Blog

14 Parliament Street, Sandy Bay. Picture: SUPPLIED

THE chance to purchase a home of this stature, elegance and old word appeal is a rarity.

Its position? Outstanding.

The level of luxury on offer? Superb.

The effortless fusion of period details with sophisticated modern convenience? Oh yes, it ticks that box with ease, too.

No.14 Parliament Street is the only home for sale in this desirable street right now. And, speaking of the rarity of the opportunity to purchase in this neighbourhood, just one home has sold in this street so far in 2020.

Gorgeous period details.

Indoor-outdoor flow.

Sophisticated and stylish.

Knight Frank property consultant Abi Freeman said since launching, the home had attracted a very good level of interest.

She said potential buyers adored the great location and the superb street appeal.

“It also benefits from having the Parliament Street Oval and Fitzroy Gardens on your doorstep, without having to mow the lawns,” she said.

Abi believes the location has to be on the top of any Best Features list for this property.

She said it had so much to offer.

“The home is in immaculate condition,” she said.

“It has a flexible floorplan that can be configured as a three-bedroom home. Currently it is being used as two bedrooms plus a study.

“And there is no shortage of space with its formal lounge or second living room.

“For people that enjoy entertaining, this home would be fantastic. It flows from the lounge room, through a living area to a courtyard — plenty of room for a party.

“It is a home where living is easy, and it only requires low maintenance.

“The property is walking distance to the city, Battery Point, Sandy Bay precinct, the beach, schools, university, nearby restaurants, and so much more is at your fingertips.”

Picture perfect.

Light filled.

Work from home.

Who would be the ideal buyer for this graceful, refined home?

“A professional couple, or a small family,” Abi said. “Or perhaps someone that wants a city base.”

No.14 was built in the early 20th century.

This solid brick, two-storey townhouse is situated in one of Hobart’s prime locations, close to the city in a leafy area of upper Sandy Bay.

Over the years, the home has been sensitively renovated to accommodate modern living, while retaining many beautiful period features such as ceiling roses and cornices, original banisters and attractive bay windows.

A spacious, light and airy living and dining room at the front of the house leads through to a stylish modern kitchen with Tasmanian oak timber floors and quality appliances.

An expansive island bench accommodates preparation and mealtime, while a cosy sitting area at the rear opens onto the delightful sandstone courtyard.

The courtyard looks like it was plucked from a glossy magazine, with beautiful greenery, sunshine and privacy.

Enjoy a meal with friends.

Have a soak in the tub.

And what a treat to have a spot to relax such as this in a city property.

The free flow of these living spaces makes the home ideal for family living or entertaining.

The lower level is also home to a concealed laundry that sits neatly beneath the staircase.

A modern bathroom with a bathtub and shower over is just beyond the laundry.

A store room, accessed from the courtyard, completes this level of the home.

The top floor of the home is dedicated to the sleeping quarters, including a beautiful master bedroom with an ensuite and two generous bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, one currently used as a home office.

A window-seat within the bay window of the master is an ideal spot for relaxing and enjoying the scenes across the park to the river beyond.

Classic Hobart vista.

Simply stunning.

They can also be appreciated from the charming adjacent balcony, while from the rear windows of the home, Mount Wellington can be viewed.

The house has efficient hydronic heating and provides off-street parking for two cars behind the security of electric gates.

This property is barely a five-minute drive from the Hobart CBD. Cafes, medical facilities, public and private schools, and the water recreational areas of Marieville Esplanade are all close at hand.

No.14 Parliament Street, Sandy Bay is listed with Knight Frank at “Offers over $1.2 million”.

The post Dream homes in this street are all too rare appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Gold Coast developer Ron Bakir’s Homecorp Property Group is teaming with global funds manager Morgan Stanley to create the city’s first dedicated build-to-rent project, a $200 million venture at Varsity Lakes.

The Capital Court project, comprising four towers of nine to 16 storeys, is to go on an elevated site at Varsity Lakes in the heart of the central Gold Coast’s education and technology hub.

It is expected to become a long-term home for some renters, including families.

The development, to be undertaken in two stages, will involve 450 one and two-­bedroom apartments on a 1.3ha site.

MORE NEWS

New playground boasts an interactive bike track

Clive Palmer buying out the neighbours

Why cashed-up buyers are going rural

It has been bought for $11.25m from a syndicate that earlier acquired it from the Sunland Group. The project’s first stage is expected to start before Christmas.

The Ron Bakir-founded Homecorp, which has delivered more than $1.5 billion in residential projects over the past 16 years, describes the project as a major step toward a diversification of its portfolio into an emerging sector of the property market.

Build-to-rent is an established business model in the US and UK where it provides a stable, long-term income-generating asset class.

Gold Coast developer Homecorp Property Group and global funds manager Morgan Stanley plan to create the city’s first dedicated build-to-rent project, a $200 million venture at Varsity Lakes. Picture: Supplied

“This project leads Homecorp into a new era by leveraging us into a sector that we believe will command a much higher market share over the next decade,” Mr Bakir said.

“It’s a compelling business model that has been recognised by Morgan Stanley at a time when affordability constraints are impacting on homeownership levels.

“This will be the first purpose-built project for the Gold Coast to utilise the build-to-rent model and it comes at a time when tight rental vacancies have persisted for many years.

“The Varsity towers will provide residences where families may choose to live for many years at a time, even across generations, so this project has been designed with that specific purpose in mind.”

Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir in his Surfers Paradise office. Picture: Regi Varghese

Mr Bakir said Capital Court was crafted to create a village atmosphere by providing lifestyle amenities, including a residents’ club, cafe, expansive outdoor swimming pool area, a large gymnasium, a dog-wash park, games room and a cinema.

He said the Gold Coast’s Condev group was the intended builder of the project.

Morgan Stanley, which has a successful track record of investing on the Gold Coast, has $US552 billion in funds under management and has been an active investor in the global build-to-rent sector.

Homecorp’s construction arm, which was established by Mr Bakir in 2014, is majority-owned by Japanese industrial giant Toyota.

The post Gold Coast developer Ron Bakir’s Homecorp Property Group teams up with funds manager Morgan Stanley for build-to-rent project appeared first on realestate.com.au.

More Sydney residents are planning a move to the Sunshine Coast.

COVID-19 is poised to drive an exodus of people from Australia’s biggest cities as families bring forward plans to make a sea-change.

Agents reported a recent surge in buyer inquiries from Sydney and Melbourne residents keen to make a move up the coast once restrictions ease, with the Sunshine Coast proving a popular choice.

Data from Image Property showed inquiries for Sunshine Coast properties from Sydney and Melbourne buyers were up 20 per cent from last year.

MORE: Mum and dad list after kids destroy home

‘Aussie John’ Symond sells $150m superyacht

Image Property Sunshine Coast agent Nathan Christmas said increased work from home arrangements were making the region more appealing for cashed up buyers from NSW and Victoria.

“These buyers have decided to bring forward their ‘sea-change’ plans and relocate here as soon as they are able to do so,” he said.

Coastal properties are appealing for Sydney and Melbourne buyers because they get more bang for their buck.

“This is generally because they will be working from home in the future, perhaps with a flight down to Sydney or Melbourne for work purposes a few times a month.

“They are attracted by our affordable property prices but also by the coast’s enviable lifestyle, which was never more attractive than during the lockdown when our residents could still walk along the beach or go for a surf.”

Mr Christmas said two of his recent sales were to Sydney buyers who viewed and bought the properties remotely.

They were shown through the properties via video chat as they couldn’t be there physically because of the closed borders and other restrictions, he added.

“The future of the coast property market is certainly bright with more interstate migrants likely to head north once the pandemic passes.”

Propertyology director Simon Pressley said the increased popularity of regions such as the Sunshine Coast was related to COVID-19.

“COVID-19 will create a permanent structural change within Australian real estate,” Mr Pressley said.

“Locations which offer reduced density, smaller mortgages and desirable outdoor lifestyles will be beneficiaries.”

Many Sydney and Melbourne buyers often sought a sea-change in the areas they holidayed in, Mr Pressley added.

“Residents from Sydney and Melbourne (are) attracted to Queensland’s warmer weather and Brisbane doesn’t have beaches. Many of them already feel a connection with the Sunshine Coast because they have enjoyed holidays there.

“A lifestyle upsize and a mortgage downgrade is pretty appetising. When compared to Sydney and Melbourne, the Sunshine Coast doesn’t have the high-rise housing density – rather from $500,000, a young family can buy a standard house, through to multimillion-dollar luxury.”

Most Sydneysiders seeking a sea-change considered regions they holidayed in.

The Sunshine Coast has also attracted more tenants.

Image Property director Joel Davis said the coast’s rental market was booming with multiple applications on every property common.

“Rental properties are receiving mass inquiries within the first few hours of being listed,” Mr Davis said.

“We are receiving multiple applications on properties before the first open home, which is often attracting more than 15 people.”

The Sunshine Coast rental market was undersupplied before the pandemic with a vacancy rate of just 1.4 per cent in March, according to SQM Research.

Propertyology director Simon Pressley.

Mr Davis said that after a temporary rate increase in April, the coast’s vacancy rate was now only 1.2 per cent – the lowest in nearly six years.

“Plenty of prospective tenants are contacting us because they are struggling to find a suitable rental property because of the strong competition for properties at present,” he said.

“This undersupply of rental stock is resulting in rents increasing by about five to 10 per cent compared to a few months ago.”

The post Sydney and Melbourne residents bring forward sea-change plans due to COVID-19 appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Shelley Craft used her years of experience hosting The Block to turn around her own nine-week challenge renovating her dream beach shack.

TV star Shelley Craft of The Block has pulled off the ultimate renovation transforming a 70-year-old fibro beach shack on a tight budget in just nine weeks.

The much loved Aussie TV personality and her husband Christian Sergiacomi took a fibro surf shack and turned it into a chic coastal pad that they’ve affectionately nicknamed ‘The Little Blue House’.

MORE: Susie O’Neill lists riverfront ‘wow’ home

Clive Palmer buying out the neighbours

Happiness rising as sellers get higher prices than expected

BEFORE: How the fibro home looked pre-renovation.

With a nine-week deadline, Ms Craft set about her own challenge to pull off a quirky, stylish renovation on time and under budget.

”We have replaced every wall and ceiling, as well as the entire external cladding. This 70-year-old home that once had a very tired look to it, has had a total refresh while maintaining the character and charm of the original,” she said.

Her biggest challenge was how to tackle the ageing fibro without compromising the 1950s look and feel they wanted to maintain.

DURING: The exterior was stripped.

“Although I am a huge fan of ‘retro’, there is always a level of comfort and modern living that you need to consider when renovating. So our choice of colour and styling is a nod to mid century in 2020,” Ms Craft said.

“We were determined to keep the cottage looking as original as possible, so we chose to reclad the exterior frame in Cemintel and add the battens to recreate the 1950s style,” she said.

DURING: The exterior frame was reclad with Cemintel.

“We had a really limited budget and I was incredibly surprised at the cost effectiveness of the Cemintel cladding. So much so, that we could afford to do the exterior of the adjacent garage as well, all within budget.”

“Removing old fibro can certainly have the ability to scare people off a renovation project, but knowing that you can reclad your home with a superior product within a tight budget is amazing.”

AFTER: A softer feel to the exterior with walls set to stand the test of time.

Having lived weatherboard homes with paper thin walls most of her life, soundproofing the walls inside was also essential.

“One of the key challenges for Pacifico Cottage was due to it being a small home,” she said of the Byron Bay property.

“With one open plan living area and shared common walls for all bedrooms, we needed to ensure that sound travelling and unwanted noise was reduced as much as possible.”

“Therefore, finding the right plasterboard product that provided the solution to this was imperative, and helped us deliver a sense of privacy for everyone residing in the different rooms.”

BEFORE: One of the bedrooms pre-renovation.

AFTER: White adds brightness and pastels add comfort inside the home.

She used Gyprock options for walls, ceilings and wet rooms like the bathroom and laundry.

“From Superceil for our ceilings to Superchek for the walls and Aquachek in the wet areas, Gyprock had our project covered. And it’s Australian-made.”

The change was worth it, with the soundproofing helping provide privacy and helping the acoustics of the home.

AFTER: Gyprock products helped boost the acoustics of the home.

“You cannot hear a peep through the walls,” she said. “The density of the sheeting really gives an extra sense of strength to the build and a very solid feel to the property, handling bumps and dings much better than the standard.”

With the structure covered, Ms Craft’s plan was to add lightness and brightness with colour.

Pastels rule the roost outside, adding to the beachside chic of the home now.

“The home was a striking blue colour when we bought it and we wanted to have some fun this time around, so we’ve chosen to stick with that colour palette but opt for a more subdued blue.”

AFTER: New seating was added, with wood elements providing warmth.

AFTER: The home has beachside chic.

Inside the restructured home was kept clean and white, to boost natural light and add to the seaside feel.

She also used natural timber throughout the home to add warmth to rooms such as the dining and living area via the floors, tables, seating and cabinetry.

AFTER: Styling focused on plants, natural wood and pastels.

Indoor plants, textured throws and multi-level seating in the lounge lifted the areas softness and comfort level and made the space functional.

“When you build or renovate you have to think about the long term wearability, liveability and longevity of your hard work,” Mr Craft said.

“We love this little home and know that we have created a very special place that will stand the test of time.”

The next season of The Block begins August 23.

FOLLOW SOPHIE FOSTER ON FACEBOOK

The post How The Block’s Shelley Craft turned fibro to fabulous appeared first on realestate.com.au.

With stage 4 restrictions now in place across metropolitan Melbourne due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, tenants are seeking clarification about how these new restrictions will impact their living arrangements.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews specified that property and real estate, among other industries, will close for six-weeks under the tighter restrictions, with home inspections and home auctions to continue online.

All Melburnians have to adhere to strict guidelines during the six-week lockdown period.

This has left many landlords, tenants and property managers confused about how to proceed, and with such high penalties for breaching stage 4 rules ($1,652 for individuals and $9,913 for businesses), it’s no wonder all parties have been hesitant with their movements.

Moving for some tenants will still be permitted under stage 4 restrictions. Picture: realestate.com.au.rent

“We have found that about 15% of the tenants we spoke to need to move inside the lockdown period and haven’t been able to secure anything. They’re uncertain if they are allowed to enter into a new tenancy [agreement] or if they are allowed to move,” said Sam Nokes, property manager at Jellis Craig. 

However, over the past week, more clarity has emerged around the signing of new leases, moving home and general stage 4 rules for tenants. Here is what we know so far:

1. Can I move house?

Despite the 5km radius rule, tenants within metropolitan Melbourne are still able to move to a new home outside of the 5km radius, however, they cannot do so outside the curfew hours of 8pm to 5am, unless their reason for moving is due to family violence, in which case they can leave the house at any time.

Premier Daniel Andrews said in a press conference, “I don’t want to see people who are supposed to move from one place to another because the lease has run out unable to do so.”

Cleaners and removalists have been deemed as essential services during the lockdown, and many are now offering a contactless service. periodic and final inspections are allowed to go ahead by property managers in order to release bonds.

Property managers will be permitted into the property for all end of lease processes including a final inspection, along with providing new tenants with keys to their property, which was confirmed by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) on 6 August.

Property inspections will be online only during stage 4 restrictions. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty

2. How will inspections happen moving forward?

Inspections of properties will move to digital-only in metropolitan Melbourne under stage 4 restrictions, however, inspections by private appointment will still be permitted in regional Victoria, which is under stage 3 rules.

Many property managers have already adopted the online strategy and are using the digital inspections tool on realestate.com.au, or organising video calls with prospective tenants.

One major issue property managers will face, however, is leasing a property without a tenant having physically inspected it. The majority of Victorian real estate agencies require this as part of their tenancy agreement.

Needless to say, properties will be difficult to fill during this time as REIV president Leah Calnan explained.

“The rental market will absolutely be impacted if we are unable to conduct private one-on-one appointments. While the option of virtual inspections is great, there are very few tenants that agree to sign leases and move into a property without having seen it in person,” Ms Calnan said.

Property managers are also yet to be given the green light to physically attend a property to film the digital inspection.

Mr Nokes said that they have been relying on pre-existing digital inspections and other digital methods of communication.

“We’re not creating any new digital inspections, but in saying that we’ve got some properties under a break lease situation and some properties where the landlord is occupying them, so we’re doing FaceTime calls and whoever is residing in the property is doing the walk around and allowing tenants to join in, that way nobody is actually leaving the property,” he said.

Chief executive of Tenants Victoria, Jennifer Beveridge, advised that if tenants do decide to lease a property without having physically inspected it, they should do so with caution.

“There are risks in taking a property without viewing it in person, but it may be the only option for some people while stage 4 restrictions are in place,” she said.

“It’s really important that renters always be aware of their rights. If they move into a property, which they didn’t see in person and later find it needs repairs, then they are entitled to, and the landlord is obliged to, ask for the repairs to be undertaken. This is so even while stage 4 restrictions are in place.”

3. What will happen if I can’t pay rent?

Many tenants have found themselves stood down from work and unable to pay rent or bills during the health crisis.

A moratorium on evictions is still in place with talks of it being extended within Victoria in light of the stage 4 lockdown.

Tenants and landlords have been encouraged to work together to figure out a solution, whether that be negotiating a rent reduction or deferral on payments.

There are six government support payments tenants can access during COVID-19 and Consumer Affairs Victoria also suggests that tenants experiencing difficulty should get in touch with the Tenancy Assistance and Advocacy Program for more advice.

Ms Beveridge said tenants have faced many challenges during the pandemic and the introduction of stage 4 restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne amid a national recession adds a new layer of complexity. 

“Our message to renters is clear: if you are facing hardship, go for a rent reduction immediately. There is a DIY process in place here in Victoria, and even if you don’t have agreement from the landlord and agent, renters have the right to go to Consumer Affairs Victoria for mediation,” she said. 

4. Can repairs still happen in my rental?

Only emergency repairs can happen during the six-week lockdown period. The following are classed as urgent repairs under Consumer Affairs Victoria guidelines:

• • burst water service;
  • blocked or broken toilet system;
  • serious roof leak;
  • gas leak;
  • dangerous electrical fault;
  • flooding or serious flood damage;
  • serious storm or fire damage;
  • failure or breakdown of any essential service or appliance provided by a landlord or agent for hot water, water, cooking, heating, or laundering;
  • failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply;
  • any fault or damage in the premises that makes the premises unsafe or insecure;
  • an appliance, fitting or fixture that is not working properly and causes a substantial amount of water to be wasted and;
  • a serious fault in a lift or staircase.

The post Stage 4 restrictions: Top four questions for Melbourne tenants appeared first on realestate.com.au.