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Point House, Parrot Cay, BWI Turks And Caicos Islands. Supplied by Christie’s International Real Estate

Is there anything better than having a stickybeak at how the other half live?

The feedback we get from the readers of our Dream Homes pages in The Advertiser’s Real Estate Magazine each week would suggest that no, there isn’t.

And, with examples like the ones below, it’s not hard to see why everyone loves looking at a bit of ‘property porn’.

So kick back and take a trip with us through three of the most stunning homes currently on the market around the world – one of which you won’t even need a passport to visit.

Enjoy!

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Point House, Parrot Cay, BWI Turks And Caicos Islands. Supplied by Christie’s International Real Estate

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

I’ve filled this section over the past few years with declarations of love for timber joinery. I’ve pined over open spaces and properties with enough land for me to pretty much just run amok in. So it should come as no surprise that I’m more than a bit taken by this Parrot Cay property.

Point House, Parrot Cay, BWI Turks And Caicos Islands. Supplied by Christie’s International Real Estate

Soaring ceilings? Check. Timber everywhere you look? Check. Minimalist design? Check. Neighbours far enough away that I can do what I want, when I want while wearing as much or as little as I want? Check.

Point House, Parrot Cay, BWI Turks And Caicos Islands. Supplied by Christie’s International Real Estate

Offering more than 2000sqm of living space, the home (which kind of looks like a massive sauna) is one of just 12 on the island and was designed by world-renowned architect Cheong Yew Kuan.

Point House, Parrot Cay, BWI Turks And Caicos Islands. Supplied by Christie’s International Real Estate

It’s got a Bali lava stone pool, hand-carved furniture, hand-carved limestone bathtubs and is set next to a nature reserve and a short walk from a private sandy beach. What’s holding me back? Oh that’s right. The price …

$21.7 million.

Medieval tower on the Trasimeno lake, Umbria. Supplied by Christie’s International Real Estate.

TRASIMENO LAKE, UMBRIA

OK, so I have to admit, my excitement in this property is somewhat misplaced. I misread Trasimeno Lake as Tiramisu and, being somewhat hungry, put the cart before the horse a little. As it turns out, I’ve lucked out, because while this property doesn’t satisfy my sweet tooth, it does has everything I look for in a dream home.

Medieval tower on the Trasimeno lake, Umbria. Supplied by Christie’s International Real Estate.

Plenty of timber, plenty of exposed stone, more than a few fireplaces, a stack of history and set on a block that would give me more than enough room to go shirtless and feral. Built in 1363, the building was at one time used as a defensive fortress before being abandoned in the 17th century and later turned into a private residence.

Medieval tower on the Trasimeno lake, Umbria. Supplied by Christie’s International Real Estate.

I can see it now – me gathering a group of merry men as we quit our jobs, drink mead, take up falconry and declare war on the nearest neighbour – who’s actually quite a nice bloke called Terry who’s bought himself a small hobby farm to just escape the rat race and slow things down a little, and brew some small-batch kombucha on the side for some pocket money. We go on to be the best of friends. Yeah, I think this will work out well …

Price not disclosed

911 Coolangatta Road, Lunawanna. Supplied by First National.

LUNAWANNA, TASMANIA

This week, our search for an Australian dream home takes us to (drum roll to build suspense …) TASMANIA!

Regular readers of our paper’s Luxe section will have suspected that was coming, as, given the eastern states have their hands well and truly full with coronavirus, it’s probably best we steer clear of them, even if in image form. Can’t be to careful these days. The virus doesn’t discriminate …

911 Coolangatta Road, Lunawanna. First National.

Anyway, this week our hunt takes us to gorgeous Bruny Island in Tasmania, famed for its rich agricultural land, fresh air, laid-back lifestyle and its 1998 Over 80s World Calisthenics Championship-winning team. OK, so I got a little carried away again, but this place is a cracker.

911 Coolangatta Road, Lunawanna. First National.

It’s set on 39.56ha of unspoilt land and has three premium self-contained residences across its sprawling landscape. Known as Hundred Acre Hideaway, it’s actually a hot tub retreat. You know what that means, people? That’s right! Clothes will come off, Lagavulin 16 shall be drank, and Steinbeck will be read. And I’m not coming out until I’m properly shrivelled. Like ‘old lady from Titanic’ shrivelled. Go pruney or go home, I believe is the expression.

911 Coolangatta Road, Lunawanna. First National.

There’s no word on whether this place comes with a hot tub time machine – let’s go ahead and assume it doesn’t because there’s no mention of it in the ad.

Still a good deal though …

$1.1 million

Compiled by Tom Bowden

All overseas properties for sale through Christie’s International Real Estate. Christiesrealestate.com

The post Dream homes: See inside the world’s most amazing properties appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Farewell after 55 years – Andy Buttfield and his wife Jo Buttfield at their Lavender Bay home.

A point-blank view of the Harbour Bridge is one of the most coveted outlooks for Sydney property buyers.

But for Andy Buttfield and his wife Jo, it is much more than just a view.

Mr Buttfield was the chief project engineer who developed BridgeClimb Sydney, which opened in 1998.

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Since then about four million people have climbed Australia’s most iconic bridge.

The view can be seen from just about every angle.

The Buttfields have a box seat view of the bridge from their home of 55 years at 35 Bay View St, Lavender Bay.

And Mr Buttfield said he had never tired of seeing people climb up and down the bridge.

“It’s been a phenomenally successful venture for the bridge and the city,” he said.

“I often say, ‘oh that view, you get used to it’, a bit flippantly, but it is very special.”

What a view.

BridgeClimb Sydney isn’t Mr Buttfield’s only impressive pedigree. He is also the grandson of Holden founder Sir Edward Holden and the son of late Federal Liberal senator Dame Nancy Buttfield.

Mr Buttfield said he did not feel a strong connection to the Holden brand, which has been owned by General Motors since 1931, and was not surprised to hear General Motors’ announcement earlier this year that it was retiring the Holden brand and would cease production by the end of 2021.

“From a family connection it’s so far distant that it doesn’t mean that much to me personally,” he said.

“It is the end of an era, but it’s not been Holden for a long time, it’s General Motors.”

Andy Buttfield and his wife Jo Buttfield with dog Alf at their Lavender Bay home.

It is also the end of a different kind of era for the Buttfields, who have decided to sell up and move to their property in Bowral, previously a weekender.

Mr Buttfield said they had spent much of the COVID-19 pandemic at their Bowral home, and moving there permanently was a natural progression.

“This (35 Bay View St) was a run down dump when I bought it,” he said.

“I’ve spent 40 years taking a wreck of a house into something we’re proud to be in, and now the job’s finished.

Dine with a view.

Belle Property Neutral Bay Principal Mark Jackson plans to take the luxury property, set in one of Lavender Bay’s most sought-after streets, to private auction on August 29. A price guide of $10 million has been set for the property.

The impressive five-bedroom home is serviced by a lift to all levels, and includes self-contained accommodation on the lower level with separate entry, and accommodation for two cars.

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The Veronicas are selling their property in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Image supplied.

AUSTRALIAN singing sensations The Veronicas are selling their tropical oasis in the Sunshine Coast hinterland where they worked on their new album.

Lisa and Jessica Origliasso bought the sprawling Landsborough property for $695,000 in 2019 when they moved back to Queensland from Los Angeles.

The Veronicas are selling this property in Landsborough, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, complete with an outdoor hot tub.

The remote location has been perfect for reflecting, creating their latest music and keeping a low profile, although the pop duo is frequently spotted around Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Speaking exclusively to The Courier-Mail, Lisa and Jess said they were reluctantly relocating and looking for a buyer for their hidden retreat.

The homestead on the property has recently been renovated.

“It has been a dream living on the Sunshine Coast, so close to Australia Zoo, and amongst the most beautiful hiking trails and beaches in the world,” the girls said.

The chart-toppers say they love the privacy of the property and the architectural features of the house, along with the ability to grow vegetables and fruit trees, have dogs and chickens, and still only be 40 minutes from Brisbane CBD.

The property contains a shed and studio with a sleep-out and ensuite.

It’s been the perfect place to quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have been focusing on time with family, growing our own food, cooking, home renovations, and finishing our album of course, too,” they said.

This studio, which is separate to the house, could be used as a home gym.

“We have really appreciated having the land to ground us daily, the hot tub, and the privacy.

“We have been so blessed to have such an inspiring home to live in and create in during this time.”

The Veronicas’ property is in Landsborough in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

While they admit the pandemic has had an impact on the Australian music industry, they have learned to adapt to the situation.

“For us it’s about staying grateful for the opportunity to grow in new ways, spending time grounded in one place for the first time in 15 years, and continuing to stay inspired and flexible.

The homestead has a large balcony overlooking lush lawns and gardens.

“Nothing in life is permanent, so being present and kind is what is most important.”

The Veronicas are about to release their first album in six years, Human, and have just launched their latest single, Biting My Tongue.

Inside the house The Veronicas are selling in Landsborough.

When asked what fans can expect from the album, the girls replied: “Our fans know to expect the unexpected.”

Their rural retreat is for sale with John Stamp, principal and lead agent at Belle Property Sunshine Coast.

One of the bathrooms inside the home.

The homestead has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and sits on a huge 2773sqm of land, on the edge of a national park.

The house has recently been renovated and features a master bedroom with his and hers walk-in wardrobes and an ensuite with twin basins and a rain shower.

The kitchen features gas cooking, stone benchtops and brass hardware.

The kitchen features gas cooking, stone benchtops and beautiful brass hardware.

There is also an undercover deck that offers an outdoor kitchen and entertaining space overlooking the yard.

The master bedroom features his and hers walk-in wardrobes and an ensuite with twin basins and a rain shower.

When the girls were in need of some relaxation, they just hopped in the five-seat, outdoor cedar hot tub.

And who needs a recording studio when you have a 168 sqm shed to convert into the perfect space to belt out a tune.

A close-up of the ensuite, which features twin basins, a rain shower and a circular freestanding bath.

Next to the shed is a studio room with an automated roller door, sleep-out and ensuite.

Jess and Lisa said they were considering investing in Queensland real estate again now they “have a taste for architecture, interior design and renovations”.

“We are really interested in continuing down that path for future real estate opportunities.”

The kitchen and living area features a fireplace for those cool evenings.

The post Pop stars The Veronicas selling their QLD hinterland hideaway appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Sellers need to think about the market differently, agents say.

COVID-19 has yet to strike a major blow to property prices but the economic fallout from the pandemic has shifted how sales campaigns should be run, property experts claim.

It comes as housing sales data showed most recent sellers have been scoring prices higher than those recorded last year despite a recent fall in values over the past three months.

Sydney’s median home price, which is based on sales of units, townhouses and houses, inched down 2.1 per cent over the three months to July, according to CoreLogic.

But the $866,000 median was still about 12 per cent higher than over July last year and 15 per cent higher than it was before the federal election in May last year.

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Ayre Real Estate principal and director Adrian Wilson said the pandemic’s impact on the market was unmistakeable but the changes were not always what many expected.

“We’re finding that what many may initially perceive to be a negative is turning into a positive,” Mr Wilson said. “One impact has been the reduction in the numbers of people inspecting properties (but) we’re actually getting more serious buyers rather than the window shoppers.”

Selling to these buyers – many of who were first homebuyers or those upgrading from units – required adapting to some key seller trends, Mr Wilson said.

One was a surge in pre-auction offers or early offers for private sales, he said. “Often the best offers come in within the first week or so, so be prepared to jump on a genuine offer at the right level,” Mr Wilson said.

“Unlike in a booming market, where you might expect more buyer interest or competition in the weeks leading up to auction, that’s not necessarily the case right now.

“Many qualified, ready-to-go buyers are usually inspecting and offering in week one, or even pre-market.”

Sellers also needed to prepare for fewer house hunters at open for inspections. “Don’t panic,” Mr Wilson said. “Even though we are experiencing lower numbers, those coming through are generally more qualified.

Fewer buyers are coming through open for inspections compared to previous years but there was an upside to this, Mr Wilson said.

“This isn’t a bad thing. It means serious buyers have a better opportunity to engage with the agent and inspect the property in detail.”

Off market sales or cheaper marketing campaigns were not a good idea, Mr Wilson added.

“Now is not the time to skimp on the advertising budget. Your agent should be proposing a well-rounded, wide-net approach or you will be missing crucial buyer opportunities.”

Mr Wilson said sellers needed to keep in mind that some properties were selling at price records while others that should have sold well fell flat. “Be open to the element of surprise,” he said. “In this market, anything can happen.”

Selling during the economic uncertainty of COVID-19 also meant making sure your property was well-presented. “If you were planning on changing the curtains and carpet, then do it.

Every hurdle in today’s market means buyers calculate price revisions,” Mr Wilson said. “Have the property presenting its best … if it’s a house, have a pest and building report done so buyers can easily review the property and you can attract higher levels of interest quickly.”

Cooley Auctions director and auctioneer Damien Cooley noted there has been a recent rise in pre-auction sales but advised vendors to always seek the best advice of their agents before accepting one.

“The most important thing is to listen to the advice of your agent,” Mr Cooley said. “They will know from experience what’s best and it’s that experience that you’re paying for.”

The post Selling a home during COVID-19: vendors urged to rethink their approach appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A ban on Melbourne buyers who are locked down in stage four coronavirus restrictions has impacted regional Victoria’s property markets.

The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed with the Herald Sun that prospective buyers and renters in metropolitan Melbourne could not travel to regional areas for private property inspections.

But those already living in regional Victoria, under stage three restrictions, can still arrange for private inspections of homes.

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178 Mollison Street, Kyneton is for sale.

With work to be done, it’s the sort of property buyers ought to inspect themselves.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Leah Calnan said city buyers temporarily disappearing from regional markets could take its toll.

“The restrictions will substantially quieten them down the six weeks.” Ms Calnan said.

But agents remain hopeful the pause won’t excessively harm the in-demand markets.

Keatings Woodend agent Sandi Barry-Mueller said a “surge in demand during May and June” had added strength to the market despite two lockdowns this year.

“We usually have half of our buyers from the city, while the other half are local,” Ms Barry-Mueller said.

“But Melbourne buyers are quite fast and furious … one local buyer commented they might actually get a chance to buy something over the next five weeks.”

345 Lauriston Reservoir Road, Kyneton sold before stage four restrictions hit the city.

She expected a quieter month ahead, but encouraged vendors to prepare their properties for a spring sales campaign.

“We still have an amazing amount of Melbourne buyers who want to move here, so as it stands I think we will have another surge when these restrictions lift again.”

Biggin & Scott Ballarat director Francesca Nichol said some prospective vendors had left the market with plans to “relaunch in a month”.

1405 Sturt Street in the Ballarat suburb of Newington is on the market.

It has a $1.75-$1.85m price guide.

“We have a lot of things coming up but we are holding them off the market, so it’s worth people calling us up to see whether they could do an off-market deal with us, or get first access to a property after restrictions,” Ms Nichol said.

The agent this week successfully sold a property via Facetime to a Melbourne couple who never attended a physical inspection.

“They had a building inspector come through to give them the cold hard facts before they decided to buy,” Ms Nichol said.

“While it’s not the same as seeing a property in person, it’s still better than sitting holed up in a Melbourne apartment.”

Ballarat’s property market could be put on pause this month. Picture: Visit Ballarat

Melburnians who had already moved to Ballarat rental properties during coronavirus were also pushing ahead with their search, she said.

Barry Plant Highton director Kieron Hunter said Melbourne buyers competed for properties in his Geelong patch via online auction during the first weekend of stage four lockdown.

That included a Highton property at 278 Scenic Road, which sold $36,500 above reserve for $901,500.

278 Scenic Road, Highton sold via online auction.

One Melbourne buyer bid for the property.

But Mr Hunter said losing Melburnians from the market “hadn’t put the fear in a lot of (Geelong) vendors”.

“Out of auctions we are running, there is usually one Melbourne buyer to about five others in Geelong,” Mr Hunter said.

“The property market is being driven by people who are already in the area and want to stay in the same school zones, but upgrade.”

He said Melbourne buyers were still finding ways to compete, by recruiting relatives or local buyer’s advocates to inspect homes for them.

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AFL legend Jason Akermanis is suited and booted, ready to sell houses as part of Ray White Ascot. He will be mentored by agency director Dwight Ferguson (left)

AFL legend Jason Akermanis hopes to be kicking goals in the property market after joining Ray White Ascot as an estate agent and auctioneer.

The Brownlow Medallist, dubbed ‘Aker’ throughout his career, played 248 games for the Brisbane Lions, kicking 263 goals and winning the AFL Premiership three times. Now, Mr Akermanis has set his sights on making his ‘mark’ on the real estate industry.

The ex footballer admitted his decision to enter the real estate industry was a little spontaneous, but he professes to having had an interest in property from a young age, thanks to his Mum.

Jason Akermanis spent the past few years improving his golfing skills. Photo: David Kapernick, Golf Queensland

“We didn’t have much growing up but Mum managed to save up and she bought a house in Kedron,” he said.

“She was always teaching me things, such as if you’re going to invest in property it’s good to have a nice house but it’s the land that goes up, and location is crucial. It was general stuff like that, but it’s always good to hear and it’s the type of advice that we have always done well out of,” he said. “If you can afford it and you can stick to the general rules then you’re never going to go wrong.”

Ironically, Mr Akermanis and his family are themselves in the market for a home having recently returned to Queensland to live after 14 years away.

Mr Akermanis is married to speech therapist Megan Legge to whom he has two daughters Charlotte and Sienna.

“At the moment we’ve got nothing. We sold our house in Melbourne and I came up first and the girls were meant to follow but they were delayed and then before we knew it they closed the borders, so it was a mad rush to get here, but they made it.

Akermanis has ditched his trademark blond crop for which he was famous back in his AFL-playing days.

“We’re staying with my wife’s family, so there’s ten of us in three-bedroom house, with her parents stuck in the caravan outside. It’s crazy stuff but we make it work.”

Mr Akermanis’s foray into real estate is not the first career change he has made since stopping playing professional football. He has been involved with several tech-based start-ups and most recently was pursuing a golfing ambition before deciding he wanted to try something entirely different.

Having been in his new role for just two weeks, Mr Akermanis said he was looking forward to mastering his new profession under the mentorship of Ray White Ascot director Dwight Ferguson.

“I’m excited to start this new path, to educate myself and to grow as a sales agent. I’m looking forward to finding my place within the real estate industry, talking to people, getting to know them, and building relationships.

“There are plenty of people wanting to buy and sell property in Brisbane and I relish the chance to be a part of that.”

Mr Akermanis has a particular eye on becoming an auctioneer, yet is no stranger to handling a gavel.

“I’ve spent the past 20 years auctioning off stuff at footy clubs and gigs to raise money for charity, who would have thought, all these years later, that I would get an auctioneer’s licence and be able to do it professionally selling houses,” he said.

“If anyone will give me a go, I’d be happy to auction their place.

“At the end of the day I just want to master my craft and have the enjoyment of autonomy.”

Mr Ferguson said that Mr Akermanis was an exciting addition to the Ray White team.

“I’ve employed a lot of ex-athletes in the past and the vast majority of them have gone on to be a great success in the real estate industry,” Mr Ferguson said. “I expect the same from Jason.”

The post AFL star Jason Akermanis joins Ray White as an estate agent appeared first on realestate.com.au.

No. 432 King St at Newtown is set to go to auction on August 29.

Savvy buyers are gearing up to have a crack at a rare shop front in the heart of the Newtown’s King St.

The building has three bedrooms and is being offered for the first time in more than 30 years.

With a $1.35 million guide, 432 King St at Newtown sits on 167sqm and is due to go to auction on August 29.

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The shop front.

The property is one of the first listings for Adrian William — a new agency started by local real estate agents Adrian Tsavalas and William Pereira.

Mr Tsavalas said the property is unlike anything that has been for sale on King St in recent memory.

“It has been several years since a single street shop and residence has sold on the Newtown strip,” he said.

There is a small courtyard at the rear.

An upstairs bedroom.

The property is described as an entry-level opportunity to get a foot into the lucrative King St market, and is set to appeal to investors and those looking to run a business out of it.

Spread across three levels and with the shopfront separate from the residential area, the property also enables the purchaser multiple income streams.

“An investor could easily reconfigure the floorplan to get three income streams from the shop, upstairs and the rear studio,” Mr Tsavalas said.

The rear office.

The lower ground has a studio, laundry and kitchen, while the first floor has two bedrooms.

A shop front, second kitchen and a back office can be found on the ground floor of the premises.

The unique listing comes at a time when real estate agents are reporting strong buyer turnout at open homes.

“For every property we show at the moment, we are still getting two to three qualified buyers who are ready to make a move,” Mr Tsavalas said.

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There’s three apartments remaining in the Harbour View Apartments complex at 72-74 Newcombe St, Portarlington.

They may not be able to dine out at the pub next door for a while but the first residents have moved into a new multistorey apartment complex that’s risen above Portarlington’s town centre.

Buyers were quick to purchase off the plan at Harbour View Apartments, with only three finished residences still available in the development.

Neville Richards, St Leonards agent Luke Campbell said several people had now moved into the complex, which has transformed the streetscape at 72-74 Newcombe Street, Portarlington.

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The apartment complex sits beside the Portarlington Grand Hotel.

The four-storey building is home to 10 apartments on the top three floors and three commercial premises on street level.

Mr Campbell said the development had proved popular with owner occupiers, investors and lifestyle purchasers who were drawn to its central location.

The complex offers bay views and easy access to the nearby Portarlington ferry and foreshore and was designed to match the height of the neighbouring Portarlington Grand Hotel.

The three remaining apartments have balconies and quality kitchen finishes.

And two bathrooms.

They are positioned at the rear of the complex.

“You just walk out your door and everything is there,” Mr Campbell said.

“Normally we would have coffee shops, obviously not at the moment.”

The three remaining two-bedroom, two bathroom apartments at 103, 104 and 203/72-74 Newcombe Street, Portarlington are on the market for $800,000 and offer open-plan living, balconies and a secure carpark.

There’s rear access to a secure carpark.

“They have come up very well, they were well built,” Mr Campbell said.

“Considering some of the designs that are out there they’re very decent sized rooms.”

He said the three commercial premises available to lease were suitable for a variety of tenancy types.

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