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Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle have secretly bought a private family home in Santa Barbara — the place they have chosen to put down permanent roots and bring up their son Archie after leaving the British royal family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been living in their new house in an upscale California community, which is also home to their friends Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have officially settled in Santa Barbara. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Amid much speculation that the couple would buy a place in Los Angeles, a source told Page Six, “Harry and Meghan have been quietly living in their own home in Santa Barbara since early July.

“They are not houseguests of Oprah or anyone else, they bought this home themselves. This is where they want to continue their lives after leaving the UK.

“This is the first home either of them has ever owned. It has been a very special time for them as a couple and as a family — to have complete privacy for six weeks since they moved in.

“They intend to put down their roots in this house and the quiet community, which has considerable privacy. This is where they want to bring Archie up, where they hope he can have as normal a life as possible.”

Oprah Winfrey will be one of the couple’s new neighbours.

… as will Portia de Rossi and Ellen DeGeneres. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Initially, Harry and Meghan had reportedly never intended to make Los Angeles their home. It was considered to be a good place for them to be upon their arrival in the US to be close to Meghan’s mum, who lives in LA.

The source would not reveal details of the home, such as the price they paid or the location, citing security concerns, but added, “They have thought about this carefully and researched it well. This is the place where they plan to be happy, make good friends and bring up Archie, giving him the chance to play with other children his age.”

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It was widely reported that Harry and Meghan had been staying at entertainment mogul Tyler Perry’s $18 million, 12-bedroom, eight-bathroom Beverly Hills mansion over the last few months. He was mentored by Oprah, and also is represented by some of the team working with Meghan and Harry in LA.

The couple were believed to be staying at Tyler Perry’s $US 18 million mansion. Picture: Google Earth

But the couple launched a lawsuit against numerous paparazzi agencies after Archie was photographed with Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland in the private driveway of the house. It is believed the pictures were shot by a drone flown over the home.

“Harry and Meghan are both very upset by this breach of privacy, but that wasn’t the reason they left Los Angeles. They were already in the process of buying their home in Santa Barbara,” the source added.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle plan on making their Santa Barbara home the place where son Archie can grow up. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)

“While it was a nice favour to them at a very difficult time, Tyler Perry’s house with 18 bedrooms isn’t Harry’s style. Yes, he grew up in royalty and the halls of Buckingham Palace, but he prefers more intimate homes with character.”

Their new digs aren’t likely to be as intimate, however, as their first marital home in London, Frogmore Cottage. When they were first married, Harry and Meghan lived at Frogmore, a historic “Grade II Listed” property in Windsor, which they renovated in a move funded by the British taxpayers for $3 million.

Harry and Meghan’s lived in Frogmore Cottage when they first married.

Santa Barbara is one of the wealthiest communities in the US, with homes on sale for more than $100 million. Oprah has a sprawling $90 million mansion in Montecito with views of the ocean.

DeGeneres has bought a few homes in Santa Barbara — including one on the next-door estate from Oprah — but in 2017 she paid $18.6 million for an oceanfront home in the enclave of Carpinteria, where Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis own a house on the same street.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their wedding day in 2018 (Photo by Ben STANSALL – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

A spokesman for the couple confirmed, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved into their family home in July of this year. They have settled into the quiet privacy of their community since their arrival and hope that this will be respected for their neighbours, as well as for them as a family.”

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This story originally appeared on the NY Post and was republished with permission.

The post Prince Harry and Meghan Markle secretly buy family home near Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfrey appeared first on realestate.com.au.

When a listing is as crazy as this, there’s not much left to do but let your inner David Attenborough loose as you explore the wild, sometimes dangerous, terrain. 

From the gaping holes in the walls, the mould-covered kitchen to the rubbish tip located under the house – there’s a reason why this home is being called ‘a bargain’ and ‘a renovator’s delight’.

Luckily for the next owner, the demolition process was kindly started by the former tenant “one punch at a time” with gaping holes in the walls and floor, exposed electrical wiring and mould pretty much everywhere.

Located in North Gosford on New South Wales’ Central Coast, the four-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 1 Linden Street has likely been through some rough times, but that hasn’t stopped agent, Richard Faulkner AKA ‘Bruce’, from filming a captivating, arguably award-worthy, documentary-style video touring the home.

Even putting his own body on the line, like any good-natured show host, when he dares to venture onto the dangerously decrepit deck.

1 Linden St North Gosford is a true renovator’s delight. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

The master bedroom features “custom-made, one-of-a-kind stained carpet” as well as easy access to the ensuite – because why bother with a door when you can enjoy chatting to your partner, “while they’re on the toosh”, explained Mr Faulkner in the video listing.

When it comes to the main family bathroom “the owners have already put their final touches on this renovation – with a fresh toilet roll – but the rest of the renovation is up to you”.

Agent, Richard Faulkner AKA ‘Bruce’, shows off the home’s features. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

While it’s true that this house has some features only a mother could love, sometimes it takes creativity to see past the flaws in a property and envisage an opportunity to transform it into your dream home. The money you could save on a project like this is no laughing matter.

Mr Faulkner said once the work has been done realistically that’ll be a $650,000 -$690,000 listing, up from the current buyer’s guide of $450,000, so it’s a fantastic opportunity to get into what is actually quite a large home and make it something really great.

“Speaking to the neighbours, they said the original owners had it looking really lovely, it was just unfortunate that upon renting the house out that there was damage done by the tenants.”

The bedrooms feature ‘bespoke stains’. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

“Structurally it’s quite sound, there’s no termite damage and the owners had partially started the renovation by removing walls, removing the toilet and there’s the unfinished kitchen.”

His approach to filming a comedic video was that he wanted to be upfront with potential buyers so they knew what they were in for:

“I didn’t want people to come to the property and be shocked.”

His approach, similarly, with the vendors is that it was a project home and they could take out a sizeable loan to renovate before selling, “or just sell it as is.”

“But you have to be upfront with people with places like this and hope they can see it for the opportunity it is,” said Mr Faulkner.

The home will be auctioned on 22 August at 10am with a buyers guide of $450,000.

The post ‘Don’t be afraid’: Agent channels Attenborough for this wild North Gosford listing appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Main Ridge House by Sarah Bryant from Bryant Alsop. Image: Rhiannon Slatter

British ex-pats Emma and Steve Rockey fell in love with the Mornington Peninsula after moving to Melbourne in 2010.

This was partly because the scenery reminded them of their former homeland.

After enjoying many weekends in the area, they began to think about buying a holiday home that could be rented out when they weren’t using it.

“We knew we couldn’t afford to have a weekender that was only used by us. So we needed it to also be a short-term rental to make it viable,” Ms Rockey explained.

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Soaring high ceilings give a sense of sprawling space. Image: Rhiannon Slatter, artwork: Joan Blond.

Mezzanines. Who doesn’t love ‘em? Photo: Rhiannon Slatter

Country charm. Photo: Rhiannon Slatter

The couple struck gold when they were able to buy a rare 950sq m block — and the rundown 1960s brick veneer house that stood on it — in Main Ridge.

“We didn’t want a big plot of land as we weren’t going to be there all the time, so the size was perfect,” she said.

“And the location … near to the strawberry farm and within walking distance of five wineries — including T’Gallant and Ten Minutes by Tractor — was perfect for a holiday rental.”

Exposed timber trusses give that barn look. Photo: Rhiannon Slatter, artwork: Joan Blond

STARTING OVER

While the location was spot on, the existing house wasn’t so perfect.

So the couple engaged architect Sarah Bryant from Bryant Alsop Architects to design a new

one, after falling in love with a house the practice had overhauled in nearby Shoreham.

“That house, although a renovation and extension of a 1920 weatherboard, had beautiful exposed wooden beams we adored,” Ms Rockey said.

“We also liked the fact Sarah had grown up in (nearby) Red Hill, and so knew the area like the back of her hand.”

Ms Bryant — who worked alongside graduate architect Charlotte Poulain on the project — said the couple wanted a sustainable house with four bedrooms and two living areas, which would enable two families to comfortably stay together.

“Emma and Steve also brought a little bit of English-ness to the project with the idea of an English barn, but one that fitted into its rural Australian surroundings,” Ms Bryant said.

Cosy by the fire. Photo: Rhiannon Slatter

A GREEN APPROACH

As the site was tight, maximising its use was crucial. The resulting two-storey building takes up most of the block, cleverly using visual space from the neighbouring strawberry farm.

“Borrowing the outlook from next door makes everything feel bigger, as do the exposed trusses in the living area which maximise volume,” Ms Bryant said.

Good passive solar design was integral to the project, enabling warming northern light to be captured during winter while minimising the hot, western sun in summer.

Cooling summer cross breezes are maximised through high-level windows, while solar, rainwater tanks and septic sewerage are also in use.

There are two bedrooms and a bathroom on each floor. The downstairs level also features a large open-plan kitchen, living and dining space with cavernous cathedral ceilings.

Upstairs, a mezzanine houses a second living area, while a covered outdoor deck provides more sitting and dining space.

“It’s a bit of an Alice in Wonderland house in that it has these quite restrained, compact cosy spaces, and then opens up into these vast, voluminous rooms,” Ms Bryant said.

A space for the warmer months. Photo: Rhiannon Slatter

Blue baby. Photo: Rhiannon Slatter

Passive solar design keeps things green. Photo: Rhiannon Slatter

MATERIAL WORLD

To continue the weekend barn theme, a restrained palette of materials were chosen with an emphasis on natural finishes.

Externally, the house was clad in corrugated black metal that’s reminiscent of local agricultural buildings.

Inside, timber accents are key. Exposed trusses, cabinetry and oak-lined ceilings in the kitchen area add warmth to the white walls.

Blue cabinetry and a tiled splashback in the kitchen add colour to the predominantly neutral palette.

When the nine-month build was finished in October 2019, the couple celebrated with a big family Christmas with daughters Ella, 5, and Millie, 2, and relatives from England.

Ms Rockey said they couldn’t be happier with their new weekender.

“Sitting outside on the deck with a glass of wine, watching the sun go down while the

kids play in the cubby house is really special,” Ms Rockey said.

Their initial plan was to stay at least once a month. But after bookings were restricted during COVID-19, they decided paying guests would have to take priority, when possible, for the foreseeable future.

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Bathe in luxury. Photo: Rhiannon Slatter

Bryantalsop.com.au

Mainridgebarn.com.au

The post Short-stay rentals: Creating a stylish barn-style Main Ridge pad appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The federal government’s HomeBuilder scheme is on the minds of many current and would-be renovators, who are questioning how best to spend the $25,000 grant. 

The tax-free payment for eligible owner-occupiers, including first-home buyers, is aimed at those who have received planning permission for a project budgeted between $150,000 and $175,000. The scheme was created as a way to stimulate activity in Australia’s construction industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A multiple-time winning builder from 2019’s The Block and founder of Elevate Building Group, Matt Menichelli, said HomeBuilder has prompted a lot of people to get moving with home renovations they might have been thinking about for a while.

The Melbourne-based builder, who is currently experiencing what he calls a “shakeup” from the newly announced stage 4 restrictions is seeking clarity on exactly how to best manage the new obligations.

What you can get for the $25k HomeBuilder grant

When it comes to ways to spend the government bonus it needs to be considered within the context of a renovation costing between $150,000 – $175,000 which is quite a considerable renovation budget and will cover quite a few areas of the home.

For that price you can look at renovating the kitchen, bathroom, sprucing up the laundry and adding a bedroom, according to Mr Menichelli.

“The extra $25,000 could easily add an extra area to your already-planned renovation. Whether it’s an alfresco area, bathroom reno or a laundry upgrade.

Kitchen renovations have been popular amid the health pandemic. Picture; Getty

How to avoid needing to get planning approval on a renovation

For those wanting to avoid having to go through council or planning permission to change their project scope, Menichelli suggested spending the bonus on upgrading fixtures and fittings and keeping the changes cosmetic, which don’t require approval or complicate the permit process and potentially extend timelines.

This will take a mid-range budget renovation to a higher level of luxury with a better quality of finish. Think about purchasing higher-end appliances, adding bespoke storage or higher quality fittings in the spaces you’re renovating.

Menichelli also suggested using it to upgrade the performance of the home such as installing energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling and installing double-glazing on the windows:

“This is an important aspect that is often overlooked or isn’t valued,” he said. 

“Upgrading insulation, adding more efficient heating/cooling can lead to a more comfortable home,  and will also save you money on running costs in the long term.”

Balconies and outdoor spaces are being searched for by would-be buyers. Picture: Getty

How to apply for a HomeBuilder grant

If you’re interested in applying for the HomeBuilder grant, Menichelli warns you’ll need to be prepared to act quickly.

“To be eligible for the one-off $25,000 grant, renovators will need to have their plans approved by 31 December 2020, which means having a builder engaged and contracts signed as well as planning permission approved by local council authorities, if necessary.”

You’ll then need to apply for the grant through your state or territory authority once applications open, and construction must commence within three months of the contract date.

Applying for the HomeBuilder grant is best done through a registered and licensed builder. Picture: Getty.

New HomeBuilders grant

For those in the planning stages of building a new home or have purchased a house and land package, the good news is that these projects will be eligible for the scheme.

Speak to your builder about what you need to do to start the process of applying.

HomeBuilder grant eligibility

To check your project’s eligibility, you’ll need to speak to a registered builder, but there are some other eligibility requirements to be aware of, according to the HomeBuilder government fact sheet.

You must be over 18 and meet one of the following two income caps: $125,000 per annum for an individual applicant based on your 2018-19 taxable income or later or; $200,000 per annum for a couple based on both 2018-19 taxable income or later.

Renovating amid COVID-19

“More people are spending more time at home lately and this has resulted to us getting more enquiries for smaller jobs such as kitchen renos, bathroom renos” said Mr Menichelli.

Cosmetic spruce-ups are becoming popular during a time when people might be more likely to notice the limitations of their current spaces, he added.

Baking became a trend during lockdowns earlier in the year, which put a focus on kitchens, and as people try to keep fit amid gym closures and outdoor exercise restrictions, they’re now looking at amenities in the home that support mental and physical health. Design trends are also shifting quickly during the health crisis.

Buyer search data from realestate.com.au shows searches for homes with outdoor space increased by more than 40% between April and June 2020 compared to pre-pandemic times, while gyms and studies were also front of mind for house hunters showing jumps of 37% and 31% respectively.

So if you’re thinking about renovating to sell, it could be worth thinking about adding some really desirable features to increase the sale price of your home.

The post Homebuilder grant provides ‘stability’ to cautious building industry appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Prior to the pandemic, leasing a home involved a lot of paperwork and back and forth – but the new age of moving means everything can be done from the comfort and safety of home. 

While online tools like digital application platform 1form already existed, the rental industry has pivoted to completely online processes as a result of COVID-19 social distancing rules, making the task of renting out a new home contactless.

1. Paperwork has gone completely online

Describing traditional property management as a paperwork nightmare, head of property management at Code Property Group, Terrie Kineskin, said her office was already trying to streamline things but that the pandemic helped them realise they could do more to reduce paper waste.

“We are now 100% paperless in our office…that was our biggest change in that we converted everything to online.”

2. Inspections have gone digial

Open for inspections have also changed dramatically since the health pandemic hit in mid-March.

In the early days of the health crisis, the number of people allowed into a property during an inspection was limited in most states and territories, but inspections became available by private appointment only as restrictions tightened.

Currently, in Melbourne, home inspections are banned completely under stage 4 lockdown rules, meaning they can only be done digitally. Elsewhere in the country, there are limits around social distancing and strict personal hygiene protocol needs to be followed.

“We’ve been using digital inspections long before COVID… and what it is is an effective pre-screening tool and post-COVID it will continue to be an effective pre-screening tool,” said Sam Nokes, Head of Department – Property Manager Jellis Craig in Melbourne.

“I think it’s great, it saves our agents from unnecessarily having to attend properties, which not only improves business efficiency but for the customer, they’re not viewing properties that may not meet their needs.”

Digital inspections will be the new norm for leasing, especially in Victoria. Picture: realestate.com.au/rent

But while digital inspections have been a useful tool in the COVID-19 environment, they will never be as thorough as the real thing, according to Real Estate Institute of Victoria president, Leah Calnan. 

“[Melbourne’s] rental market will absolutely be impacted if we are unable to conduct private one-on-one inspections. 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 explains.

Mr Nokes added that until more clarity is provided by the Victorian Government about whether or not an agent can physically attend a property to film a virtual inspection under stage 4 restrictions, they will not even be producing new digital inspections and will instead rely on pre-existing videos. 

“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.

Digital inspections also have some potential legal pitfalls, given that faults in a property might not be apparent on camera, said chief executive of Tenants Union Victoria, Jennifer Beveridge.

“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,” Ms Beveridge 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. Contactless removalists and cleaners

Even under the strictest of social distancing measures, removalists and cleaners are still classed as an essential service for those who are moving. In Melbourne, tenants are allowed to move home if they had arrangements in place before the stage 4 lockdown came into effect.

Many removalists and cleaning companies are now advertising a completely contactless service to protect the health and safety, not only of their staff but of tenants.

Companies such as popular removalist, Man With a Van, and Melbourne Vacate Cleaning have new guidelines for customers to follow to ensure their entire move excludes human-to-human contact.

The Victorian Government has flagged that moving house will still be allowed for some under stage 4 restrictions. Picture: Getty

These include tenants isolating in another room while the removalists do their work, leaving the front door open or a key outside the door so the removalists can gain entry, labelling all items and cleaning of high-touch areas including doorknobs and surfaces of furniture.

4. Contactless key handover

For tenants who have signed a new lease, or are ending their lease, keys will need to be exchanged between property manager and tenant.

This will move forward without contact either through lockboxes, post, or leaving the key in a safe place for the receiving individual to collect.

The post 4 ways renting a home has become contactless during to COVID-19 appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Interstate parents had the agent describe a Hawthorn East unit over the phone before submitting a bid on the property for their Victorian-based daughter.

The buyers secured the two-bedroom apartment at 6/22 Auburn Grove for $660,000 in the whirlwind sale.

The property was advertised with a $610,0000-$670,000 asking price.

“They didn’t even see it – it was really discrete,” Belle Property Balwyn agent George Yu said.

“I got a call on the last day ahead of the lockdown and they said they were very interested in the property.

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A unit at 6/22 Auburn Grove, Hawthorn East sold after an over-the-phone description.

The buyers wanted to secure a property ahead of stage four lockdown restrictions.

One of two bedrooms in the unit.

“We filled them in — we never did the virtual tour because they never asked,” Mr Yu said. “They asked us to describe the property to them. We sat on the phone for 30 minutes.”

The Perth-based parents scrambled to submit an offer on behalf of their first-home buyer daughter because they “wanted to secure something before the lockdown”, Mr Yu said.

After making an offer at the bottom of the range that was rejected, the family added an extra $50,000 to round out the sale.

The Hawthorn East unit had a balcony.

Not even a virtual tour was needed to close out the deal.

“If they’re nicely located and priced sharply, you’re going to get a sale,” Mr Yu said.

“Am I shocked this one sold so quickly? No. Am I shocked they bought and didn’t see the property? Yes.”

The sale secured an extra $79,000 for the vendors, who purchased the site for $581,000 in July 2019, CoreLogic records show.

They had also completed minor renovations.

Mr Yu also sold a two-bedroom townhouse at 13/916-918 Canterbury Rd, Box Hill South for $640,000 in late July.

A two-bedroom townhouse at 13/916-918 Canterbury Road, Box Hill South sold in late July.

Approximately $30,000 in renovations were done on the Box Hill South property.

The site, which sold for $530,000 in August 2018, gained more interest after a return of stage three restrictions.

“Before stage three, I wasn’t getting many inquiries, after stage three I got much better inquiries because people think it’s a better time to buy,” Mr Yu said.

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jack.boronovskis@news.com.au

@jackboronovskis

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Berthong – Billyard Ave, Elizabeth Bay, NSW

Retired car dealer Laurie Sutton has been revealed as selling a Darling Point mansion for $32m and buying the Elizabeth Bay waterfront trophy home Berthong for even more.

Sutton’s former home is a grand architectural masterpiece of five bedrooms and six glamorous bathrooms and is one of just four homes in exclusive Lindsay Ave, but it wasn’t directly on the waterfront.

But historic Berthong — a historic 1880s villa once owned by Rupert Murdoch and movie star Russell Crowe — has beautiful gardens leading down to the harbour.

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Berthong is right on the waterfront.

What an entrance.

Details emerged in May of Berthong selling earlier in the year, through Ken Jacobs of Christies. At the time, it was thought the deal was close to the asking price of $35m, the highest price for a house for 2020.

It was only when news emerged yesterday that Sutton had sold his Darling Point residence — which records confirm was $32m on March 4, just days after Australia’s first COVID-19 fatality — that sources indicate Sutton was the buyer of Berthong.

Berthong has beautiful gardens.

And amazing views.

The settlement records for 4 Lindsay Ave on August 8 show the buyer to be a Pamela Lee, believed to be the wife of John Borg of Borg Constructions.

The Lindsay Ave home was originally been listed with agent Alison Coopes with a $35m guide more than a year ago, but later withdrawn.

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4 Lindsay Ave, Darling Point, has views of the harbour …

… But is landlocked.

Berthong had previously been known as Macleay House and was used as a ladies college until Federation.

In 1936 it was bought by a wealthy music publisher, Frank Albert, who had built the trophy residence Boomerang next door.

The most recent vendor was lawyer Peter Ziegler and his wife Andrea.

The post Car dealer Laurie Sutton buys Elizabeth Bay’s Berthong appeared first on realestate.com.au.