Buyers in some markets are offering hundreds of thousands of dollars over asking prices — and still losing wars against dozens of other bidders.
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Interior designer Anna Spiro has put her family home at 27 Roger Street, Birkdale, on the market
Renowned interior designer Anna Spiro has put Birkdale House, her family home for the past ten years, on the market.
The 1800s heritage property at 27 Roger Street, Birkdale, is open to top offers by 4pm on September 15 through Sarah Hackett of Place – Bulimba.
Interior designer Anna Spiro. Photo: Nigel Hallett
Ms Spiro, who designed boutique B&B Halcyon House, and Brisbane wine bars Mr Percival’s and Arc Dining, is known for blending bold colours with layers of textured materials, accented by signature pieces and her eclectic style is evident throughout the home’s interiors.
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Yet aside from dressing up the home’s interiors, giving the house a coat of paint and replacing the roof after it blew off in very bad storm, the house is in its original condition and
Inside the house is quintessentiall Anna Spiro style.
maintains all its heritage features, which Ms Spiro said made it special and rare.
She said she fell in love with the house after stumbling across it by accident.
“I was lost and I ended up on Roger Street when I spotted the house. I was only young but I was just blown away by it,” she said.
“Ten years later I returned to the area and I saw it was for sale. That is when I knew I had to have it. It was fate.”
Ms Spiro is known for her use of bold colours and layered materials.
The family homestead sits at the heart of a 2,213 sqm block at the end of cul-de-sac and is surrounded by trees and landscaped gardens.
Original heritage features, including decorative breezeways, VJ walls, timber floors, casement windows, tiled mosaics, picture rails and lofty ceilings. have endured almost two centuries.
The property’s five bedrooms are split between the main residence and the guest house and walls of glass, French doors and louvered windows allow cool coastal breezes from the Bay to waft through.
The house is at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac surrounded by trees and greenery.
Large wrap-around verandas extend the indoor living spaces outside and run beside the home’s luxurious swimming pool.
Ms Spiro said living at Birkdale House was like living in the country, despite the property being less than a 30-minute drive from the centre of Brisbane city.
There is even a chicken coop and the potential to start a vegetable garden for those who like the idea of living The Good Life.
The house is packed with heritage features such as VJ walls and casement windows.
Birkdale House is minutes from Waterloo Bay, leafy parklands and local shops. Birkdale train station is also near by. The property falls within Birkdale State School and Wellington Point State High School catchment areas, and is a short drive from Redlands College, Saint Mary MacKillop Primary School and Ormiston College.
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The 1800s home is mostly in original condition.
The post Interior designer Anna Spiro puts her heritage home on the market appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Details of the backyard renovation of the property at Balmoral. Image supplied.
PROPERTY lawyer by day, home renovator by night, weekend – and any other spare time.
Jesse Inns has always had a creative side, but he needed an outlet for it.
That’s when the first homeowner decided to buy a character home in need of a lot of TLC in the leafy suburb of Balmoral in Brisbane’s east.
Mr Inns spent two years looking for the perfect property to inject his personality into. “I’ve always been one of those people who had a creative flair and so I was looking for a project,” Mr Inns said. “I knew where I wanted to buy, but couldn’t find the bones I wanted to play with, until I saw this one.”
BEFORE: The front of the house before the renovation.
AFTER: The front of the house after the renovation.
AFTER: A close-up of the facade after it was renovated. Image supplied.
The post-war home had already been raised and built-in underneath, but it “hadn’t been loved”.
“It was just finding that empty shell I could spend some money on, but not completely rebuild, and this one ticked all the boxes,” Mr Inns said.
Fortunately, he had a tradesman in the family who could help him give the house a cosmetic facelift. “My brother’s in the concrete rendering field, so he helped a lot there, but I was onsite all the time,” Mr Inns said. “I love to get my hands dirty, whether it be painting, choosing the products – I even learned a bit of plumbing.”
BEFORE: The backyard at the house at Balmoral before the renovation.
AFTER: The pool in the backyard of the house after it was renovated. Image supplied.
AFTER: Details of the garden and landscaping. Image supplied.
The biggest jobs were gutting the kitchen, bathroom and master ensuite. Mr Inns decided to keep the configuration of the house and the plumbing to save costs.
He took a different approach to the bathrooms. Instead of using tiles, he went with rendered concrete, featuring a crushed limestone and pearl finish.
“I wanted to get away from that traditional tile finish,” he said.
“My basic style I worked from was mid-century modern, but I tried to bring more industrial features in.
“I’ve used a lot of concrete and render, a lot of stone, basically to make it a very modern, character home.
“The major challenge was adapting the concrete to work inside the house (as well as outside).”
BEFORE: The kitchen in the house at Balmoral before the renovation.
AFTER: The kitchen after the renovation.
AFTER: A close-up of the kitchen after it was renovated. Image supplied.
The kitchen was in good condition, but dated, so it too was stripped back.
An island bench was put in, the appliances were updated and the cupboards redone.
BEFORE: The back deck before the renovation.
AFTER: The back deck after it was renovated. Image supplied.
AFTER: Another angel of the back deck after it was renovated. Image supplied.
In keeping with the monochromatic colour theme, Mr Inns painted the timber deck grey and added a unique, concrete side wall.
He designed the entire backyard himself on his iPad.
“I was inspired by a shot on Instagram, so I got the old iPad out and did a bit of sketching,” he said.
BEFORE: The ensuite before the renovation.
AFTER: The ensuite after the renovation.
A lot of time was spent carefully styling each room and area to give the house a personal touch.
“I spent lots of hours scouring the internet for one-off quirky pieces, rather than stock standard white pots,” Mr Inns said.
“I spent a lot of weekends and nights doing this house.
“Some people watch TV at midnight; I paint walls instead.”
BEFORE: The bathroom at the house before the renovation.
AFTER: The main bathroom after it was renovated. Image supplied.
AFTER: Details of the bathroom renovation, Image supplied.
Remarkably, he also managed to come in well under budget. “It cost about $75,000 and I had a budget of $100,000 to spend,” Mr Inns said.
His advice for keeping costs down?
“Keep it in the family for trades and if you’re prepared to, do a lot of the work yourself.
“If you’re prepared to watch some YouTube videos.”
Mr Inns is already itching to start another project, but intends to live in this one.
”I’m looking for more of an investment property. This is my forever home at the moment.”
The post My Reno: How to make an ‘empty shell’ your forever home appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Brickies have been left off a list of skilled trades able to move between building sites.
Melbourne tradies could recoup losses from the city’s hard six-week lockdown before the end of November, new data shows.
But brickies hopping between construction sites around Melbourne are risking fines after being excluded from a list of specialist trades cleared to do so in a raft of amendments to building industry restrictions, released on the Business Victoria website this week.
Since 11.59pm last Friday large construction sites (above three storeys or more than 1500sq m floor size) have been capped at 25 per cent of their normal workforce, while smaller sites have been limited to just five workers at a time.
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The restrictions shut down home renovations, where safe to do so, and limit skilled trades working on new homes to moving between a maximum three sites per week.
They must also follow strict High Risk COVIDSafe Plans and wear enhanced personal protective equipment.
Electricians, plumbers, tilers, concreters, plasterers and carpenters have been included on a list of specialist trades allowed to move between up to three sites per week.
They are also allowed to make emergency repairs in homes, where there is a risk to health and safety for the residents.
Other specialists cleared to move between sites include crane operators, gold class riggers, welders, post tensioners, corkers, scaffolders, internal glaziers, asphalters, solar installers and security system installers.
Apprentices are exempt from a carpooling ban.
Other changes this week include allowing apprentices’ parents and housemates to drive them to work, and exempting them from the carpooling ban if they have no other way to travel.
Urban Development Institute of Australia Victorian chief executive Danni Hunter said it was welcome news for those learning a trade.
“We support the clarification for apprentices, which will help keep young people in work, and businesses engaged with their employees through stage four restrictions.”
However, National Bricklayers Association secretary Don Mackenzie said few brickies would be aware they had not been classed as a specialist trade, and limiting their movement risked bringing the industry to a “stalemate”.
“Most bricklayers wouldn’t know they are in that group that has been ostracised,” Mr Mackenzie said.
“They are one of the most important parts. And I can’t see any reason why you wouldn’t include a bricklayer (as a skilled trade).”
Brickies typically move between two or three sites a week.
“All the other trades follow in behind bricks and concrete,” Mr Mackenzie said.
However tradies seeing less work at the moment might be able to take heart from contact tracing software used in New Zealand that has shown their industry bounced back immediately after an even harder lockdown.
The construction industry has been managing widespread contact tracing.
Fergus Software chief executive David Holmes said while a four-week lockdown in our near neighbour had caused a 46 per cent plunge in jobs created, the numbers were recovered and jumped an extra 21 per cent in the month following.
Fergus is typically used by smaller builders responsible for new home construction, rather than major projects, and in the first week of Melbourne’s latest lockdown a 14 per cent reduction in jobs created for tradies was recorded.
The figure rose to 32 per cent in the first two days of this week.
Despite this, Mr Holmes estimated Melbourne tradies would catch up with the lost work in approximately 10 weeks after the lockdown finished, potentially before the end of November.
“If it happens the way it did in New Zealand, that will happen, and there’s early signs the two are very similar,” Mr Holmes said.
He said tradies working at reduced levels now should be using the time to deal with admin and to line up work for the future so they could hit the ground running and spend more time on the tools after the lockdown.
It was also important employers used JobKeeper to keep staff connected so they could respond rapidly after the lockdown.
There have also been tweaks to works establishing land lots at new housing estates.
Further clarifications released on the Business Victoria website this week capped early-stage land preparation at new housing estates to 10 workers a hectare and barred solar installations at inhabited homes.
They confirmed renovations must cease at inhabited homes, as must work on decks, pergolas and landscaping.
However, it has been clarified that concrete truck drivers and other suppliers that travel to sites are not counted under worker caps.
Not all trades have been given the clearance to move between building sites.
Master Builders Association of Victoria boss Rebecca Casson said the amendments followed further industry discussion with the government and “clear up a range of matters”.
“Ultimately, our members want to do the right thing to reduce transmission, just like they’ve done since March with many proactive measures that have kept transmission rates at a fraction of the community average,” Ms Casson said.
“We imagine the ‘frequently asked questions’ will be updated continually as our industry works with the government on further questions that crop up in each unique circumstance.”
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The post Melbourne construction industry stage four guidelines updated appeared first on realestate.com.au.
No. 51 National Circuit, Forrest is up for sale.
Contemporary yet classic, this well-considered home in Forrest ticks boxes galore, including a staggering 240sqm basement garage that will excite any car enthusiast.
Set on a landholding of 1453sqm, the grand home was designed by renowned architect David Katon, with interiors by Sydney designer Peter Reeve, and was built seven years ago.
Taking its design cues from nature and the lush surrounds, the home combines a range of natural textures including marble, stone and timber.
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Its sense of spaciousness is takes great heights with soaring ceilings and double glazed picture windows to capture the surrounds.
“It’s a really contemporary, elegantly styled home. It’s large but commensurate all the way through,” said selling agent Albert Stavaruk, from Blackshaw – City and Inner North.
“When you go through it, you understand it’s a large home but you don’t actually walk into any of the rooms and feel overawed by size. It’s all rather subtle and understated, as is the front of the home.
Light and bright.
Following a functional floorplan with 600sqm of living space, the abode has five bedrooms and four bathrooms and its living areas extend to the alfresco outside which includes a central courtyard, spa and swimming pool.
Mr Stavaruk said quality had been integral to the design.
“Everything they’ve done is really top of the line. There’s genuine marble all the way through. Every room you go into feels like it’s a quality home,” he said.
Street appeal.
“The dining room is really lovely. It has incredibly high ceilings and it’s a real picture window looking out from there, it’s just magnificent.”
The basement garage must be seen to be believed.
“The garage is 240sqm. It’s an eight-car garage but you could actually put 12 cars down there,” he said.
Mr Stavaruk is taking offers.
The post Grand Forrest home with generous garage hits the market appeared first on realestate.com.au.
A new survey revealed the areas with the happiest sellers.
The inner west is the Sydney region where sellers are most frequently getting prices over expectation, a vendor survey reveals.
The higher rate of above-expectation sales made inner west vendors Sydney’s happiest sellers, according to the Rate My Agent poll of more than 33,000 Aussie vendors.
About 41 per cent of inner west sellers reported they got a price above what they wanted for their properties.
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This put the inner west among the 10 “happiest” seller’s markets, alongside Canberra, Hobart, the central highlands area of Victoria and northern Melbourne.
Belle Property agent Simone Azzi said the enduring popularity of the inner west meant there was a safety net for prices and buyers remained active.
Belle Property agent Simone Azzi said the inner west drew a mixed crowd of buyers. Picture: John Appleyard
“Larger family homes, properties with quality renovations, they are still getting exceptional prices,” Ms Azzi said. “The properties that are not selling well are on busy roads or there is an obstruction.”
The biggest spending buyers were upsizers, she said. “Many of them have figured it is a good time buy and they’re capitalising,” she said.
“The inner west is also a lot cheaper than the eastern suburbs and lower north shore so we are attracting some buyers from those areas who are search of a bit more value.”
Rate My Agent CEO Mark Armstrong said there was a June uplift in market confidence.
“After the initial shock in April wore off, consumer optimism is on the way back up,” he said.
The inner west was a sharp contrast to NSW’s central west region, including towns such as Dubbo and Orange, which was one of the weakest markets for sellers. About 27 per cent of vendors in the region reported they got prices above what they expected.
Vendors in northern NSW also struggled, with only 15 per cent netting prices above their hopes.
About two in five home sellers in the inner west got more than they expected.
Nationally, the other areas where home sellers were least likely to get prices above their expectations were scattered across regional Western Australia and Queensland. The most frustrated capital city sellers were in Perth.
Ray White Quakers Hill agent Josh Tesolin said the report’s NSW findings were a call to action.
“At the moment, so many people are holding off on selling due to uncertainty,” he said.
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THE Far North has long been regarded as a popular tourist destination and now it’s becoming a popular choice among families to settle down and raise their children.
The natural beauty of the region is the obvious reason homebuyers are drawn to the Far North, however affordability in comparison to the quality of life, improving infrastructure and services alongside a solid workforce make compelling reasons to live and buy property in the Far North.
Families can escape the congestion and stress of the major cities, yet still be confident their children will have the necessary opportunities to chase their goals, from the comfort of their laid-back Far Northern home.
Housing estates in Cairns. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE
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Central Realty Mareeba director Remo Esposito said families were after at least three bedrooms, work and school proximity, either a decent backyard or easy access to parks and a house that was ready to move into, not requiring upgrades or improvements in a family-friendly area.
“We’ve always been an affordable region and it does’t surprise me there are options (under $250,000) for family homes up here,” he said.
“You compare $250,000 to the major cities and there you can pay more for just a block of land sometimes, but the quality you can get for that price range here (in a house) is excellent.”
These are just 10 of the many family ready homes under $250,000 on the Far Northern market.
FOR SALE IN FNQ
80 Bryant St, Tully is just one of many quality homes in Far North Queensland under $250,000.
$165,000
3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car
Sitting on a massive 2000sq m block is this highset open-plan house ready for an active family chasing yards of space.
The fenced block with an expansive garden makes it perfectly safe for kids who love exploring and the property is only minutes away from the local primary and high schools and Tully’s main street with all shopping needs covered.
22 Petersen St, Mareeba is just one of many quality homes in Far North Queensland under $250,000.
3 bed, 1 bath, 2 car
$190,000
Located at the northern end of town, this neat and tidy three-bedroom home has plenty of potential for a family. There is plenty of room for the kids to enjoy the outdoors on this fully fenced, spacious 1055sq m property.
Only a short drive into the town’s centre this home offers a quiet lifestyle, with the conveniences of modern internal finishes including an updated kitchen. This home also features aluminium framed sliding windows and is partially security screened.
443 Silkwood Japoon Rd, Silkwood is just one of many quality homes in Far North Queensland under $250,000.
443 Silkwood Japoon Rd, Silkwood
3 bed, 1 bath, 2 car
$195,000
For families chasing a rural getaway but access to schools and the nearby Innisfail CBD, this Silkwood home is ideally located. Recently renovated to include modern interior finishes, the bright and breezy home is on a private 1706sq m block, five minutes from school and less than 20 to Innisfail.
80 Mourilyan Rd, East Innisfail is just one of many quality homes in Far North Queensland under $250,000.
80 Mourilyan Rd, East Innisfail
3 bed, 1 bath, 3 car
$195,000
Walking distance to schools and to the Innisfail CBD, this spacious home is perfect for busy families who are always on the go. But the three-bedroom renovated home with an updated kitchen is also close to nearby picturesque walking tracks with river views for when it’s time to slow down. The double-storey home is on a large 800sq m block and has room downstairs for an additional living area or a workshop.
4 Jirimandi Cl, Wonga Beach is just one of many quality homes in Far North Queensland under $250,000.
3 bed, 1 bath, 1 car
$219,000
Busy parents will be easily drawn to this Wonga Beach home that is labelled a “low-maintenance” block house. This well-maintained, tidy beach home is located in a quiet street on a fenced 800sq m block with no rear neighbours and only a few minutes walk to the beach and Wonga Beach State School. Kids creating a mess won’t be a worry as it’s tiled throughout and every bedroom includes airconditioning as does the open-plan kitchen and living area.
4 Hambling St, Dimbulah is just one of many quality homes in Far North Queensland under $250,000.
$225,000
3 bed, 1 bath, 2 car
This well-loved home fits the bill for family friendly living and is ready to move into. It enjoys great street appeal on a large 792sq m corner block, in the heart of Dimbulah and only minutes from the Dimbulah P-10 State School and St Anthony’s primary school. The partly-fenced home includes three airconditioned bedrooms, a breezeway to the side between the house and garage making for a great entertainment area and a large vegetable garden.
37 Kalkuri Cl, Wonga Beach is just one of many quality homes in Far North Queensland under $250,000.
$239,000
4 bed, 1 bath, 2 car
A four-bedroom property only metres from the beach, and even closer to the local shops for under $250,000 is a rare find anywhere. This Wonga Beach home is perfect for families on an 808sq m block with no rear neighbours, at the end of a safe and quiet street. The school bus pick up is only 200m down the street. An open-plan living area spills into a side veranda making it great for indoor-outdoor living. And Mossman is only 10 minutes away – the region’s local supply hub.
110 River Avenue, Mighell is just one of many quality homes in Far North Queensland under $250,000.
$249,000
5 bed, 2 bath, 2 car
This “charming Queenslander” on the riverfront has been fully renovated to include a large timber kitchen with quality new appliances. With five bedrooms, it’s perfect for the modern family with enough room for an office as well as an arts and crafts room. Less than five minutes to the Innisfail CBD, a family would have easy access to all the town’s conveniences while enjoying outdoor living on this 1012sq m block.
13 Riverview Terrace, Mareeba is just one of many quality homes in Far North Queensland under $250,000.
$249,000
3 bed, 1 bath, 2 car
This hardwood timber beauty is located less than 1km to both primary schools and shopping centres and after some recent renovations, it’s ready for a family to move in and enjoy their new home. The tidy fenced 850sq m property features freshly polished timber floors, fresh paint to the bedrooms and new airconditioning in the living area. All bedrooms come with built-in cupboards. Outside there is an undercover entertainment area with direct access from the spacious kitchen.
16 Denver St, White Rock is just one of many quality homes in Far North Queensland under $250,000.
$249,000
4 bed, 1 bath, 1 car
Enjoy everything Cairns has to offer just 15 minutes from the CBD on this large four-bedroom home sitting on a 700sq m block. There are multiple public and private schools within five minutes and just across the highway is the Mount Sheridan Plaza, taking care of all shopping needs. The fully fenced property offers enough yard space for the kids or room to expand.
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