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Have it all.

Not being able to jet off overseas for the foreseeable future will sting a lot less for whoever buys this private resort on the Mornington Peninsula.

A tennis court, infinity pool, spa, gym, home cinema, a hotel-style bedroom suite and multiple terraces offering spectacular bay views are all part of the package at 64 Bradford Road, Mount Martha.

“It would be a great place to be in lockdown,” Kay & Burton Flinders agent Meg Pell said.

“There are not a lot of reasons not to leave.”

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The contemporary tri-level home on a sprawling 2063sq m block hit the market shortly after Melbourne’s stage four lockdown kicked in, with a $5.5-$5.95m price guide.

“We took the photos the day before stage four, and the owner decided (to list it as) people might have time to look online, which I thought was brave,” Ms Pell said.

Turns out the owner was right, with the property accruing more than 14,600 views on realestate.com.au so far, plus a queue of would-be buyers keen to tour the property when physical inspections are allowed again.

“I‘ve had so many inquiries,” Ms Pell said.

The vast majority had come from Melbourne-based househunters who had been spurred on by the COVID-19 crisis to shift somewhere with “space, fresh air and a nice lifestyle”.

“People have realised they can work from home,” she said.

Striking and sophisticated modern design.

It doesn’t get much better.

All the angles.

“You’re only an hour from Melbourne here, so if you have to go into the office two days per week, you can. It’s the best of both worlds.”

Kay & Burton marketing for the house states that it “seemingly floats above a vista of panoramic bay views, from the Safety Beach shoreline to The Heads”, and “cascades down the block to showcase the spectacular vista” from all three levels that are connected by a lift.

The residence was designed by the award-winning Venn Architects to feature multiple living rooms, including a refined library and a Gold Class-style cinema.

Luxe touch.

High perch.

Breakfast with a view.

The kitchen stands out with granite benchtops, a Falcon dual oven, a butler’s pantry and a suite of Miele appliances including a coffee machine and dual refrigerator.

The main bedroom occupies the entire top level and offers a stone ensuite with a freestanding bath, an integrated TV, a walk-in wardrobe and a balcony boasting “breathtaking views that make you feel like you’re waking up in a Mediterranean hotel”.

A six-car garage and coveted location near Mount Martha’s village and beaches complete the package.

Mount Martha or the Mediterranean?

Glory days.

There really isn’t much reason to leave.

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samantha.landy@news.com.au

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82 Central Springs Road, Daylesford, also known as Dollywood, is lighting up the market.

Taking cues from the mecca of modernism, this vibrant home brings cool Californian style to Daylesford.

The property — known as Dollywood — is the short-term rental and holiday home of ex-AFL player Marcus Baldwin and his wife Eloise Fox.

The pair purchased the 1940s modernist property in 2016 after it had been renovated by a master builder and set out to transform it into a boutique holiday home inspired by their travels throughout California.

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The property is on the market with an $825,000 price tag.

The interiors are inspired by the couple’s travels throughout California.

The hip home hit the market this week and is already rumoured to be on the radar of a high-profile name in the fashion and entertainment industry.

The house and land at 82 Central Spring Road is on the market with a $825,000 price guide.

The buyers are able to negotiate the Dollywood brand and furnishings with the owners after the sale, if interested.

This could include funky neon signage, artworks from renowned artists, a record player, vintage bikes and other luxury inclusions that add to the success of the accommodation, which reaps in a very healthy income.

The house and land is being sold separately, with the chance to buy the Dollywood brand after the sale.

The boutique accommodation is booked 48 weeks of the year.

Baldwin was drafted to Hawthorn in 1997, made his debut late in the 2000 season for Geelong and later kitted up for Williamstown in the VFL.

He said they planned to buy a beach house in 2016, but instead stumbled upon the spa town.

“Besides the obvious of being a beautiful place with lots to do and close proximity to Melbourne, initially we did a lot of research into all the Victorian holiday locations and found Daylesford was one of the strongest holiday rental markets in Australia as it books all year round, winter and summer,” he said.

“Unlike a beach location that will only book out in summer — and when you want to use it.

“We also knew that a lot of the rental houses available in the area had a more traditional, country style vibe and we wanted to do something completely different from a styling point of view.”

Baldwin made his AFL debut for Geelong in 2000.

Marcus and Eloise with their daughter Dolly, who the property is named after, in 2015. Picture: David Crosling

Baldwin said the home’s name wasn’t inspired by glammed-up singer-songwriter Dolly Parton, instead named after the pair’s daughter, Dolly, and their visit to Hollywood.

“It has been on the holiday rental market for four years and it has just been crazy, we have bookings 48 weeks out of 52,” he said.

“We are looking to do another project.

“The initial plan was (to own Dollywood for) five years, but with COVID-19, the country (property market) has gone crazy as everyone wants to buy up there, so we felt it was the best time to sell.”

The couple are selling to move onto a new project.

Ms Fox designed the interiors to bring a touch of California to the “little town of Daylesford”.

“I wanted the interiors to speak to the architecture of the house but also provide functionality for guests staying so they could completely unwind and enjoy the space,” she said.

“I sourced furnishings from premium Australian companies such as Pop and Scott, Halcyon Lake, Dowel Jones, Jardan and many more.

“As well as having the backdrop of Daylesford’s beautiful surroundings, we wanted the interior of Dollywood to be as visually stimulating as its views. Dollywood’s walls are filled with pieces of art from artists such as Dina Broadhurst, Stephen Baker, Spencer Shakespeare amongst numerous others.”

A midweek two-night stay at Dollywood starts from $675.

Belle Property Daylesford agent Nathan Skewes said there had been a mix of interest from those looking to use it as a short-term accommodation investment property, and others wanting to buy it as a permanent home.

“A lot of Melbourne purchasers are looking to make the move to the country as they can now work from home and just go into the city a few days a week,” he said.

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The post Dollywood, Daylesford: Ex-AFL player’s California-inspired boutique holiday home for sale appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A Melbourne man has had about $1.6 million in assets restrained by the AFP after allegedly paying $4.75 million in bribes to Malaysian government officials. Picture: Supplied

A Victorian man accused of bribing Malaysian officials has had about $1.6 million in assets restrained by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

The 68-year-old man is said to have paid $4.75 million in bribes to Malaysian government officials in exchange for purchasing his property developments in Melbourne.

He was charged with foreign bribery and false accounting offences in July this year. However, the AFP began its investigation in February 2015.

According to the AFP, the man acquired three properties around a university campus in Caulfield East, in Melbourne’s southeast, and developed them into student hostels through his associated companies.

Following its development in 2013, the hostel was sold to a Malaysian government-owned entity for $22,600,000. The AFP say the purchase price was inflated from $17,850,000.

As of August this year, the AFP have restrained property totalling about $1.6 million after it attained restraining orders for two real estate properties in Victoria owned by the accused’s wife and a company she is the sole director of.

Bank accounts held by the woman and her husband’s associated companies were also restrained.

In the past financial year, the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce restrained criminal assets in excess of $250 million.

AFP Financial Crime commander Paul Osborne said the organisation was determined to investigate, prosecute and confiscate the assets of those Australians who bribe foreign officials.

“The AFP will continue to work collaboratively with international law-enforcement partners to discover, disrupt, investigate and prosecute foreign bribery and to restrain and confiscate their assets,” he said.

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The Woodlea estate town square in Rockbank will feature co-working spaces.

A Melbourne developer has discovered barely a quarter of its residents intend to return to the office full time after COVID-19.

And they’re not the only developer seeing signs our homes and local neighbourhoods will become a major part of our future work life.

A survey of more than 400 residents at the Woodlea estate in Rockbank found 43 per cent did not work from home before coronavirus.

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But only 27 per cent indicated they planned to return to their workplace full time post-pandemic.

Almost one in five intended to work from home three days a week.

Project director Matthew Dean said the figures had motivated a decision to include a co-working space at the estate’s town centre.

Woodlea Estate by VIP and Mirvac in Rockbank will have green spaces built within 200m of homes as a result of higher community demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s opened everyone’s eyes about what you can actually do from home, and people are realising that the travel time is a time waster,” Mr Dean said.

The development, headed by Mirvac and Victorian Investments and Properties, is also moving to increase resident proximity to parks, and the number of green spaces from one within 400m of every home to one within 200m. This follows an increase in people wanting to spend more time outdoors.

The Inkerman and Nelson by ICON Developments has seen high demand for home offices.

ICON Developments also reported 78 per cent of the townhouses at its Inkerman & Nelson project (right) were now being designed to integrate a home office space, be it a built-in desk or converting a room into a dedicated study.

The Balaclava development still has a handful of two- and three-storey homes available, priced from $1.285-$1.595m via Eisen Property.

Buyer Simon Vallegra said he had asked for a home office to be included in his future home to suit his wife’s fashion-design work, and expectations he would work from home with greater regularity.

“The future is that it won’t matter where you are or the hours you work, it will be about the output,” Mr Vallegra said.

If not a full study, many buyers are opting to have a built-in desk included in the homes.

Castran Gilbert director Michael Lang said his project marketing firm was already discussing a range of work-from-home changes to apartment living with developers.

“So you will see more of what we are calling ‘Zoom rooms’, (with) an area for a computer and desk, as opposed to your straight one- or two-bedroom homes,” Mr Lang said.

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If you’re looking to invest in property, there are several things you’ll need to take into account: the cost, the rental yield, and the likelihood that your property continues to increase in value over time.

Melbourne property is highly sought after – but what kind of return on your investment can you expect from purchasing there? And what were the best suburbs to invest in Melbourne in 2020?

Using the latest data from realestate.com.au, we’ve compiled a list of this year’s 10 best suburbs to invest in Melbourne, based on the yearly median sale price, the year-on-year change in the median sale price, and the average rental yield for properties in these suburbs.

1: Tyabb, Average Rental Yield of 3.98%

Tyabb is Melbourne’s best suburb to invest, with a median sale price of $892,500 and is also the cheapest on the list of top ten.

55 kilometres south of the CBD on the Mornington Peninsula, Tyabb’s year-on-year change in the median sale price is 47% and the yearly rental yield is 3.98%.

Picture: realestate.com.au

2: Collingwood, Average Rental Yield of 3.4%

Following Tyabb is the eclectic inner-city suburb of Collingwood.

Collingwood costs a pretty penny to invest in, with a median sale price of $1,140,000. The year-on-year change in sale price sits at 30%, while the rental yield is 3.40%.

The inner-city ‘burb of Collingwood is perfect for those that love warehouse-style homes. Picture: realestate.com.au

3: Hughesdale, Average Rental Yield of 2.46%

15 kilometres southeast of the CBD is Hughesdale, the third-best suburb to invest in Melbourne. With a median sale price of $1,362,000, Derrimut is the fifth-most expensive suburb to invest in our list.

Hughesdale has a year-on-year change in the median sale price of 28% and a rental yield of 2.46%.

Leafy Hughesdale is next to the popular shopping hotspot, Chadstone. Picture: realestate.com.au

4: Box Hill South, Average Rental Yield of 2.38%

Box Hill South comes in next, 15 kilometres east of the CBD.

Box Hill South has a median yearly sale price of $1,281,444, that’s a change of 28%. The rental yield is a positive 2.38%.

Family-friendly Box Hill South is located in Melbourne’s east. Picture: realestate.com.au

5: Kensington, Average Rental Yield of 3.03%

Situated much closer to the city is Kensington, just 4 kilometres north-west of the city.

Kensington has a median sale price of $1,121,000 and a change in the median sale price of 25%%. The rental yield sits at 3.03%.

Located just 4km from the CBD is Kensington. Picture: realestate.com.au

6: Heidelberg, Average Rental Yield of 2.58%

Next is Heidelberg, 13 kilometres north-east of the city. Heidelberg has a median sale price of $1,269,900 and a yearly change in the sale price of 23%%.

The rental yield of Heidelberg also comes in at sixth-place at 2.58%.

Heidelberg is in Melbourne’s northeast. Picture: realestate.com.au

7: Aberfeldie, Average Rental Yield of 2.30%

Aberfeldie comes in eighth, situated on in the north-west just 9 kilometres of the city along the banks of the Maribyrnong River.

It has a costly median sale price of $1,657,500 and a year-on-year change in the sale price of 23%%. The rental yield here is slightly lower than Heidelberg, at 2.30%%.

Aberfeldie is a suburb that sits on the banks of the Maribyrnong River. Picture: realestate.com.au

8: Murrumbeena, Average Rental Yield of 2.51%

Coming in eighth in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne is Murrumbeena, in  rental yield of 2.51%.

The median sale price here is $1,410,500, while the year-on-year change in the median sale price is 22%%.

In Melbourne’s South East sits Murrumbeena. Picture: realestate.com.au

9: Park Orchards, Average Rental Yield of 2.86%

Park Orchards is the ninth-best suburb to invest in Melbourne.

The yearly median sale price here is $1,835,000, with a year-on-year change of 22%%. The rental yield comes in at a promising 2.86%.

Around 25km from Melbourne’s CBD sits leafy Park Orchards. Picture: realestate.com.au

10: Mont Albert North, Average Rental Yield of 2.22%

Rounding out the top ten for Melbourne’s best suburb to invest in is Mont Albert North, located around 14 kilometres east of Melbourne city centre. The median sale price for the past 12 months is $1525,000, and the year-on-year change in the median sale price is a notable 21%.

On top of that, the average rental yield is 2.22%. While not the highest rental yield in the top ten, Mont Albert North is the second on list in terms of change in median sale price.

Located around 14km from Melbourne’s CBD is Mont Albert North. Picture: realestate.com.au

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Cindy Huang and Robert Yin, with daughter Isabel, 4, outside their Lane Cove North townhouse. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Homebuyers on the hunt for an apartment this spring have been urged to be selective in what they buy and not just focus on price.

The inner city unit market is among the weaker performing areas in Sydney and, despite this increasing the likelihood of getting a bargain, it has also meant property selection remains critical, housing experts said.

My Housing Market economist Andrew Wilson said the worst affected properties during the pandemic were “investor stock” – units usually aimed at the landlord market.

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Prices for these properties were being slashed because landlords were struggling to tenant them while international travel remained restricted, he said. Most of the properties were usually rented out by international students, travellers or hospitality workers.

“That weakness in the inner city unit market will probably continue until international travel is allowed to resume,” Mr Wilson said.

Buyer’s agent Michelle May said due diligence was particularly important for unit buyers as there were often more factors to consider than with houses.

She recommended starting with the strata report. “You need to know the building was constructed properly and has no building defects but also run effectively with an engaged strata committee,” she said.

Older apartments were often a safer bet, she added. “I recommend buying only something that is at least five years old as the building will have had time to settle,” Ms May said.

Checking building compliance was another vital step in the due diligence process given recent construction disasters such as cladding issues in the Grenfell Tower in London, which burnt down.

“You need contract reviews and development application checks but you also need to ensure the building is on the cladding register,” Ms May said.

Buying in a larger building often means higher strata fees.

Other things to consider were the location and aspect – factors that, unlike the features and fittings in a property, couldn’t be changed.

The ideal aspect was north or east facing, while quieter roads made better locations. “Don’t buy on yellow roads,” Ms May said. “A yellow road on Google Maps indicates higher volumes of traffic.

“Properties on main roads are also the first to drop in price when the market turns (and) from a practical point of view, you want to be able to open your windows and not get noise and car fumes.”

Units in lower density suburbs with good transport links tended to hold their value better as there were fewer opportunities for larger developers. There was also more underlying demand in these areas, which meant the capital growth potential was often greater.

Smaller buildings had a key advantage in that single votes on the strata committee counted for more.

$70,000 discount: this unit on Pyrmont St in Pyrmont was $900,000, now it’s $830,000.

Large apartment buildings with amenities like gyms needed to be considered with caution, she added. The extra facilities tended to be expensive and were only worth it for those who were confident they would use them regularly.

Buildings with a high proportion of owner occupiers were also better than those with mostly landlords.

And quality trumped quantity. “You’re better off going for a good-sized one-bedder than a tiny two-bedder but I always recommend to my clients to buy with the future in mind. … many young couples who buy apartments need to make sure they have that extra space for when they decide to start a family. A second bedroom is going to make a world of difference. Buy for at least a five-year life plan.”

TOWNHOUSE BOUGHT EXTRA WELL

Most homeowners have some gripe with their properties – maybe a room that gets little sun or the parking is too narrow – but Rob Yin and Cindy Huang have a more unusual problem.

The couple say their three-bedroom townhouse in Lane Cove North was purchased so well they have struggled to leave. They had been deliberating selling for years to move to a house but kept putting it off because they didn’t think they would find a better home.

The Yin family said their townhouse ticked all the boxes.

“I grew up in a house with a backyard so I wanted that for our children, but we’ve never been motivated because the townhouse ticks every box,” Mr Yin said.

The family eventually decided if they didn’t list now they would find it even harder to part with the property down the line when they outgrew it.

“Its north facing and on a cul-de-sac which is full of kids on Sundays … it’s been perfect for us,” Mr Yin said.

Their property at 11 Sawyer Cres goes to auction September 26 with Belle Property-Lane Cove agent Patrick Lang.

The post How to buy well: the key things unit purchasers must consider during the pandemic appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The Belair home at 1A Serpentine Road has some of the best views in Adelaide. Pic: realestate.com.au

In the words of the world’s most famous space ranger, the enviable view from this home in the Adelaide foothills looks like it stretches to infinity and beyond.

The Belair house at 1A Serpentine Rd was designed and built to make the most of the picturesque vista, which encompasses Brown Hill Creek, the city and its surrounding suburbs.

For 20 years owners Shannon and James Nicholson have lapped up the ever-changing scenery that forms the backdrop of their home.

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The view can be admired from almost every room in the house. Pic: realestate.com.au

The entertainment deck offers the best spot to enjoy it though. Pic: realestate.com.au

Now they have put the house on the market, giving someone else a chance to enjoy the view.

Ms Nicholson said they had loved living in the four-bedroom house, which they designed with friend Tim Geue of Built Design Architects.

“This is a beautiful home and very comfortable with expansive windows and views from almost every room,” she said.

“We have loved living here – the amazing views, the northerly aspect and the huge indoor-outdoor entertaining.

“The outdoor balcony, that’s 100 per cent the thing we use more than anything.

“Even in winter, it’s actually sunny and warm.”

The house, which is on a sprawling 1600sqm block, has two levels with entertainment decks to make the most of the view on each.

You can even kick back and relax in the bath while lapping up the view. Pic: realestate.com.au

The home was built two decades ago but certain rooms, including the kitchen, have been updated over the years. Pic: realestate.com.au

The home has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Pic: realestate.com.au

An open kitchen, living and family room as well as two bedrooms, including the main, are on the top level, while two more bedrooms and a living area are downstairs.

Walls of windows flank the home to ensure the impressive views are always on show.

Ms Nicholson said the house had been the perfect family home over the past two decades.

“There’s nothing that I would change, everything in the house has been perfect for us,” she said.

“We will miss our home but with my husband now living overseas, we have bought a small home on the lake at West Lakes.

“But we will definitely head back to the hills in the future and maybe even build another home.”

The property, which is on the market without a price tag, is being sold by Tanner Real Estate director Simon Tanner.

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