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Locked down interstate business owners are looking for opportunities to relocate to Queensland in a bid to survive the COVID pandemic period.

A prime commercial site fronting the Gold Coast Highway at Mermaid Beach, with tenants including an iconic Sizzler restaurant and KFC, has attracted interest from Melbourne, Sydney and South Australia.

A prime mixed-use site fronting the Gold Coast Highway in Mermaid Beach is up for sale.

“Major franchises are looking at Queensland because we are open for business,” said Gold Coast agent Ricky Mahuika.

“Because we are virtually COVID-free and the infection rate is so low compared to Sydney and Melbourne, a lot of interstate businesses are targeting Queensland.”

The iconic Sizzler restaurant is a family favourite at Mermaid Beach.

Calls have been coming in hot on 2506 Gold Coast Highway which Mr Mahuika is marketing as the ‘best mixed-use redevelopment site on the Gold Coast’.

Sizzler and KFC are long-term tenants on the 6525 sqm site which also hosts a medical centre, pharmacy, Optus tower and pool hall.

The sales campaign comes after the Sizzler restaurant space and two neighbouring tenancies were advertised for lease last month.

Mr Mahuika confirmed that negotiations were underway on the leasing opportunities, but could not divulge any specific details.

A medical centre and pharmacy are among the tenants on the site.

A spokesman for Brisbane-based Collins Foods, who operates a string of Sizzler and KFC stores, said no decision had been made to change their leasing arrangements at their Gold Coast restaurants.

“They maintain a current lease with the landowner and confirm that Sizzler and KFC Mermaid Beach restaurants remain open for business as usual,” the response read.

Mr Mahuika said the site presented a combination of opportunities to hold and redevelop, with potential for a transit-related development to work in with the light rail.

“It’s a huge development site that’s currently under-utilised,” he said.

“It has three street frontages and there will be a light rail station directly in front of the site.”

Expressions of interest are open until October 9.

The post Locked down franchises eye off iconic Sizzler site appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Maxwell Collins auctioneer Shaun Carroll, left, alongside father Eugene Collins will auction a Newcomb property on Saturday. Picture: Stephen Harman

The first in-person real estate auctions will occur in Geelong this weekend as regional Victoria moves to the third step of the road map out of the coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday.

Premier Dan Andrews announced real estate auctions would be allowed to be held outdoors for up to 10 people in regional Victoria.

Open homes remain private by appointment under the road map.

Melbourne residents cannot travel to regional Victoria to attend an auction.

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2-4 Portarlington Rd, Newcomb, will be auctioned on Saturday at 10.30am.

Maxwell Collins, Geelong agent Eugene Carroll welcomed the return to in-person auctions.

“Beautiful. That’s good news,” he said.

Mr Carroll said the first auction would be at 2-4 Portarlington Rd, Newcomb, on Saturday.

The 1474sq m property is a development opportunity close to central Geelong that has attracted good interest during the campaign.

“We’ll send out invitations,” Mr Carroll said.

“We’ll have registered bidders, hold it on the property where they can safely bid while maintaining social distancing.”

But some agents would continue with online auctions as planned with some buyers unable to attend in-person.

Agents, like McGrath, Geelong’s David Cortous, have continued to auction properties using apps like AuctionNow. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

Auction numbers have nosedived in 2020 as COVID-19 restrictions placed limits on the number of people able to physically attend an auction before they were banned altogether.

Some have moved online during the lockdowns, with agents using apps or connecting with potential buyers over Google Meet or Zoom.

Other agents have turned to private treaty sales with good results.

Mr Carroll said face-to-face auctions would provide for a better outcome.

“We’ve held two Zoom auctions, they went really well,” he said.

“They went above the reserve and sold, so they were two successful auctions, well-run campaigns and everyone had a fair and reasonable opportunity to put their hands up.

“You have a little bit more emotion when you’re at the property.

“And they can quite clearly see who they’re bidding against and there are no glitches in regards to technology.”

REIV President Leah Calnan.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Leah Calnan said the resumption of on-site auctions and general opening up of regional Victoria was “an enormous step forward for the regional property market”.

She said the renewed confidence the easing of COVID-19 restrictions would bring was “a really important part”, as strong local economies were key to strong real estate markets.

“Many areas of regional Victoria haven’t had any cases over the last few months. So not only to allow the real estate industry to start trading more, but allowing more industries to do so, is a great step forward. It breeds confidence,” she said.

Ms Calnan noted the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo markets would benefit most from the return of on-site auctions, for which agents and buyers must wear masks and follow strict social distancing, hygiene and record-keeping requirements.

An upbeat Victorian Premier Dan Andrews announcing restrictions to be eased in Regional Victoria as the state appears to have passed the peak of its second wave of COVID-19. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

The auctioneer, though, would be allowed to be mask-free while calling for bids, she said.

She added discussions were continuing with the state government to “see how we can allow buyers from stage four areas into regional Victoria to safely inspect properties”.

“It’s not on the immediate list, but it will form part of returning the metro market back to a small level of normality,” she said.

On-site auctions are due to return to Melbourne from October 26, alongside physical one-on-one inspections, assuming Victoria records fewer than five daily COVID-19 cases over the two weeks prior.

But the REIV is lobbying the government to bring forward private inspections to the second step on the road map to reopening, due to kick in from September 28.

With Samantha Landy

The post Coronavirus real estate: Outdoor auctions return in regional Victoria appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Despite COVID-19 lockdowns and border closures putting a damper on activity in many Australian cities, it appears top-shelf, inner city living is still a major drawcard for house hunters, particularly in Melbourne. 

A city known for its nightlife, foodie culture and cosmopolitain atmosphere, metropolitan Melbourne has never been less vibrant than during its current stage four lockdown – but while the city endures its most challenging time with a health report card that is poor, its spring property report card is more positive.

• Use the interactive below to see how well your suburb has performed over the past 12 months

The Victorian capital joins Adelaide in dominating a list of the 10 most in-demand postcodes for house hunters in the 12 months to August 2020, according to data from realestate.com.au. The results are based on ‘high intent’ buyer activity on the site, including the number of visits to a listing, looking at photos on a listing multiple times, saving and sharing the property, and enquiring with the agent.

The strong results for Melbourne highlight how well the city’s property market was recovering pre-pandemic, according to realestate.com.au’s executive manager of economic research, Cameron Kusher.

“It really highlights that, before COVID at least, there was really strong demand in those inner city areas of Melbourne,” Mr Kusher said.

Four inner city Melbourne suburbs featured in the top ten, including the blue-chip enclaves of South Yarra and Toorak taking out first and third places respectively, while Hawthorn and Northcote claimed sixth and ninth spots.

“Although COVID is impacting the market and may change trends longer term, at the moment the lure of the inner city market remains strong,” said Mr Kusher.

The blue-chip enclave of South Yarra in Melbourne is the most in-demand suburb across Australia. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

Jack Edgar, sales assistant at RT Edgar, Toorak, described South Yarra as a “perfect little pocket” on Melbourne’s CBD fringe.

“You’ve got Fawkner Park and the Botanical Gardens on either end, some amazing properties and really good food and wine all down Toorak Road and Chapel Street,” Mr Edgar said.

“There’s a broad range [of properties]…the ’60s flats scattered all around that do really well…the pocket around the Prahran Market with all the little single fronted Victorian houses…I think that’s what makes it such an interesting suburb.”

Meanwhile, the outer Melbourne suburbs of Belgrave, Park Orchards and Warrandyte also ranked in the top ten national list. The Adelaide suburbs of Stirling, Aldgate and Belair were the only other postcodes to feature in the national top 10 for houses.

In terms of the most in-demand suburbs nationally for units, nine Canberra suburbs dominated the top 10, including Phillip, Belconnen and Gungahlin taking out the first three spots, which is “not at all surprising,” according to Mr Kusher. 

“There’s a very low unemployment rate in the ACT and it does tend to be a bit more of a transient population. So, whether [the high level of demand] is actually investors looking to buy a property in the ACT or maybe someone that’s going to live there for five or 10 years,” he said.

When looking at the most in-demand suburbs for houses state-by-state, it’s clear that securing an inner city home in a premium market is also a top priority for home buyers. However, buyers in some cities showed a preference for coastal areas within commuting distance to the city, such as Wamberal on the New South Wales Central Coast, which was the most in-demand suburb for greater Sydney. 

Sydney home buyers are heading for the Central Coast for the best of both worlds.  Picture: Getty

“Many home buyers looking for a beachside property have been priced out of coastal areas in Sydney itself, but in places like Wamberal on the Central Coast you can get more bang for your buck and still be able to commute to Sydney for work,” Mr Kusher said.

The top three most in-demand suburbs for Sydney were in coastal areas, with Newport and North Narrabeen claiming second and third places respectively.

Sydney buyer’s agent Rich Harvey said suburbs in Sydney’s Northern Beaches offer “the best of both worlds”.

“North Narrabeen used to be considered a long way for city commuters…but now with COVID and working from home, those areas are considered highly attractive lifestyle suburbs,” Mr Harvey said.

“The high amenity, the fantastic lifestyle…North Narrabeen has one of the best surf breaks in Sydney.”

In the other states and territories, South Yarra took out top spot for the most in-demand suburb for houses in Melbourne, Coorparoo notched first place for Brisbane, Yarralumla was Canberra’s most in-demand suburb, Sandy Bay ranked at number one for Hobart and Leanyer took out first place in Darwin. 

The most popular suburbs for units at a state level were the inner city suburbs of  Kirribilli (Sydney), Chadstone (Melbourne), Paddington (Brisbane), North Perth (Perth), Norwood (Adelaide), Lawson (Canberra), Sandy Bay (Hobart) and Stuart Park (Darwin).

What suburbs experienced the biggest growth in demand?

In a seperate analysis looking at the suburbs with the biggest year-on-year growth in demand for houses nationally, the ACT suburbs of Torrens, Yarralumla and Macquarie took out first, second and fourth places respectively, while Dharruk and Macmasters Beach in greater Sydney came in at numbers three and five.

Mr Kusher said the results speak to how well the ACT’s housing market has held up over the past year.

“It tends to be a market that doesn’t really boom and doesn’t really bust, it doesn’t get those cycles like you see in most other capital cities,” he said, adding that steady employment linked to the public service is also a major supporting factor.

Geraldine Collison of Luton Properties, Manuka, said Canberra’s property market has been in “a protected bubble” during the health crisis.

“Not many jobs are challenged [in the ACT], most people have a steady income unlike Sydney and Melbourne where people are really struggling if they’re in hospitality or media or the arts…I don’t know anybody in Canberra who has actually lost their job,” Ms Collison said.

Canberra suburbs dominated the top 10 list of the most in-demand suburbs for unit buyers. Picture: Getty

She added that an imbalance of supply and demand has also played a big part in keeping Canberra’s property market buoyant.

“Because of COVID, nobody is thinking, ‘gee it’s a great time to pick up the phone and ring Geraldine to sell my house’…we have less stock on the market and an enormous amount of buyers,” she said.

Suburbs in Canberra’s inner south, like Yarralumla, which experienced a whopping +201% jump in demand, boast median house prices around the $1.5 million mark. This is in stark contrast to a median of $517,300 in Dharruk, in Sydney’s west, which experienced the third biggest year-on-year growth in demand nationally in the past 12 months.

Mr Kusher said the largest increases in demand in the national list are typically outer, more affordable suburbs.  

“This speaks to a few different things, firstly the fact that lower mortgage rates are helping people enter into the market at the lower end. Secondly it points to government stimulus measures [such as HomeBuilder] leading to an increase in demand in those areas that meet the eligibility price requirements,” he said. 

State-by-state, the suburbs that experienced the biggest jumps in demand for houses were Dharruk (Sydney), Clyde (Melbourne), Forestdale (Brisbane), Trigg (Perth), Glynde (Adelaide), Torrens (Canberra), New Town (Hobart) and Muirhead (Darwin).

The ACT suburbs of Moncrieff and Coombs came in at numbers one and two respectively on the national list of top ten suburbs with the greatest growth in demand for units.

The top suburbs for growth in demand for units at a state level were Kurraba Point (Sydney), Caroline Springs (Melbourne), Cannon Hill (Brisbane), Applecross (Perth), Fullarton (Adelaide), Moncrieff (Canberra), Kingston (Hobart) and Coconut Grove (Darwin).

Where did properties sell the quickest?

When it comes to the suburbs where properties spent the least time on the market in the past year, the results are different again.

Houses in Point Clare, on the New South Wales Central Coast, sat for a median of 15 days on the market before being snapped up by hungry buyers. Mr Harvey said that result is unsurprising given the beachside suburb’s affordability and proximity to Sydney, as well as being close to the hub of Gosford.

The remaining four postcodes to make the top five national list for houses were the outer city suburbs of Parkside in Adelaide, Niagara Park in Sydney, Viewbank in Melbourne and Lower Mitchum in Adelaide. Houses in these suburbs all sat on the market for a median of 17 days.

Units in the waterside suburb of Sandy Bay in Hobart sold faster than anywhere else in the country in the past 12 months, spending a median of 17 days on the market. Sandy Bay also claimed third spot in Hobart’s top five suburbs where houses sold the quickest with a median of 26 days on the market.

Jane Chen, property consultant at Petrusma Property, Sandy Bay, said the “pretty” suburb is popular amongst young people and first-home buyers because it’s close a major university, restaurants and night life. She said while houses are quite expensive in the area (median $955,000), units are more affordable for young people with a median price of $550,000. 

Hobart’s Sandy Bay is popular amongst first-home buyers and investors alike. Picture: Getty

“Many buyers are investors from interstate because the units [in Sandy Bay] are rented out at a high price, they get a good return,” Ms Chen added.

The remaining four postcodes that saw units sell quicker than anywhere else in the country were Point Frederick in Sydney (17 days), Dundas in Sydney (20 days), Sunbury in Melbourne (21 days) and Bellerive in Hobart (22 days).

Where will buyers be looking in the next year?

Mr Kusher said the spring property report cards for Australia’s capital cities paint a clear picture of where markets were at leading up to the pandemic, but said it could change in the coming year.

“You might see a bit more of a push to outer, larger areas,” he said. “[In Melbourne], we’re seeing demand [over the past three months] that shows the Mornington Peninsula is holding up much better in Victoria. In Sydney, we’re finding that it’s the outer areas like the Central Coast and the outer Western Blue Mountains that are holding up as well.

“Certainly in Sydney and Melbourne, I think there will be a change when we look at it again in six or 12 months time.”

The post Spring property report cards deliver surprising results for Australian cities appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The tightly held and prestigious inner south of Melbourne can be hard to buy into. But new apartments buildings are making the most of the location and offering buyers a way in.

Properties with proximity to the CBD or Port Phillip are some of Melbourne’s most sought-after locations. But there’s one area in particular which has the rare combination of the two.

The inner south, with thriving suburbs such as South Melbourne, Albert Park and Port Melbourne, has enduring appeal for locals looking for a bayside lifestyle with an easy commute to the CBD.

“You’re very central to everything,” says Nerida Conisbee, chief economist at realestate.com.au. “You can access the water and the city and lots of fun parts of Melbourne.”

But now with the extension of the CBD zoning area south below the Yarra and the Fishermans Bend renewal project, opportunities to buy in this highly prized region are fast opening up.

The $850 million R.Iconic project is located on an island site in the city’s new CBD South precinct. Picture: R.Corporation

Conisbee says the location of the new residential area will be a beacon for people looking for quick commutes and easy access to lifestyle options.

“It’s very close to a lot of amenities,” says Conisbee. “You can be close and enjoy them at a more affordable price.”

Best of both worlds

The CBD South area will be particularly appealing to people looking for both city and bayside lifestyles, says Conisbee.

At the moment, the shops, cafes, restaurants and bars of Clarendon Street in South Melbourne, Bay Street in Port Melbourne and Bridport Street in Albert Park are all in easy reach.

“Nearby is the South Melbourne Market, Crown if you like entertainment and the DFO South Wharf for shopping — there’s no shortage of things to do around the area,” she says.

South Melbourne Market is a popular shopping destination. Picture: Supplied

But there’s much more to come. Conisbee points out that adjacent Fishermans Bend, one of Australia’s largest urban renewal projects, is set to boom with amenities.

In coming years, new office, shopping and education facilities will all appear — including a campus for the University of Melbourne Engineering and Architecture schools.

Opportunities opening up

A new apartment development in Melbourne’s inner south is giving buyers a unique chance to break into this popular yet tightly held area.

R.Iconic comprises 456 apartments across the first stage of its dual luxury towers. Picture: R.Corporation

R.Iconic will feature two towers and four street frontages with uninterrupted views of the bay. Stage one has been released for sale, with a variety of stylish one and two bedroom apartments through to a luxurious penthouse on offer.

R.Corporation is an experienced property developer that has developed 30 buildings with a 100% completion rate.

Colliers managing director of residential, Tim Storey, says the R.Iconic project follows well known residences delivered by the company, such as Clara in South Yarra, Tribeca in East Melbourne and Metropol in St Kilda.

“They have a track record of delivering projects that are of a really good quality and standard, and enrich the lives of the residents and the surrounding communities,” Storey says.

Spoilt for choice

While residents will have plenty of amenities options to explore in the local area, R.Iconic will also offer a complete lifestyle experience onsite.

“Importantly, it creates a neighbourhood and redefines the residential experience through what is arguably some of the best amenity and facilities we’ve seen,” he says. This includes a clear focus on delivering excellent entertainment, technology, wellbeing and fitness amenities.

Construction at R.Iconic has commenced with a planned 2022 completion date. Picture: R.Corporation

For fitness enthusiasts, it offers a rooftop running track, outdoor and indoor gyms, sports court, pool, and a virtual golf range. To wind down, it has a wellness pavilion with yoga studio, steam room and sauna — and even a floatation spa and zen garden.

Entertainers can embrace the stylish dining pavilions, BBQs, cinema, karaoke room, wine vault and music listening lounge.

“There’s a big focus on social connection within the building as well, and creating a community,” says Storey.

Conisbee says that this all-encompassing approach is what busy professionals of today want in a home.

“With people working from home more, they’re more flexible with their time, and amenities become far more important — it’s that ability to go to your gym at any time, without having to travel,” she says.

The post New apartment developments transforming Melbourne’s CBD South precinct appeared first on realestate.com.au.

AnglicareSA has snapped up a block of 16 apartments in Kurralta Park. Pic: Ray White.

More than a dozen apartments in Kurralta Park will be turned into community and emergency housing after selling in a multimillion-dollar package deal.

AnglicareSA snapped up the block of 16 one-bedroom renovated units on the corner of Warwick Avenue and Mortimer Street, known as Midway Apartments.

Ray White Glenelg Plympton principal Adam Keane, who sold the properties with Nathan Viola, wouldn’t reveal the sale price but said it was a multimillion-dollar deal.

The block includes two buildings – one at 2A Warwick Avenue and the other at 48 Mortimer Street – each of which has eight units.

Mr Keane said it was rare for an entire unit block to hit the market so it attracted a lot of interest, from both interstate and overseas.

AnglicareSA is going to use the apartments for social and affordable housing. Pic: Ray White.

“There was so much interest throughout the campaign, simply because an asset like this only comes up once in a blue moon,” he said.

“AnglicareSA visited the asset a number of times and they really appreciated the standard of the renovations and how well-placed the apartments were to every essential amenity.”

AnglicareSA housing and homelessness services general manager Michelle Gegenhuber said they were pleased to purchase the well cared for apartments, which would increase the availability of much-needed social and affordable housing in the state.

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“As a long-term provider of community housing in SA, we are always keen to look for

properties that provide the opportunity for affordable rent and ease of access to shopping,

transport and other amenities,” she said.

“The Kurralta Park apartments do just that, providing attractive, affordable rental housing for

couples as well as for those who prefer to live on their own.

“While we are doing some minor repairs, the apartments really are a credit to the former owner, and we plan to have them available for tenants before the end of the year.”

AnglicareSA manages more than 2100 social housing properties across Adelaide.

Ms Gegenhuber said AnglicareSA had a 10-year development plan to increase social and affordable housing, which was at crisis levels across the state.

“This purchase is an integral part of that plan,” she said.

Seller Kym Matheson ran a successful short-term accommodation business from the blocks for years but decided to sell them so he could retire.

After collecting all 16 apartments over 25 years, he was glad to know they would be used to help those who needed them most.

“I started with one apartment back in 1995 after a third was left to me by my mother,” he said.

“After buying out my two brothers, I decided short-term holiday rentals were the way to go.

“I ensured after I purchased each one that they were fully-renovated and offered everything you would need to stay for a short time, including electricity, gas and Wi-Fi.”

The post Kurralta Park apartments snapped up for community housing in multimillion-dollar deal appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Bob Miller and Gay Black have fetched the Newtown property record. Picture: Chris Pavlich/The Australian.

A landmark mansion tucked behind an old warehouse facade has just shattered the Newtown suburb record by $750,000.

The former bakery at 198-200 Australia St with an exquisite Roman redesign sold for $5.8 million to a mystery Bellevue Hill family.

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The sale price eclipses the previous Newtown record of $5.05 million — set at the end of last year when WiseTech Global exec Brett Shearer purchased a converted Masonic hall.

No. 198-200 Australia St is one of two houses in Newtown to sell for more than $5m.

CoreLogic confirms the two properties are the only residential properties to have ever broken the $4m price barrier in Newtown.

The Australia St warehouse had been owned for 26 years by former 2UE and Toyota executive Bob Miller and his wife Gay.

It was on the market for a total of 497 days with The Agency’s Brad Gillespie and sold within 17 days of the guide being adjusted down to $5.8m.

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The pool is one of the standout features and something of a rarity in the neighbourhood.

The new owners plan to renovate the entire property.

Mr Gillespie said it was a phenomenal result after he and the vendors knew it would be a long process to finalise a record deal for Newtown.

While he was unable to confirm who the Bellevue Hill family were, Mr Gillespie said they would be looking to spend considerable money on renovating the building after coming out of no where to buy it.

“We did not know of them until only a few weeks ago,” he said.

The house at 198-200 Australia St is located on the corner of Camperdown Memorial Park and has seven bedrooms and four parking spaces.

The house has seven bedrooms and plenty of entertaining areas.

The kitchen has lots of benchspace.

Regarded as one of the largest homes in Newtown, the property is on a 530sqm block and has nearly 900sqm of internal and external space across two levels.

It was expanded in 1921 and was used to manufacture clothing until the late 1980s, when it was converted into its current format. It is a mix of high ceilings, steel beams and modern interiors, with an open-plan layout connecting most rooms.

Mr Miller and Ms Black purchased the house in 1994 for $650,000 — a remarkably high figure at the time for Newtown.

Roman inspired touches can be found throughout.

The previous Newtown record was held by this Masonic hall that sold for $5.05m last year.

The house has played host to a number of famous guests over the years, with radio presenter John Laws just one example.

The most unique feature of the property is the courtyard and pool, with the Roman design allowing for the highest level of privacy.

It is the second big ticket factory to sell in the inner west after comedian Merrick Watts sold his converted Lilyfield warehouse to renovator Cherie Barber for around $6 million.

Additional reporting Owen Roberts

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The post Landmark Newtown warehouse of Bob Miller and Gay Black breaks suburb record by $750,000 appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Property prices in Melbourne and Sydney have seen the largest falls. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Australia’s capital city property prices have slumped, as coronavirus lockdown measures stifle buying activity.

Property price data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show residential housing prices for the June quarter went backwards 1.8 per cent compared to the prior quarter, with Melbourne and Sydney housing markets seeing the largest falls.

The economic slowdown sparked by the coronavirus pandemic has caused Australia’s capital city property markets to slump. Picture: Tim Pascoe

Residential property prices in Sydney dropped 2.2 per cent over the quarter, largely fuelled by house prices dropping 2.6 per cent. Attached dwellings, such as apartments and townhouses, only fell 1.4 per cent.

The Melbourne property market experienced slightly larger drops for the quarter. Residential property prices fell 2.3 per cent, driven by a 2.8 per cent decline in house prices and a 1 per cent fall in attached dwellings.

Brisbane residential prices fell 0.9 per cent over the June quarter.

ABS head of price statistics Andrew Tomadinau said sales across the eight capital cities fell off a cliff during the June quarter, as COVID-19 restrictions inhibited buying activity.

“The number of residential property transactions fell substantially in the eight capital cities during the June quarter 2020, due to the effects of COVID-19 on the property market”, he said.

“All capital cities apart from Canberra recorded falls in property prices in the June quarter 2020.”

Perth property prices dropped 0.7 per cent. Picture: Tourism Western Australia

The value of Australia’s residential dwellings fell by $98.2 billion over the quarter to a total value of $7138.2 billion.

The average price for house after the slump is $678,500.

Brisbane’s residential market fell 0.9 per cent over the quarter and Adelaide housing prices dropped 0.8 per cent.

Perth fell 0.7 per cent over the period, while Hobart fell 0.4 per cent and Darwin prices dropped by 1.4 per cent.

Canberra was the only market to experience an increase with local residential prices increasing 0.8 per cent.

The post Latest ABS figures has revealed the initial property slump sparked by COVID-19 appeared first on realestate.com.au.

SA Home mag Cover for Readers Choice

There are eight family-friendly display homes in the running to win the HIA Sunday Mail Readers’ Choice Award and Home & Life magazine is giving you the chance to choose your favourite. Cast your vote by 11pm on Thursday, September 23 to go in the draw to win a $500 Holiday of Australia voucher.

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Kalarney display home.

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Kalarney display home.

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Kalarney display home.

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Kalarney display home.

METRICON HOMES’ KALARNEY 29

Category entered: Display Home > $250,001 to $400,000

About the home: 288.17sqm total size | 234.90sqm living space | 29.15m width | 12.59m depth | 4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 3 living areas | double garage | suited to a corner block, hillside, wide blocks

Judges’ comments: This large family home delivers on design and quality. The floorplan offers plenty of versatility to accommodate all family dynamics. The stunning Whitehaven facade has been carefully considered for it’s countryside location.

On display at Newenham estate, Mt Barker, open Sat | Sun | Mon | Wed, 12pm -5pm, metricon.com.au

Readers’ Choice: Aspire Homes South Hampton display home.

Readers’ Choice: Aspire Homes South Hampton display home.

Readers’ Choice: Aspire Homes South Hampton display home.

Readers’ Choice: Aspire Homes South Hampton display home.

ASPIRE HOMES’ SOUTH HAMPTON

Category entered: Display Home > $250,001 to $400,000

About the home: 344.70sqm total size | 241.7sqm living space | 10.34m width | 21.6m depth | 4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 2 living areas | double garage | alfresco | custom designed country home

Judges’ comments: A well-built quality home with a spacious open plan design. The use of recycled brick and cladding achieves a unique, stylish exterior. The same materials have also been introduced internally to create a seamless transition from inside to outside. The bathrooms have been well designed to offer a resort-style feel.

On display at Newenham estate, Mt Barker, open Sat | Sun 1pm-5pm; Mon | Wed 1pm -5pm, aspirehomes.com.au

Readers’ Choice: Rossdale Homes Broadway display home.

Readers’ Choice: Rossdale Homes Broadway display home.

Readers’ Choice: Rossdale Homes Broadway display home.

Readers’ Choice: Rossdale Homes Broadway display home.

ROSSDALE HOMES’ THE BROADWAY

Category entered: Display Home > $400,001 to $650,000

About the home: 310sqm total size 244sqm living areas | 9m width | 30.6m depth | 3-4 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | 2 living rooms | double garage | 2.7m ceilings | alfresco | suited in to infill blocks, new estates

Judges’ comments: The Broadway is a two-storey design which gives teenagers and parents a chance to enjoy their own space without blowing the budget. This home is fresh and light and has an open plan meals, kitchen, family room that flows into the alfresco, which can be used all year round.

On display at Nilpena Ave, Morphettville, open Sat | Sun 1pm-5pm; Mon | Wed 1.30pm -5pm, rossdalehomes.com.au

Readers’ Choice: Sterling Homes Tribeca display home.

Readers’ Choice: Sterling Homes Tribeca display home.

Readers’ Choice: Sterling Homes Tribeca display home.

Readers’ Choice: Sterling Homes Tribeca display home.

STERLING HOMES’ TRIBECA

Category entered: Display Home > $250,001 to $400,000

About the home: 319.06sqm total size | 262sqm living space (upper and lower levels) | 11.57m width | 19.19m depth | 4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms plus powder room | 3 living areas | double garage | alfresco, suited to infill blocks and new estates

Judges’ comments: The Tribeca is everything you would want out of a double storey home. With three separate living areas, four bedrooms and two bathrooms, this home has everything a family will need in a home.

On display at Nilpena Avenue, Morphettville,
open Sat | Sun | Mon | Wed, 1pm-5pm, sterlinghomes.com.au

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Moritz 38 display home.

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Moritz 38 display home.

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Moritz 38 display home.

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Moritz 38 display home.

METRICON HOMES’ MORITZ 38

Category entered: Display Home > $400,001 to $650,000

About the home: 349.75sqm total size 288.13sqm living space | 9.6m width 24.59m depth | 4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms plus powder room | 3 living areas | double garage | alfresco

Judges’ comments: The judges were impressed on the construction of this home and it’s striking facade. With four bedrooms upstairs, a bathroom and a separate living area, this home is ideal for families and has ample living space with both the lower and upper levels able to be used simultaneously. This two-storey home is the definition of modern living with an abundance of form and function.

On display at Troubridge Drive, West Lakes, open Sat | Sun | Mon | Wed, 12pm-5pm, metricon.com.au

Readers’ Choice: Simonds Homes’ Mayfair 32 display home.

Readers’ Choice: Simonds Homes’ Mayfair 32 display home.

Readers’ Choice: Simonds Homes’ Mayfair 32 display home.

Readers’ Choice: Simonds Homes’ Mayfair 32 display home.

SIMONDS HOMES’ MAYFAIR 32

Category entered: Display Home > $400,001 to $650,000

About this home: 305.19sqm total size | 8.75m width | 243.85m depth 4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms plus powder room | 3 living areas | double garage | alfresco, suited to infill blocks and new estates

Judges’ comments: The Mayfair 32 is on trend family home with flexibility in creating spaces to suit a growing family.

On display at Nilpena Ave, Morphettville, open Sat | Sun, 11am-5pm | Mon-Fri, 12pm-5pm, simonds.com.au

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Delta 25S display home.

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Delta 25S display home.

Readers’ Choice: Metricon’s Delta 25S display home.

SA Home mag: Readers Choice finalists 2020: metricon delta

METRICON HOMES’ DELTA 25S

Category entered: Display Home > $250,001 to $400,000

About the home: 250.01sqm total size | 192.83sqm living space | 12.8m width | 23.15m depth | 4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 2 living areas plus study nook | double garage | alfresco

Judges’ comments: This home is well planned out with option for lots of different environments. You could always find your own space. The combination of textures and materials including bricks, render, tiles and timber create a standout street presence. The Delta 25S is a home perfectly suited to growing families with plentiful storage and room sizing is larger than many similar homes and genuine value for money.

On display at Miravale estate, Angle Vale, open Sat | Sun | Mon | Wed, 12pm-5pm, metricon.com.au

KOOKABURRA HOMES’ THE BRIDGEHAMPTON

Category entered: Display Home > $400,001 to $650,000

About the home: 374.13sqm total size 262.04sqm living space | 31.05m width | 14.80m depth | 4 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms | 3 living areas | double garage | alfresco | bootroom | suited to wide lifestyle and country blocks

Judges’ comments: This home provides many areas that open to each other and was designed to provide a beautiful classic-Hamptons style home and multiple living spaces.

On display at Lilac Parade, Clover Park estate, Mt Barker, open Sat | Sun | Mon | Wed, 12pm-5pm, kookaburrahomes.com.au

Judging criteria

The finalists for 2020 have been chosen by judges for the HIA, based on entries that offer the best in a display home. Every display home entered into an HIA award category is automatically entered into the Readers’ Choice category as well.

When scoring entries, judges used this family-friendly criteria:

• Does the house emphasise safety and utility for families with young children and encourage family interaction, yet offer privacy when required?

• Is it affordable and genuine value for money?

• Does it adapt to the needs of families as they grow and allow children to move from infancy to their education years and into early adulthood.

• Can they accommodate an extended family such as a grandparent?

WHICH HOME WILL GET YOUR VOTE?

We’re looking for South Australia’s most family friendly display home design. Vote for the display home you think best meets the criteria below.

Judging criteria

The finalists for 2020 have been chosen by judges for the HIA, based on entries that offer the best in a display home. Every display home entered into an HIA award category is automatically entered into the Readers’ Choice category as well.

When scoring entries, judges used this family-friendly criteria:

• Does the house emphasise safety and utility for families with young children and encourage family interaction, yet offer privacy when required?

• Is it affordable and genuine value for money?

• Does it adapt to the needs of families as they grow and allow children to move from infancy to their education years and into early adulthood.

• Can they accommodate an extended family such as a grandparent?

To vote, go to advertiser.com.au/competitions.

Voting opens today and closes at 11pm on Thursday, September 23.

The Sunday Mail Readers’ Choice award winner will be announced at the 2020 HIA-CSR South Australian Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards, to be held in Adelaide on Saturday, November 7.

Full terms and conditions at advertiser.com.au/competitions

@smhomemag

The post Pick the best family home design and you could win $500 appeared first on realestate.com.au.

3/6 Wentworth Street, Point Piper, has a price guide of $6.5m-$7m for an October 10 auction.

Former QBE chief executive Pat Regan — who parted ways with the insurer a week ago after a complaint by a female employee — has listed his Point Piper harbourside apartment for sale.

The company advised the ASX last Wednesday that Regan had finished up the day before and received a payment of $310,000, in lieu of a reduced notice period, plus his statutory leave entitlements.

He also forfeited share rights worth more than $10 million with the shock exit following last month’s complaint and the board finding he had breached the insurer’s code of conduct.

Regan’s grand three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment with two-car garage is in the exclusive Kilmory Estate at 3/6 Wentworth Street has a $6.5m-$7m price guide with Sotheby’s International managing director Michael Pallier.

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Former QBE boss Pat Regan at the insurer’s Sydney headquarters in 2018. Picture: Britta Campion

Beautiful harbour views.

Expansive indoor and outdoor entertainment areas.

It’s set to go to auction on October 10.

Property records show Regan and his partner, Georgina Koch, purchased the apartment for $5.7m in 2014.

It’s realestate.com.au ad describes it as “an extravagant private haven in Point Piper, set on the highest point of Australia’s most prestigious peninsular”.

It’s one of just seven bespoke apartments within the circa 1913 former mansion.

Along with being pet friendly, the apartment is described as offering both opulence and grandeur with a contemporary edge.

Relax and enjoy the view.

Lavish bathrooms.

There are never-to-be-built out views across Sydney Harbour, Double Bay and the city skyline from the top floor of the house-size apartment.

With 400sqm of internal living space, its designed to offer both indoor and outdoor entertaining on a grand scale.

Formal and informal living and dining areas open out to sunny and private travertine terraces and a loggia-style entertaining room with harbour views.

The modern open-plan kitchen features a butler’s pantry and Miele appliances.

Upstairs, accommodation comprises of three large bedrooms, all the with built-ins, capturing panoramic harbour views.

The post Former QBE Insurance CEO Pat Regan lists Point Piper apartment with $6.5m price guide appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The Beulah Park property at 23 Osborn Avenue sold at auction for almost $60,000 above reserve. Pic: realestate.com.au

Strong competition for a Beulah Park character home pushed its sale price almost $60,000 above reserve at auction.

The four-bedroom villa at 23 Osborn Avenue fetched $1.356 million under the hammer, which was $56,000 more than the sellers expected.

Selling agent Brandon Pilgrim, of Ray White Norwood, said the home’s extension and 969sqm block, which was much larger than most properties in the suburb, attracted househunters.

Throughout the 26-day campaign, Mr Pilgrim said 150 prospective buyers visited the home.

There were 13 registered bidders vying for the property. Pic: realestate.com.au

A young family bought the home. Pic: realestate.com.au

“The campaign was incredibly active and we ended up attracting 13 registered bidders on the day – it was that competition that drove such a good price,” he said.

“This was a sensational result for our vendor with the property selling $56,000 over the reserve following red-hot competition.”

Mr Pilgrim, who sold the property with Ryan Stapleton, said the top buyers in the running for the house were all under 40 years old and looking for a family-type home.

“I think there were one or two who may have been there for the land,” he said.

It was the first time buyers Paige and Tom Pham had attended an auction, but they had no problems fighting for the property they loved.

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Its extension and block size attracted prospective buyers. Pic: realestate.com.au

“COVID-19 was not an issue for us at all and we had a huge amount of confidence in the market,” Ms Pham said.

“We don’t believe the Adelaide market has slowed down at all – we sold fine last month – so we had no problem buying now at all.

“We have three young children and we love the neighbourhood, the good-sized block and the fact it’s close to the schools and amenities.

“We plan on staying here for the next 20-30 years.”

The home was just one of dozens of properties that sold at auction in the past week.

CoreLogic’s preliminary auction statistics show Adelaide recorded a 75.9 per cent clearance rate on 53 auctions in the week ending September 13.

At the same time last year, the clearance rate was 58.1 per cent on 68 auctions.

The post Beulah Park villa sells for almost $60,000 above reserve at auction appeared first on realestate.com.au.