarely rates a mention when it comes to prestige property.

Yet both Sutherland Avenue in Ascot and Ramsay Road in Clear Mountain have been recognised as two of the most sought-after streets within 30 kilometres of the CBD among home hunters.

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This house at 41 Sutherland Ave, Ascot, is for sale.

Tracking online searches by potential buyers over the past three years, property portal Realestate.com.au has revealed Brisbane’s 20 most popular streets.

And while some are notable blue-ribbon winners, others may come as a surprise.

Realestate.com.au director of economic research Cameron Kusher said the geographic locations of Brisbane’s most popular streets were quite varied, suggesting home buyers were craving more than just a top location on the city’s doorstep.

This five-bedroom house at 13 Ramsay Rd, Clear Mountain, sold in May for $1.6m.

The data also revealed a sweet spot with the combination of nice views and reasonable proximity to amenities proving a winner.

“Brisbane’s most sought-after street is in Clear Mountain; a palatial spot with large lots further away from the city centre,” Mr Kusher said.

Bridgeman Road in Bridgeman Downs, West Mount Cotton Road in Cornubia and Lisk Street in Pullenvale also made the cut.

This house at 61 Lisk St, Pullenvale, is for sale.

Two streets in the leafy suburb of Graceville, in Brisbane’s west, made the list — Molonga Terrace and Jaora Street.

Ann-Karyn Fraser of Place Estate Agents, who specialises in Brisbane’s western suburbs, said Molonga Tce was particularly popular with young families and many of its homes had a “presence” about them.

“It’s a nice wide street, off the Avenues, so it’s got some historical homes, and some that lead down to the river,” Ms Fraser said.

“In the afternoon, all the families walk with their dogs and kids and bikes and prams. It’s one of those streets where the kids all play with the neighbours.

This house at 41 Molonga Tce, Graceville, is for sale.

She said the street was also sought-after because it was within walking distance of shops and a train station, an in the Graceville State School catchment.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said demand for certain streets was usually driven by curiosity and aspiration to live in a dream home.

“There is a certain percentage of those searching, that are sticking beaking and want to check out certain homes and certain streets,” Ms Conisbee said.

“Often those streets in those suburbs are particularly nice, even for those affluent areas. They might have a much better view, nicer houses or something else desirable that tends to lead to higher levels of interest.

“Sometimes it might be that a super popular house in that street can lead to an incredible surge of activity.”

REA chief economist Nerida Conisbee.

Becker Place in Mount Ommaney, about 12km west of the CBD, could be considered a surprise sought-after suburb.

Local agent Adam Wishart of 4074 Property said there only 14 houses in the street, but they were all big homes on blocks over 1000 sqm.

“It’s got the best outlook,” Mr Wishart said.

“You can see the bay or out to the mountains, and the ones on the high side also have the Brisbane River out to Toowoomba, and beyond.

“It’s definitely a popular spot, so homes are tightly held on to. I have so many people wanting to get in there.”

This house at 8 Becker Place, Mount Ommaney, is for sale.

Mr Wishart, who is marketing a six-bedroom, four-bathroom home at 8 Becker Place, said houses in the street ranged in price from $1.4 million right up to $6 million.

He said interest was mainly from upsizers and business owners.

Ms Conisbee said affordability and ‘bang for your buck’ could also be a factor, which would explain why suburbs like Draper, Clear Mountain and Cornubia were in demand.

“In terms of Ramsay Road in Clear Mountain, that looks like there are some fantastic luxury homes there at a good price,” she said.

But potential buyers looking at these streets would likely be up against stiff competition and possibly pay a higher price than for houses in less popular streets in the same suburb, Ms Conisbee said.

This property at 911 Eatons Crossing Rd, Draper, is for sale. Eatons Crossing Road has been identified as one of Brisbane’s most popular streets.

She said it was not surprising that the most in-demand streets skewed towards luxury housing in premium suburbs, but the “best” streets were not always in the most expensive suburbs.

“Luxury homes are always going to attract eyeballs, but when it comes to sealing the deal on a new home, buyers are looking for more than just premium, inner-city property,” she said.

“All suburbs have nice streets, but often the most highly sought-after streets have something special about them.

“The houses may be particularly nice, or it may be that the views are amazing; it could be located close to a beach or a great retail precinct; the blocks may be particularly large, or it may be a very friendly neighbourhood. There are a lot of factors that define a great street.”

Dickson Terrace in the blue-ribbon suburb of Hamilton is an example of a street most people could only dream of living in.

The swanky street is home to the nine-bedroom mansion built by disgraced businessman Christopher Skase and bought by hotelier Steven Shoobridge for $10.13 million in 2018.

The mansion built by the late Christopher Skase at 36 Dickson Tce, Hamilton.

Sutherland Avenue in the affluent suburb of Ascot is also considered an aspirational addition to the list, with only 16 homes in the exclusive street and residents including a renowned fashion designer and real estate industry stalwarts.

A new sale price suburb record was set in the street earlier this year when ‘Windermere’ at 14 Sutherland Ave sold for $13.1 million.

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This house at 14 Sutherland Ave, Ascot, sold for more than $13m earlier this year. Image: CoreLogic.

GREATER BRISBANE’S 20 MOST POPULAR STREETS

Street name Suburb

1. Ramsay Road Clear Mountain

2. Bridgeman Road Bridgeman Downs

3. West Mount Cotton Road Cornubia

4. Lisk Street Pullenvale

5. Becker Place Mount Ommaney

6. Banek Place Everton Park

7. Sutherland Avenue Ascot

8. Molonga Terrace Graceville

9. Jaora Street Graceville

10. Eatons Crossing Road Draper

11. Debussy Place Mount Ommaney

12. Dickson Terrace Hamilton

13. Leatherwood Place Brookfield

14. Mckie Crescent Cannon Hill

15. Ivy Street Indooroopilly

16. Park Road Milton

17. Dobson Road Clear Mountain

18. Gleeson Road Samsonvale

19. Royston Street Brookfield

20. Borva Street Dutton Park

(Source: Realestate.com.au, based on buyer searches since July 2017, within 30km of CBD)

The post Brisbane’s most popular streets: Find out if yours makes the cut appeared first on realestate.com.au.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

It’s been in the one family for almost 40 years, and now it’s time for another family to move into this gorgeous Millswood home and start their own dynasty there.

Rose Williams and her late husband John – father of selling agent John Williams – bought the home in 1984, attracted by its space, location, elegance and grand proportions.

“My husband John loved the size of it and was looking for a beautiful big family home because we had a family on the way, and he had his previous family,” Mrs Williams says.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

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“He liked it because it was a corner block and he liked having space and privacy and loved spending time in the garden because he was in the office so much.

“We bought it from Owen Redmond and his wife, who wanted to downsize. There’s a lot of history attached to Andrew Ave, and a lot of people tend to stay here for a long time.”

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

Seamlessly blending character features with modern upgrades, the home retains its period charm, allowing people the opportunity to live in a quintessential grand Adelaide home of yesteryear, or add their own personal touches and bring it into the future.

“It needed a lot of work done when we bought it – it was a lot smaller so we extended it,” Mrs Williams says. “We tried not to change too much because John was always big on having things that were of the era and preserving the character of the house. By changing it too much it becomes like every other house and that’s what makes this property special. But if someone wanted to modernise it that would be lovely.”

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

The home, set on a 3114sqm allotment, features four bedrooms, grand formal dining and living areas, a renovated kitchen and numerous outdoor entertainment areas. There’s also a sparkling inground pool, a grass tennis court, a separate guesthouse with a bathroom, while the home is surrounded by established and meticulously maintained landscaped gardens.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

Mrs Williams says the home’s size and stunning garden location makes it an ideal entertainer.

“Because of John’s work we did a lot of entertaining here, and the house and garden was fantastic for that,” she says. “Because we had the swimming pool the kids from down the street that would come around and we’d have lots of pool parties here and we loved being outdoors. We were married in a marquee on the front lawn in front of our family and friends, and that was a particularly memorable occasion.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

“Everyone would come here for birthdays and Christmases – it was a great family home and everyone had their partners and had two children and Christmas was always hectic, but absolutely wonderful and perfect. But now it’s just me here. I used to be like the old woman that lived in a shoe, but now I’m all here by myself and it’s time to move to something a little smaller. It seems sad to have just me here and a bit of a waste of this amazing property when another family could love it as much as we have.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

“I picture kids riding their bikes around here and running around, and I think its time for it to be used and enjoyed that way.”

Mrs Williams says, given the amount of memories tied up in the property, it will be difficult to leave both the home and its great location.

“The location is fantastic because it’s really private and there isn’t any through traffic there, but yet you’re so close to King William Rd and we have a lot of schools nearby so it works really well for families,” Mrs Williams says.

“I’m going to be really sad to leave this place, but it really is time to stop being greedy and let someone live the wonderful life we had here.”

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood. Supplied by Williams Real Estate.

17 Andrew Ave, Millswood

Contact agent for price

Agent: Williams Real Estate, Stephanie Williams 0413 874 888 and John Williams 0411 747 555. Land size: 3114sqm. Expressions of Interest: Close Wednesday, September 9 at 2pm.

The post A stunning home ready to be loved for generations at 17 Andrew Ave, Millswood appeared first on realestate.com.au.

855 Oceana Drive, Tranmere. Picture: SUPPLIED

WITH its gigantic views of Hobart and the mountain alongside an enviable address and top-quality finishes, this home leaves nothing to desire.

This Oceana Drive home was built by the award-winning team at Ronald Young Builders and the finish reflects the professional tradesmen who were used.

Of the many impressive features, the covered sun deck might be the finest.

It is located just off the kitchen and dining area — and the lounge too — and was designed in such a way that it feels like a seamless part of this open plan living zone.

It is covered, which means the owner can use the space all year-round if desired, and it is one of many perfect positions to take in the classic Tranmere water vista.

So stylish.

Good looking.

Work or play.

Take a nap.

The deck is large enough for a six-seat dining table while still having comfortable room to spare.

The lounge area has double sliding doors access to the deck that allows a homeowner to extend the living area for family gatherings or just to let the breeze flow in on a hot summer’s day.

In the spacious, modern kitchen there are plenty of drawers and cupboards alongside state-of-the-art appliances. The tapware and the pendant lights over the breakfast space have a contemporary feel.

A see-through timber feature gives a feeling of dividing the open space without actually blocking the view or sight line between the kitchen and lounge – one of many examples of smart design and construction.

Another standout feature can be found off the dining area: a romantic window seat where the owner can sit in the sun and take in the view or just read a favourite book, magazine (or Real Estate Guide).

Easy maintenance.

Dinner time.

Take a seat.

Space to relax.

Along the hallway there are four bedrooms with the convenience of wardrobes. The master bedroom is well-equipped with a walk-in wardrobe and a sparkling ensuite.

At this end of the home there is a separate laundry and the main bathroom, which offers a larger than usual shower and a modern freestanding bath tub.

Outside, there is an exposed aggregate driveway that sets the scene for what is to be discovered beyond.

Entry into the house is through an extra large front door into a wide entrance.

Easy-care landscaping surrounds the property and it has new fencing.

Tranmere is renowned for the views and this home is no different, with the river, city and mountain area showcased from most windows.

This home has no steps at the front, which makes access easy for a range of potential buyers.

There are steps from its decks to the backyard and a large workshop.

No.855 Oceana Drive, Tranmere is listed with Harcourts Signature Rosny Park and priced at $795,000.

The post Sleek, stylish and family friendly appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Buxton listing agent Carl McCann shows off the bay views from this clifftop Clifton Springs property. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

A CLIFFTOP Clifton Springs property with private beach access and panoramic bay views has hit the market on the town’s most exclusive strip.

Described as “one of the best parcels of land in Victoria”, the 5145sq m allotment occupies a prime stretch of north-facing waterfront with vistas across to Melbourne.

The rear boundary of 49-51 Clifton Street, Clifton Springs extends to the high water mark, with a private path leading down to the beach below.

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Views over the You Yangs and Melbourne await the new owners.

Buyers have the option of renovating the existing six-bedrooom home on the site, which includes two titles, or rebuilding.

Buxton agent Carl McCann said there was nothing else like it on the market.

“It’s one of only a few along there and I think it’s the pick of them, being on the end it doesn’t have any neighbours on the eastern side,” Mr McCann said.

“It’s a terrific spot and once this one is gone, that’s probably the last one.

“You have got views across to Melbourne CBD … if you had the same thing on the other side of the bay you would looking at $6m.”

A lawn leads from the house to a path down to the bay.

Buyers are interested in both renovating or rebuilding on the site.

There’s scope to update the interior.

The property is being sold as one parcel, although there is the option to carve off 830sq m on its own title at the front.

It’s right next door the Clifton Springs Bowling Club and just moments from the golf club and The Dell.

Price hopes are $1.8m-$1.98m, with expressions of interest closing on August 27.

Mr McCann said the vendors had lived at the property for 30 years and there was scope to improve both the house and the existing beach access.

“We have had interest from Melbourne and locally, it’s been a mix of interest between renovating or building a new house,” he said.

The Clifton Springs Bowling Club is on the eastern side of the property.

Living areas on both levels of the two-storey house offer uninterrupted bay views across a vast lawn.

There’s also a kitchen and dining room on each floor, with four bedrooms downstairs and another two upstairs.

Clifton Street has become Clifton Springs’ millionaire’s row in recent years, with a string of top sales.

A modern, four-bedroom house with direct beach access at No. 25 set the town’s price record when it sold for $1.85m in 2015.

Mr McCann, who recently joined the Buxton Geelong group, said he was looking forward to working with the agency.

The post Clifton Springs listing ‘one of the best parcels of land in Victoria’ appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Investors in the market must play the long game. Photo by Gaye Gerard/ Sunday Telegraph

Investor activity – buying, selling and renting – across Sydney is far more complex than normal as the market moves through what’s been a busier winter into the traditional spring selling season.

There are testing times and emerging opportunities.

Asking rents have fallen, and sharply, according to the valuation firm Herron Todd White (HTW), while vacancy rates have climbed. Capital values have however not declined at similar levels thus triggering reduced investor yields.

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A recent rental reduction took place at a Fairlight two-bedroom unit leased for $620 per week after getting $745 in 2019.

Suburbs on the northern beaches that rely on tourism such as Manly have seen a reduction in weekly rents and higher vacancy rates. But when it comes to sales, HTW noted investors are there ranging from local, out of towners and international buyers. Agents have noted stronger activity from expatriates as the uncertainty in the global markets make the Australian property market a relatively safer investment.

The northern beaches is popular with investors. Picture: John Appleyard

Western Sydney has experienced a lower impact from COVID-19 in comparison to other areas of Sydney, such as the inner suburbs, according to the latest HTW update.

In the greater west, a popular investment option comes in the form of a house and granny at which can provide a second rental stream. A three bedroom Colyton home with a detached two bedroom granny flat recently sold for $659,000, with a combined rental potential of $700 per week, calculating a gross rental return of 5.5 per cent.

Government initiatives have helped keep “some calm” in the western suburbs, but HTW noted a lot of speculation from property professionals that the longer the pandemic goes, the more stress there will be on tenants paying their rent and investors paying their mortgages.

“As a result this potentially could see an array of properties hitting the market within a short period of time which could put downward pressure on property price.”

More first homebuyers are entering the market. (Pictures by Julian Andrews).

Agents within Sydney’s inner city and east are reporting investor purchasing appears to have dropped sharply, particularly in high density areas, especially Haymarket, Zetland and Forest Lodge.

SQM Research had vacancy rates for Zetland peak in May at a record high of six per cent and have slightly reduced to 5.6 per cent.

HTW noted a two-bedroom unit on O’Riordan St in Mascot that sold in 2016 for $800,000 resold last month for $790,000.

“This result demonstrates how investment grade properties within certain high-density locations are performing sub-par when compared to owner occupier style properties.”

However, HTW noted more first homebuyers are entering the market which does help increase demand for some of the investment style units, but there is still an oversupply of apartments advertised for sale and lease within these locations.

The report noted the investor market across southwest suburbs, in particular the Liverpool LGA, was very active.

But HTW has seen rentals stagnate and in some areas fall. It noted on realestate.com.au there were 99, modern two-bedroom two-bathroom units available and 160, three-to-four bedroom homes available for rent within the Liverpool LGA.

HTW suggests investors are wondering whether there will be any upside capital growth in the next few years.

They can’t see growth in many resales at the moment.

But they note there are opportunities for investors who can tolerate the reduced rental income and “ride out the storm” until the market starts to recover.

The post Plenty of opportunities for investors in Sydney market if they hold long-term appeared first on realestate.com.au.

90 Lucas Rd, Lucaston is on the market for $279,000. The eco-shack is set more than 20ha of private bushland.

FIERCE competition for Tasmania’s most-sought after streets is pushing up prices as nostalgia, aspiration and the search for a bargain drive up homebuyer demand.

According to search data provided by realestate.com.au, Lucas Rd in Lucaston has emerged as our most popular street for prospective homebuyers.

SEE THE FULL LIST BELOW >>

Katoota Rd, Katoota comes in second on the list of high-demand buys, with Bilton Walk in Claremont third.

Tasmanian home prices have continued to rise despite the coronavirus pandemic. CoreLogic reported Hobart home values were up 0.9 per cent over the quarter through July.

The view from the living room at 90 Lucas Rd.

This compares very favourably to quarterly slumps of -3.2 per cent in Melbourne, -2.1 per cent in Sydney and -1.6 per cent nationally throughout the COVID-19 period.

Well-known streets in blue chip areas remain in strong demand. However the Huon Valley has emerged as Tassie’s No. 1 spot for buyers, with the top two of our most wanted streets.

“It’s an unusual one,” realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said.

TASMANIA’S TOP 20 MOST POPULAR STREETS TO BUY

1. Lucas Rd, Lucaston

2. Kaoota Rd, Kaoota

3. Bilton Walk, Claremont

4. Musks Rd, Sandford

5. Napoleon St, Battery Point

6. Lords Rd, Pelverata

7. Palmers Rd, Oyster Cove

8. Schofield Dr, Sorell

9. Hillmorton Rd, Lindisfarne

10. Stoke St, New Town

11. Back Tea Tree Rd, Tea Tree

12. Braeview Dr, Old Beach

13. Molle St, West Hobart

14. Bullock Dr, Leslie Vale

15. Beechworth Rd, Sandy Bay

16. Secheron Rd, Battery Point

17. Elizabeth St, Hobart

18. Newcastle St, Battery Point

19. Burgundy Rd, Howrah

20. Winmarleigh Ave, Taroona

“It’s different from the other top in-demand streets. People looking for a tree change would be part of that. Also it is cheap there, big, bushy blocks really cheap.”

Some of the buyer search traffic is coming from stickybeaks and voyeurs, who “love looking at luxury houses in fantastic streets” Ms Conisbee said.

But plenty of it is genuine buyers, with search up around 50 per cent on this time last year. A key factor there is the more time people have to browse due to COVID-19. But the pandemic had also allowed us to better understand what we want in our homes and from our lifestyles.

“Often those streets in those suburbs are particularly nice, even for those affluent areas,” Ms Conisbee said.

“They might have a much better view, nicer houses or something else desirable that tends to lead to higher levels of interest.

“In some cases affordability can be a driving factor in a street’s popularity too.”

Nostalgia plays a key role too,” Ms Conisbee said.

“If you have grown up in or around these suburbs or in the city you get to know these streets. They’re in nice suburbs. There are good schools close by and there’s a lifestyle there people want. It might be close to the water, or be on a big block or have something unique about it That all plays into the aspirational aspect of that,” she said.

And if you are looking to buy, or sell in these most-wanted streets, prices will be at a premium.

“As a buyer in these streets, you’re going to be up against more competition and more likely as a result you will pay a higher price than for houses in other less popular streets in the same suburb,” Ms Conisbee said.

The post Where are Tassie’s most sought after streets appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The sought-after Byron Bay.

Byron Bay’s popularity with seachangers is peaking at never-before-seen levels as homebuyers flock to the area as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Byron, as it is affectionately known, has also become a beacon for celebrities and industry leaders as the successful flock to the northern NSW town.

Both factors were again witnessed by the latest purchase in the town’s highly prized ‘golden grid’ enclave.

Byron Bay’s ‘Golden Grid’ has become some of the most wanted real estate in Australia. Picture: Supplied

Josh White, CEO and founder of sports and entertainment marketing agency Lampoon Group, who counts cricket superstar Ellyse Perry, former rugby international and TV star Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins and Olympian Jessica Fox as among his clients has eyed a shift to the northern NSW town for over a decade.

He finally made his move to the location favoured by the likes of Chris and Liam Hewsworth, Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman (just to name a few), snaring a blue chip property in the heart of Byron Bay on Carlyle Street.

The sale price was undisclosed but is believed to be around $2 million.

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Sports Agent Josh White with client Ellyse Perry. Picture: supplied

The home was very much a ‘renovator’s delight’ and White plans to build a new home on the 474 sq m block he can call his own.

“I grew up surfing and still remember going to Byron with my family for the first time when I was 9. Dad got me my first surfboard from the old Maddog Surf Shop. I have always had this love of the place and wanted to get up there one day,” White said

White and his Golden Buy. Picture: supplied

A ‘renovator’s delight’. Picture: Supplied

But it was the COVID-19 epidemic that was the tipping point.

“It’s become a time when people are reassessing where they are at and looking to get more balance in their life,” he said.

“To get out of the hustle because it can be all consuming. You can find that balance up there. I wanted to head north and get back to my roots and this was the perfect opportunity.”

A seachange or a treechange is the move many Australians are considering as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

Over the last quarter through July regional home values dipped just 0.1 per cent as opposed to a 2 per cent fall in the combined capitals, according to Core Logic.

You can see why Byron is in demand.

Wategos Beach has long been a Byron Bay highlight.

In Byron, consistent demand has seen house prices trend strongly upwards over the last decade. According to realestate.com.au data, the median house price has jumped from $712,000 in 2011 to $1.41 million last year.

The peak year was in 2017, when the average house price hit $1.578 million, before the market slipped.

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However leading Byron Bay agent Ian Daniels, who sold White his new property said demand and prices are reaching new highs.

“I’ve been here 20 years and there was a peak in September 2007 before the GFC and a peak again almost exactly 10 years later in September 2017, but I think what is happening now has surpassed that,” he said.

Chris Hemsworth and Matt Damon with some locals in Byron Bay. Picture: Instagram

Zac Efron’s is living in Byron Bay. Picture: Instagram

The ‘Golden Grid’ is a leading plank in the latest price spike.

“It’s the part of town where the old quarter acre blocks are and where settlement here started,” Mr Daniels said.

“It’s where the bank manager lived and the station master lived. Now it’s walking distance to Clarke’s Beach and the iconic Top Shop. Everyone knows it.”

Byron Bay real estate has come a long way since 1972, when you could buy a souse (top left) for $5200. Picture: Real Estate NSW

Byron Bay’s town centre and the beach beyond. Picture: News Corp

The change in consciousness that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought is another leading factor in Byron Bay’s surge in popularity.

“Now due to COVID-19 people are saying ‘let’s make that move we always wanted to’,” Mr Daniels said.

The famous Cape Byron Picture: Dylan O’Donnell

“People who were thinking of doing it in their 50s and 60s are saying ‘let’s do it now’,”.

“The first two months of Covid, there wasn’t much happening, but the last two months have been my best sales months for a long time. There are a lot of buyers ready to go.”

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Sports Agent Josh White of Lampoon with one of his clients Nick Cummins. Picture: supplied

“We are very blessed to live here and the town is made up of some pretty amazing people who have made the conscious decision to take a leap of faith and make the move to a better life for them and their family.”

For Josh White, that dream is already being fulfilled.

“When I started looking a few months ago there wasn’t much interest but then things changed. I’m stoked I’ve now got a place up there,” said White, who also counts global brands, Oakley, ASICS, Beats by Dre and Danone YoPRO among some of his other clients.

The post Byron Bay: popularity with seachangers peaking as agent to the stars buys up appeared first on realestate.com.au.

9 Spa Street, Holland Park West, is a large family home on a corner block.

Anyone looking through the family home at 9 Spa Street Holland Park West would be forgiven for thinking it had not long been built.

It has a modern layout, generous accommodation (six bedrooms, including a self-contained apartment on the lower-ground floor, very COVID-19), and is in immaculate condition.

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Yet the Pietrobon family, Fran, Vic and their two children in their early twenties, have lived in the house for almost a decade.

Its everlasting appeal is mostly down to Fran, who designed the home with the help of an architect after the family bought the corner block in 2010.

“It wasn’t easy but the architect was great, and allowed me to go back and forth and make so many changes,” Fran said.

One of the living rooms has a bespoke stone feature wall.

“Generally I knew what I wanted but it took 12 months to finish. I don’t think there is anything I would change. I have loved this house.”

One of the rooms on which Fran was not prepared to compromise was the kitchen, or rather, kitchens.

There are two — one indoors, one outdoors. Both are topped with hard-wearing quartzite benchtops; the main island alone is made up of nine tonnes of quartz that had to be craned in.

The kitchen island is made up of nine tonnes of quartzite.

Being from an Italian background, Fran said she loved to cook and the kitchen was where she and the family spent most of their time.

“A lot of tomatoes have been chopped on that island bench,” Fran laughed.

There is also a large butler’s pantry, hot and cold zip tap, integrated fridge, and suite of Smeg appliances including two ovens, a microwave, steamer and induction cooktop.

The back deck offers fabulous views of the city.

Elsewhere in the home are a number of living spaces including a pool room, cinema room, study, store rooms and an outdoor patio leading to the family’s infinity pool.

Ascend the central staircase and you will find the master bedroom, with a generous walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, and an additional three bedrooms. From this level you can also capture

spectacular views of the city and sunsets across the rooftops of neighbouring houses.

One thing that is definitely not lacking throughout this home is storage; Fran made certain of that.

The house has two kitchens, one indoor, one outdoor, as the owner loves to cook.

“There is storage galore. I put cupboards in every nook and cranny. For me a house has to be practical. It has to look pretty, but it also has to be usable,” Fran said. “The down side of that it the joinery bill is through the roof,” she laughed.

The house has four garages, two on the ground level and two on the middle level.

For the family of four it has proved a spacious home, but its sheer size is part of the reason why the Pietrobons are now selling.

The home’s cinema room is one of several living spaces.

“It’s a very comfortable home and took a lot of time to get right,” Fran said, “but there is also a lot of cleaning and we just don’t have time for that anymore.”

I suspect it’s Fran’s fastidiousness that has kept the house in pristine condition all these years.

“It is well maintained. For an eight-year-old home it does look almost like new,” she said.

Cleaning gripes aside, will Fran miss the home she has put so much work into?

“On the one hand I think I will be a bit sad, but on the other hand I won’t. I love the position and I love the house, it’s just too big for us now and I want to reclaim my weekends.”

The house is open for inspection today at 10am.

The post Brisbane home that’s pretty and practical appeared first on realestate.com.au.