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MAREEBA is experiencing a shortage of rental properties with the COVID-19 crisis prompting those currently occupying properties in the Tablelands town to stay where they are.

Aurelia Rogato from Rogato Real Estate says she hasn’t seen such a severe shortage in rental stock since opening her Mareeba business almost two decades ago.

“Mareeba has almost doubled in size in those 18 years,” she said.

“We have so many new estates now – Sunbird Park has doubled, the next stage of Amaroo is ready for release – and we still have a shortage.”

The Tablelands are going through a rental shortage

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Ms Rogato said many of the new arrivals looking to put down roots in the town are currently “missing out” on finding somewhere to live.

“Since COVID-19 people haven’t been moving and when a rental does come up it goes very quickly because we have up to eight applications for every property,” she said.

“Those looking to rent are a mix of people moving to the area as well as the natural movement of those who already living here looking to upsize or downsize.

“June, July and August is always busy because there are lots of professional transfers and we do get a lot from down south renting here while doing research to buy.

“Costs haven’t changed because COVID-19 restrictions mean rents can’t increase, but the market will change again when JobKeeper and the other extra payments from Centrelink finish.”

The Mareeba real estate agent says the demands of those looking to rent are also evolving during the pandemic.

“People have a heightened awareness of cleanliness now and prefer a property that has tiles throughout rather than carpet in some rooms,” she says.

“Children have more allergies, and there’s also the extra expense associated with carpets as it costs $80 or $100 per room to have the carpets cleaned.”

The post Tablelands Real Estate: Rental shortage in Mareeba appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Tablelands homes enjoyed a 10.5 per cent growth in equity in the last 12 months

Far North homebuyers considering a change of scenery are already looking to Cairns’ outer suburbs, but for those who don’t mind highway cruising, here is how real estate in the regional local government areas stacks up.

A common indicator of a strong real estate market is a region’s capital growth, and among the four main local government areas outside Cairns — Douglas, Mareeba, Tablelands and Cassowary Coast — there is one clear winner, according to realestate.com.au data.

In the past 12 months, property prices rose by 15.3 per cent in the Cassowary Coast, where 278 houses sold at a median price of $275,000.

Houses in this region tended to stay on the market for an average of 291 days, while ­investors collected a median rent of $315 at a 5.96 per cent yield rate.

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At Tablelands, homeowners also enjoyed gains in equity with a 10.5 per cent price rise to a median of $335,000 after 252 houses sold.

Investors were slightly worse off than the Cassowary Coast with a median rent of $350, yielding at 5.42 per cent.

Nearby, Mareeba homeowners suffered a -2 per cent change with 188 houses selling at a median price of $357,000.

However, those in the rental game enjoyed median ­returns of $375 at 5.45 per cent.

The Douglas Shire reported no change in median price in the past 12 months after 121 houses were sold in the region at a median of $480,000.

However, the popular holiday and tourist destination saw the bulk of its activity through the sales of units.

In the past 12 months, the median price of units rose 15.4 per cent to $285,000 after 157 were sold. Investors in Douglas Shire units were well off, collecting a median rent of $330 at 6.02 per cent.

The closest area for unit competition was the Cassowary Coast, where only 44 units sold but a 27.4 per cent change in median price occurred, and landlords collected $248 in rent at 6.16 per cent.

As a comparison, Cairns reported a 1.2 per cent increase in median price from 2052 house sales over the past year.

The median price was $420,000, and the median rent was $440 at 5.45 per cent.

The post Real Estate: FNQ regions compared for investment returns appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Architect Chris Klein works a little dual occupancy magic on a small inner west site. Picture: Douglas Frost

The inner city is notorious for its small block sizes, with residents often coexisting in semi-detached houses and terraces that line the suburban streets.

Narrow lots are common in St Peters, but one homeowner has doubled his property profile on a block of only 304sq m.

The secondary dwelling is a steel framed house made of brick. Pictures: Douglas Frost

Rob Lutz’s backyard provided a new site for his freestanding home. The original dwelling remained, creating additional accommodation and offering another approach to increased urban residential density.

Kreis Grennan Architecture design director Christian Grennan says a small 135sq m portion of the backyard was cut off to create a smart, three-bedroom 124sq m property.

“It’s basically three storeys, but reads as two from the street,” says Christian.

The house has been designed with felxibility in mind, allowing spaces to be used for multiple activites.

“We had to do some architectural gymnastics to make the house fit without affecting tree protection zones.

“Rob is a crafter, so it was nice to work with someone who is particular about the design and workmanship. We speak the same language in that respect. In some ways, you could say this is a straightforward humble brick dwelling with steel frames.”

The kitchen on the mid floor enjoys views of the tree canopy.

Rob, who managed the project as an owner/builder, was keen to reference the historic St Peters brickworks in the new build. His bricks use the same clay that is the source of the bricks for many buildings in the area. A selection of six brick profiles were chosen and mixed on site.

The office space is amll but enjoys good natural light.

Christian explains the building is a visually lively mix with a dark grey mortar joint.

At the rear of the project, the building is shaped like a solid block, working around the existing mature trees.

Bedrooms are compact but well-designed with plenty of storage.

“Limiting the footprint was essential to preserve the garden and the beautiful existing trees,” says Christian.

On the lower ground floor, there’s a workshop, laundry and study while the upper ground floor is an open-plan living platform connected to the street and garden. Under the roof are two bedrooms and bathrooms.

The staircase lends the house an industrial feel.

One bedroom is a flexible space suitable for exercising or for guests. Building boundary to boundary, Christian implemented some tried and tested techniques to make the compact home feel more spacious.

“We have created long sight lines, so when you walk in you look up three flights stairs and it gives you generosity in a vertical direction,” says Christian.

“Both bathrooms have flip-up roofs to get natural light in and the living room extends from front to back to capture views and allow cross-ventilation.

“The house feels generous with lots of light.”

Architect Chris Klein referenced the local brickworks when choosing building materials.

Owner/builder: Rob Lutz

Architect: Christian Grennan, Kreis Grennan Architecture, kreisgrennan.com.au

The brief: To build an additional freestanding property on a tight inner-city block.

The site: The secondary dwelling was 135sq m.

Design solution: To section off a small parcel of land in the backyard to create a compact three-storey home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

How long did it take: Nine months

THE SOURCE

Carpentry: Big Build Constructions, bigbuildconstructions.com.au

Bricklayer: Mark Jolley Bricklaying, 0414 471 683

Structural Engineer: Beukers & Ritter Consulting, 6583 2733

Lighting designer: Architectural Lighting Design, lightingdesigner.com.au

Bricks: PGH, pghbricks.com.au

Louvres: JWI Louvres, jwilouvres.com.au

Aluminium windows: Hanlon Windows, hanlonwindows.com.au

The post Architect amazes by adding second to tiny St Peters terrace appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A SOUTHSIDE treasure with drawcard panoramic views of Cairns city and surrounding mountain ranges has entered the market.

Selling agent Therese Plath of Ray White Cairns South said the Edmonton home was a “visually stunning, executive residence filled with quality finishes, glorious light-filled living and outstanding family appeal”.

The pool at 14-16 Waterfall Cl, Edmonton, incorporates those incredible views.

Swim all day in summer at 14-16 Waterfall Cl, Edmonton.

It ticks many boxes, having been recently renovated, surrounded by space and with a waterfall-edge pool. But the biggest tick of all would be the views.

“One of the biggest drawcards of this outstanding residence is the blue chip elevated position with professionally landscaped gardens,” Ms Plath said.

“You will never tire of the stunning views of Cairns city, lush picturesque mountains and rainforest. This location is simply the best.”

With a surge in demand for more remote living as a result of coronavirus, 14-16 Waterfall Close at Edmonton, could be on to a winner.

The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home features a superb chef’s kitchen with an extra wide island bench, which also functions as a breakfast bar.

Time to get the friends over for some quality entertaining at 14-16 Waterfall Cl, Edmonton.

The bright and welcoming kitchen-dining-living zone forms the heart of this home, according to Ms Plath.

The kitchen’s “flawless expression of fit and finish” is completed by black wattle timber bench tops, over-mount double sinks and a range of quality stainless-steel appliances including free-standing oven, a second integrated double oven and built-in combination microwave.

An elegant alfresco area features low maintenance tiling and lots of natural light, suitable for year-round entertaining with family and friends overlooking the resort-style saltwater swimming pool framed by lush leafy surrounds and those stunning views.

The home has been designed to create a seamless flow from one space to the next, maintained on a single level.

Need space for your boat? This home has plenty of it.

The indoor-outdoor connection is the focus, leading to an outdoor living area and swimming pool via dual sliding stacker doors.

“This home is ideal for a family that loves entertaining, having fun and enjoying everything that this property has to offer,” Ms Plath said.

The recently renovated property includes a separate parents’ retreat from the three well-proportioned bedrooms all with built-in robes. The parents’ retreat includes a comfortable media room with access to the outdoors, a large bedroom with a large walk-in robe and ensuite bathroom.

For the avid angler or caravanner, there is a separate large high-clearance powered shed with easy access via an adjoining street. With its own toilet, wash basin, ceiling fans and 3.6m high ceilings, accessed via large double folding doors, serving as the ultimate man cave.

The large block gently slopes with well-maintained lawns, established gardens and 1000 sqm of rainforest at the back of the house, which is a short walk from Isabella Falls.

The fully airconditioned home features solar panels, a security system with cameras and alarm, and an extra wide double lock garage.

The post Edmonton home with panoramic views the whole package appeared first on realestate.com.au.

40 Goodwin St, Edge Hill was a rundown property that sold for $510,000 in February above the suburb’s median price for three-bedroom homes.

BEATEN and battered, 40 Goodwin St, Edge Hill, in most buyers’ eyes was destined to be demolished. Instead it sold for above median in February and the original structure still stands.

The 1968-built home previously had one owner – a long-term Cairns family – and had been sitting vacant for about a year, withering to an unliveable condition.

Finding a property in need of a few repairs or upgrades is not an uncommon sight at Edge Hill, but what may come as a surprise is that this three-bedroom home sold for $510,000 through Ulysses Real Estate principal Donna Waldman.

Most buyer were ready to demolish 40 Goodwin St, Edge Hill but the buyer paid above median and the structure still stands.

The median price for three-bedroom houses at Edge Hill is about $480,000, according to realestate.com.au. So why would anyone pay above this, for a house they can’t immediately move in to?

Ms Waldman says Goodwin St was one of the few streets where people would make exceptions to their budgets, just to get in.

“You’ve got many people wanting to move into Edge Hill and they’re wanting to get in there as cheaply as possible,” Ms Waldman said.

“But it was the right price for the property because Goodwin St is one of the top streets in Edge Hill. It runs right behind the botanical gardens.

40 Goodwin St, Edge Hill was a couple’s entry into the elite suburb.

“You’ve got Goodwin St, Walsh St, Pine St – all these really top streets in Edge Hill right there and some of the houses there are selling for $800,000-$900,000.

“So when you look at how much they’ve (the buyers) spent on this fixer upper, and then if they spend $200,000 on it, they’re still going to come out on top.

“Generally speaking, $500,000 is actually a bargain for those streets.”

She said although the new owners would be set for a decent value gain, they weren’t planning on flipping after completing renovations.

“They wanted to purchase something to stay in long-term.

“This is their dream home. A lot of people were thinking that rather than fix it up, they’d knock it down.

“They’ve just gutted it and rebuilt inside. There was no need to pull it down and it could be easily fixed up so they took advantage of that.”

The post Edge Hill home in unliveable condition sells above median appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Gold Coast nightclub supremo Tony Rigas and partner Louise Huxham are selling their family home amid plans to relaunch cabaret club The Pink Flamingo.

The hospitality identities have listed their Ashmore acreage for $2.495 million.

The eclectic resort-style oasis occupies an elevated 4047sqm block with uninterrupted views of the Gold Coast hinterland.

The Ashmore residence occupies a 4047sqm block with hinterland views.

The couple spent nine months clearing the garden and renovating the residence, which has been their family home with 12-year-old son Jonathan for the past nine years.

“Driving past you would think it’s just a normal house, but when you come inside the gates it opens up and identifies its own little personality,” Mr Rigas said.

A longtime fixture on the Gold Coast nightclub scene, Mr Rigas has had a hand in Shooters, MyBar, Quest Lounge Bar, East, Opium and The Oriental Whiskey while Ms Huxham had popular Broadbeach haunt Love Nightlife.

Co-owner Tony Rigas, centre, is preparing to relaunch The Pink Flamingo in August.

The sale campaign comes as Mr Rigas prepares for the August 1 relaunch of The Pink Flamingo Spiegelclub at Broadbeach, which he co-owns with Sue Porrett.

The 1920s-style cabaret club was forced to close its doors in March due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

It was a major blow for the venue, which had only launched last August following a $3 million renovation.

“We spent a hell of a lot of money getting it open and ready,” Mr Rigas said.

“We did the hard first six months of getting it right and finally got it off the ground with lots of bookings between December and March, then we were shut down.

“Here we are now a year later, preparing to launch again.”

Mr Rigas and Ms Huxham spent nine months renovating the house and gardens.

Mr Rigas said the sale of their house met their need to downsize and give the Gold Coast club a cash boost before taking the concept to Sydney and Melbourne.

“One of the reasons for selling (the house) is to inject some money into that and get it up to the stage of reopening,” he said.

“There’s a bigger picture to The Pink Flamingo and that’s opening up others and hopefully taking the show, Suavé ,around the world.”

The post House sale set to boost The Pink Flamingo relaunch appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Newcomers are keen to take a residence on the southern Gold Coast.

Real estate agents battling to do business either side of the Queensland-NSW border report they have been inundated with inquiries for homes on the southern Gold Coast.

Schmith Estate Agents, with an office just six metres from the border in Marine Parade, Coolangatta, said the demand for sales and rental properties has ramped up over the past four weeks.

“Coolangatta is just booming. People are coming from everywhere,” said principal Justin Schmith.

“A lot of people I’m dealing with have moved up from Sydney and Melbourne prior to the shutdowns and from what we’re hearing more people are planning their escape to Queensland. I’ve done eight sales in two weeks.”

The Coolangatta beachside strip, back when crowded pubs were the done thing. Picture: DJ Stringer / REA

There had been a sudden spike in demand for rentals too, according to David Stringer, director and principal of DJ Stringer Property Services at Coolangatta.

“Rental inquiry has been really strong. The team can’t get enough stock,” Mr Stringer said.

“Last month we had a record month for rentals in 19 years. We leased over 40 properties for the month, which is well above our average and the demand is still very strong.”

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An influx of new residents are keen on Coolagatta. Picture: DJ Stringer / REA

The influx comes as agents battle the logistics of doing business on both sides of the border.

“We are licensed in both states so I’ve got staff working either side of the border every day and it’s just a nightmare,” said Mr Schmith.

He said locals were frustrated “trying to live here and do business here’’.

Getting to open homes on time has been tricky. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Steve Holland

Mr Stringer had faced similar challenges trying to operate between Currumbin and northern NSW.

“Staff getting to the office has been a big problem and we’re having to reshuffle our open homes either side of the border because we just don’t know how long it’s going to take to get across,” he said.

“From a buyer’s perspective, I think they’re working around it as best they can and allow themselves plenty of time.

“Time will tell (this) weekend with open homes.”

The post High demand for real estate just over the Qld border appeared first on realestate.com.au.

IT looks like a property from hit movie Gone with the Wind but this sprawling estate is actually on the hilltops of Tallai on the Gold Coast.

Annarbor, at 529 The Panorama, is on the market for the first time since it was built and is attracting plenty of interest.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

Vendor Adam Felton’s parents – the late Neil and Ann Felton – paid a “couple of hundred thousand dollars” for the block in 1985 when The Panorama was just a dirt track.

The pair, after extensively travelling the world with Ann’s work as a top fashion model, wanted to retire on the Gold Coast and were immediately sold on the spectacular city view from Tallai.

“My dad designed the house. He’s not an architect but he used technical drawing he learnt from the army,” Adam Felton said.

“He basically took inspiration from New England, Europe and the Mediterranean.

“They took what they loved from each place and tried to capture that in the house.”

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

The estate, name Annarbor, is a combination of both Ann Felton’s name and an arbor.

“Arbor is from the trees – they have planted a large number of trees on the property and of course Ann, it’s a tribute to my mum,” Mr Felton said.

The grand brick manor is on a sprawling 6.15ha property with 180 degree views across the Coast.

A floor to ceiling fireplace, banquet-sized dining room, tennis court and pool with a diving board are among its features while pillars, bay windows and a sweeping staircase add to the classic elegance of the five-bedroom house.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

Mr Felton, who was 15 when his family moved in, had many fond memories.

“I remember being with my brothers in the pool, running the mountains and falling asleep and waking up to the view,” he said.

“The view is like when you fly into the airport on a plane and you’ve got the city underneath you.”

Mr Felton has been living in the house with his family – wife Annika and children Linnea, 14, and Freya, 12 – since he returned from Sweden in January to care for his dad.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

529 The Panorama, Tallai.

He said the sale would be bittersweet for the family.

“It’s a mixture of emotions,” he said. “I know how much my parents put into this place and we have lots of memories here.”

Amir Prestige agent Colleen Brunt, who is marketing the property with colleague Nick Zhang through an expressions of interest campaign, said it was a “one-of-a-kind showplace”.

“We are getting really good interest from prospective Brisbane, Gold Coast, interstate and international buyers,” Ms Brunt said.

The post Grand Gold Coast estate attracting international interest appeared first on realestate.com.au.