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A CAIRNS real estate agent currently fielding interest from a “very active” buyers’ market is reminding sellers on how they can maximise the value of their sale.

RE/MAX broker-owner Ray Murphy says auctions could offer bonus opportunities for the sale of a home due to the specific marketing process and the competitive nature of how homes sold when listed to go under the hammer.

He said Cairns’ current market conditions made it an ideal time for prospective sellers to consider auctioning their home.

“We’re finding we’ve got more buyers than properties listed and we’re regularly getting multiple offers on properties,” Mr Murphy said.

RE/MAX Cairns broker-owner Ray Murphy and auction agent David Murphy

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“Having multiple buyers for a single property is relatively unusual for Cairns and we should be taking properties to auction because of it. At the moment we’re getting offers off market so it’s like we’re doing silent auctions anyway, so why not go to auction for all the benefits.”

Mr Murphy said auction campaigns were designed to expose the property to a maximum number of genuine buyers due to strict time frames where buyers would focus on the property itself, rather than the price during the lead-up to a competitive bidding war on auction day.

“With their defined time frame, auctions attract people who are serious about buying and selling. The seller has market-derived feedback, is the decision maker on price and has greater control over the selling process, in general.

“A reserve price protects the seller; and there’s the certainty of unconditional sale.

“The contract of sale is on your terms and the conditions of the sale are predetermined to suit your situation. An offer can be made before, at, or after the auction.

“When an auctioneer announces, ‘the property is on the market’, all is laid bare and one price will win the property. Competitive bidding can certainly help achieve a maximum sale price.”

RE/MAX auctioneer David Murphy said buyers’ motivations were beneficial to current sellers. “The buyers’ mentality in the current market is indicative that the fear of missing out on the property is greater than the desire to snag a bargain.”

The post Cairns real estate: Market conditions causing ‘silent auction’ activity appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Rural properties are in short supply in the Tablelands

FAR Northern farms have become a sought-after commodity during the COVID-19 crisis with rural properties rapidly snapped up across the Tablelands.

Tablelands.com and Malanda Real Estate principal Darren Hithersay said his office was so busy it was “running out of rural land” and searching for new listings to satisfy requests from buyers prompted by the pandemic to make a lifestyle change.

“We have always been busy when it comes to rural land, but it has been a little overwhelming since C19,” he said.

“We currently have properties under contract – including one by people from Western Australia – and are getting inquiries from Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane with many people deciding life is too short and it’s time to make a change.

“Buyers are motivated by the climate up here, they want to know if the property has water on it, and most don’t worry if the house is a bit old as they can fix it up.”

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Mr Hithersay said the value of rural properties on the Tablelands had risen with a lack of farms for sale coming onto the market driving the current boom.

“Prices are going up for sure and that’s mainly because of supply and demand,” he said.

“I try not to do the sales pitch, but am telling buyers they need to act if they don’t want to miss out.”

A recent Rural Bank report revealed the median price of farmland in north Queensland increased by 3.5 per cent in 2019 with a 13.5 per cent rise across Australia.

WHAT IT’S WORTH

The median price for farmland in north Queensland was $8947/ha, compared to $4650 across the state. That increased “notably” on the Tablelands and Cassowary Coast while slipping in Douglas and Charters Towers.

The post Real estate: Why rural land is hot across Far North appeared first on realestate.com.au.

PRESTIGE buyers are trading the beach for the bush as the demand for luxury acreage estates hots up in the Gold Coast hinterland.

The COVID-19 crisis has seen a surge in inquiry for rural real estate and cashed up high end buyers are joining the queue for well-appointed homes in the hills.

The Bluestone estate at 128 Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba.

A first-class rural sanctuary in Guanaba, 30 minutes north west of Surfers Paradise, has drawn instant interest since it hit the market for $3.5 million this week.

“In less than 48 hours the property had around 1000 views online,” said Kollosche’s Kara Evatt who is leading the Bluestone campaign with Eddie Wardale.

“We’ve been hearing from people who are looking to sell their waterfront properties and upsize on more land.”

Honey, I’m home! Bluestone has its own helicopter pad and hanger.

Spread out over 4.32ha, 128 Guanaba Creek Road boasts a helicopter pad and hanger for easy access along with a cobblestone driveway that’s custom-made for prestige wheels.

The six-bedroom residence has been upgraded and extended by the current owners to include an airconditioned gym with martial arts mat, sauna, bar and a showroom style eight-car garage.

Champagne at twilight overlooking the estate.

The extensive grounds include a championship size tennis court, heated swimming pool and spa, stables, two lakes, organic vegetables gardens and an established orchard.

“There’s nothing else like this in the area,” Ms Evatt said.

“This property is six-star with all of the luxuries you could need. It has a real celebrity feel about it.”

Bluestone’s features include gardens, lakes, a tennis court and pool.

While agents on the northern end report strong interest out of Brisbane for acreage retreats in and around Tamborine Mountain, interstate buyers are focused on southern parcels.

“From Burleigh to Bilinga, we’re finding the level of inquiry is crazy, particularly for acreage properties,” said Ed Cherry of Sophie Carter Exclusive Properties.

“That interest for retreat-style properties is mainly coming from Sydney and Brisbane, where buyers are looking for a weekender or to relocate.”

795 Tomewin Mountain Road, Currumbin Valley sold for $1.55 million.

Late last month, buyers from Batemans Bay paid $1.55 million for a designer five-bedroom home on almost five acres at 795 Tomewin Mountain Road, Currumbin Valley.

Here’s a selection of amazing acreage properties on the market right now.

475 Tallebudgera Connection Road, Tallebudgera

475 Tallebudgera Connection Road, Tallebudgera

475 Tallebudgera Connection Road, Tallebudgera

Surrounded by landscaped gardens, this resort-style sanctuary offers three acres of land on which to relax in peace and privacy.

Inspired by Colorado mountain chalets, the four-bedroom residence features high ceilings, exposed timber beams and natural stone finishes.

Outdoor rustic recreation is covered by a pool, vegetable garden and tree hut for the kids.

Price: $2.2 million

Agent: Ryan Ward, Kollosche

76-82 Main Western Road, Tamborine Mountain

76-82 Main Western Rd, Tamborine Mountain

76-82 Main Western Rd, Tamborine Mountain

The Mediterranean-style residence known as Laurel Lane is secluded on 1.2ha of lush lawns, country garden and ponds in the heart of Tamborine Mountain.

Tasmanian Oak and Jarrah ceilings feature inside the main residence while travertine and red marble lines the floors in the open plan design.

You can grow your own food in the vegetable gardens and orchard where automated irrigation keeps the maintenance to a minimum.

Price: Contact agent

Agent: Colleen Brunt and Nick Zhang, Amir Prestige – Paradise Point

186 Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba

186 Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba.

186 Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba.

This hinterland manor may feel like it’s a world away, but in 10 minutes you’re on the M1 and in 30 minutes you’ll hit the sand.

The five-bedroom Rembrae Downs homestead is set back from the road on 8ha where rolling hills give way to 150m of Coomera River frontage.

Luxury appointments include a pool, heated spa, gazebo and bar, while a stable block on a separate title caters for four-legged friends with three large stables, tac room, office, feed shed and store room and wash bay.

Price: Contact agent

Agent: Emma Gregory and Amir Mian, Amir Prestige – Mermaid Beach

Wildlife drop by for a feed at 186 Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba.

49 Bramley Dr, Tallebudgera Valley

49 Bramley Dr, Tallebudgera Valley.

The nine-bedroom residence is one of the largest in Tallebudgera Valley.

This grand nine-bedroom chateau is surrounded by virgin rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife.

“This is one of the biggest homes available in Tallebudgera Valley,” said agent Ed Cherry.

“Every bedroom has a courtyard coming off it.”

The estate lends itself to income opportunities such as a boutique hotel, weddings, health retreat or a high-end bed and breakfast.

With all the charm of a bygone era, the estate features a 4000-book library, wine cellar, open log fireplace and a pool looking out to the forest.

There are two self-contained staff quarters, a separate guesthouse and provision for another house to be built on the property.

Price: On application

Agent: Ed Cherry, Sophie Carter Exclusive Properties

300 Monaro Road, Mudgeeraba

300 Monaro Road, Mudgeeraba

300 Monaro Road, Mudgeeraba

Marketed as a Federation eco retreat, this two-storey Queenslander on 4.79ha has panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Springbrook hinterland.

Located within eight kilometres of the Mudgeeraba township, the accommodation includes two self-contained guest suites, a master suite and a separate self-contained three-room studio, ideal for working from home.

Inclusions list a pool, spa, steam room and gym, while the grounds encompass an enclosed organic vegie garden, free range chook run and fruit trees.

Existing approval for a health retreat also allow for future business opportunities.

Price: Tender by September 4

Agent: Lyn Newcomb and Jodi Russell, Harcourts Mudgeeraba

61 Gibsonville Street, Tallebudgera Valley

61 Gibsonville Street, Tallebudgera Valley

61 Gibsonville Street, Tallebudgera Valley

This near-new house is located on one of Tallebudgera Valley’s most sought after streets.

A tree-lined driveway sets the scene for a prestige acreage lifestyle in a relaxed rural setting.

The four-bedroom house on 2.25ha is designed for seamless indoor-outdoor living with bi-fold doors connecting the living areas to the entertainment deck, gardens and dam.

There’s ample parking for cars, boats, caravans, trailers and more with a double shed and a double garage.

Auction: August 25, 6pm

Agent: Matt Micallef and Erika Zatyko, Ray White

The post Prestige buyers trade the beach for the bush appeared first on realestate.com.au.

2a Playford St, Glen Osmond. Woodley House. Picture: Jonathan Kissock

Breathing new life into one of SA’s oldest homesteads has been “a labour of love” for Ian and Fiona Traill.

But with work drawing them back to Sydney, the couple are now reluctantly saying goodbye to historic Woodley House, which has been a feature of the Glen Osmond landscape since being built by Osmond Gilles – the colony’s first treasurer – in 1843.

2a Playford St, Glen Osmond. Woodley House. Picture: Jonathan Kissock

The couple purchased the sprawling 5884sqm property in 2017, attracted by the grand Victorian style villa’s grandeur, location – and car parking space.

“We were living in Sydney in a terrace in Paddington … we wanted to have a car park and that turned out to be an extra million dollars,” Mr Traill, an architect, says. “And we saw this home advertised for about the same price as the value of our terrace in Paddington – and this one had about 15 carparks and was a beautiful property.

2a Playford St, Glen Osmond. Woodley House. Picture: Jonathan Kissock

“So we flew down and basically purchased it on the spot, without thinking too much about its existing condition,” Mr Traill says.

The couple have since taken on major interior renovations – bringing the six-bedroom mansion into line with contemporary living expectations – as well as replanning and replanting the expansive garden area.

2a Playford St, Glen Osmond. Woodley House. Picture: Jonathan Kissock

New works included a replanned kitchen and pantry, three ensuites and two powder rooms and new plumbing. The home has also been completely rewired – allowing for excellent internet coverage throughout – while roof attic space has been converted into two bedrooms with ensuites.

Mr Traill says it was important to respect the building’s heritage. “We wanted to change things as we went, and we got heritage approval and started peeling it back, trying to get the true character of the property,” he says.

2a Playford St, Glen Osmond. Woodley House. Picture: Jonathan Kissock

“We stripped off a lot of the plasterwork internally and exposed a lot of the old stonework, which is lovely. The house had some good bones and there was the opportunity to express that more. It’s been good – it’s come together and it’s full of nice finishes. It’s still got a very strong character and we’ve kept all the original features where we could.”

2a Playford St, Glen Osmond. Woodley House. Picture: Jonathan Kissock

Some of these features include high ceilings with ornamental cornices and ceiling roses, high skirting boards, imported solid French Oak panelled windows, double hung and casement windows and french doors.

Interior highlights include the chef’s kitchen, a 1000-bottle wine cellar, library and gymnasium – while the LED-lit tennis court, beautiful gardens and wood-fired pizza oven help make entertaining a breeze.

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Another standout feature is the property’s peaceful location – complete with plenty of birdlife and its own resident koalas – and its stunning views of the city and beyond.

“People come here and are shocked by the closeness of the city,” he says. “There are some places higher up that have got a drone view, whereas this gives you a fantastic panorama of the city and the gulf.

2a Playford St, Glen Osmond. Woodley House. Picture: Jonathan Kissock

“And it’s very nicely located at the base of the foothills – it’s close to Burnside Village and only 15 minutes drive into the city.”

Mr Traill says he and Fiona had had second thoughts about moving. “Everyone says ‘why are you selling it, how could you give it up’,” he says. “It’s been a labour of love but it’s got 16 rooms and there’s only two of us so realistically, what are we going to do?

“As we’ve got to this point, we’re kind of thinking ‘do we really want to sell it?” but it’s more of a logistics thing with work going on in Sydney.”

2A Playford Street, Glen Osmond

Contact agent for price

Agent: Booth and Booth Real Estate, Jamie Brown 0413 000 887. Land size: 5884sqm. Expressions of interest: Close Tuesday, September 15 at noon. Open: By appointment.

The post Set in stone: Glen Osmond’s Woodley House is built to last appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Newcastle is one of NSW’s strongest growth regions.

Regional housing values have held firm through the COVID period compared with the capital cities across Australia.

New research from CoreLogic shows dwelling values across the regional areas of Australia slipping by only 0.1 per cent between March and the end of July, while capital city home values are down 2 per cent over the same period.

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It has especially been the case to the immediate south and north of Sydney. The Illawarra region is the standout performer. The Illawarra recorded the largest annual rise in regional housing values across Australia, up 12 per cent. It also saw the biggest jump in home sale volume over the past twelve months, with activity up 14 per cent over the year.

The Hunter Valley region saw values rise 2.8 per cent. Credit: Destination NSW

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie was NSW’s next best performing region. Its house values were up eight per cent, on the back of a seven per cent hike in sales activity.

Elsewhere, the Hunter Valley region, excluding Newcastle, saw values up 2.8 per cent annually. Its sales activity level was up six per cent.

The heightened sales activity was evident in the NSW Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven, where the house sales volume increased by 12.7 per cent. Values in the region grew by 3.2 per cent annually.

The latest quarterly regional report analysed 25 of Australia’s largest non-capital city regions, including 10 from NSW, looking at performance of both house and unit markets. Of the 50 house and unit markets included in the analysis, 37 have seen values rise over the 12 months to July.

Houses were the better performer over the year, with 20 regions recording a rise in the value of houses, while five regional areas saw house values decline over the 12 months, with two in NSW.

They were the Riverina area and the New England and North West region. The latter had the longest days on market over the year, with houses taking close to 100 days to sell, on average.

Across regional unit markets, 17 regions across Australia recorded a rise in values over the year to July.

While the region by region data shows diversity, Tim Lawless, the head of research at CoreLogic, suggests relatively steady conditions in regional markets were partly due to the areas being less affected by stalling overseas migration.

Markets south and north of Sydney are performing the strongest. Picture: John Appleyard

“Close to 85 per cent of Australia’s net overseas migration flows into the capital cities,” Mr Lawless advised.

Mr Lawless also reckons the latest data shows some momentum in the trend towards rising demand for lifestyle properties. “It was prevalent prior to COVID-19,” he added.

Regional areas certainly offer up a variety of advantages and risks compared with their capital city counterparts. Housing prices tend to be lower, providing a more affordable entry point to the market.

For instance, there is a $588,000 median around Newcastle, $590,000 in the Southern Highlands and $704,000 in the Illawarra.

Mr Lawless warns regional economic conditions can be more volatile, especially those areas that are heavily dependent on a single industry for economic prosperity.

There have been signs regional growth rates peaked in late 2019, and could head into negative territory later this year without significant improvement to economic conditions or a demonstrated shift in demand side factors like population growth.

The post Regional cities have performed stronger than capitals throughout COVID-19 crisis appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Great Ocean Road, Big Hill, was the most-searched street in the Geelong region in the past three years.

A look into the Geelong region’s most popular streets shows buyers are searching for lifestyle and checking out some amazing trophy homes.

Data from realestate.com.au revealed the region’s most searched street over the past three years — the Great Ocean Road at Big Hill, near Lorne, show how amazing homes can attract huge interest.

A luxury home previously owned by celebrity chef Shannon Bennett and actor Madeleine West was the only residence traded in the locality since 2017.

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The 1000sq m, five-bedroom house at 1200 Great Ocean Road sold for $4.025 million in late 2018.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said there’s always an element of stick-beaking as people search for bigger, better homes.

An incredible home previously owned by Shannon Bennett and Madeleine West at Great Ocean Road, Big Hill.

“There is a certain percentage of those searching that are stickybeaking and want to check out certain homes and certain streets,” she said.

“They might have a much better view, nicer houses or something else desirable that tends to lead to higher levels of interest.

“Sometimes it might be that a super-popular house in that street can lead to an incredible surge of activity,” she said.

Homes in Jarosite Rd, Bells Beach have attracted significant interest, including the long-time former home of Nicky Buckley and Murray Bingham.

Newtown agent Dale Whitford said the top streets near central Geelong were quiet areas.

“In Patten Court, (Newtown) there is no through-traffic — you wouldn’t go there unless you had a reason and most people don’t even know where it is,” Mr Whitford said.

“Mont Albert Rd (Geelong) is a bit like that — a nice tree-lined street, close to everything but really quiet and no really big traffic problems.”

Mr Whitford said schools, water and other amenities were big drivers of where people searched for property.

This former Costa family home in Whyte Court, Newtown attracted huge interest.

“Or you’ve got people who do the complete opposite and want to buy a small acreage out of town at Ceres, for example.

“What we’ve noticed in the recent past is people wanting to migrate out of Melbourne down here even more than they used to,” Mr Whitford said.

“When Stage 4 lockdown finishes in Melbourne, I reckon we are going to see the influx down here will be huge.”

Holmwood Ave is a short walk to the river and shopping centre at Anglesea.

Richardson, Newtown agent Matt Poustie said more people were looking for lifestyle properties, for a tree-change to a bush block at Wensleydale or Anakie or a hobby farm closer to the shops and schools of Geelong.

Mr Poustie said most buyers were from Geelong but lifestyle properties were rising in popularity with Melburnians.

“We find a lot of the Melbourne buyers are attracted to being somewhere between Geelong and Torquay. It’s not too far, it’s just off the freeway, so it’s perfect, and the land sizes are not too big (at 5 to 10 acres),” he said.

Luxury amid a rustic lifestyle area offered buyers a chance for a tree change at Gum Flats Rd, Wensleydale.

“People who really want seclusion, they want a proper bush block and a tree change, so they really want to be off the grid, part of the environment.”

Other homes linked to celebrities and business identities included Surf Coast couple Nicky Buckley and Murray Bingham’s former residence at Jarosite Rd, Jan Juc, which sold in early 2019 for $2.95m, and a sprawling five-bedroom Whyte Court mansion with a swimming pool, tennis court built by Frank Costa, but sold for more than $5m after daughter Suzanne and husband Tim Cleary completed a massive renovation.

4A Patten Court, Newtown offers panoramic views across the Barwon River valley.

TOP 20 STREETS – GEELONG

Great Ocean Road, Big Hill

Harry Lane, Anakie

Hardings Road, Freshwater Creek

Seahaven Place, Jan Juc

First Avenue, Anglesea

Charlemont Court, Ocean Grove

Gum Flats Road, Wensleydale

Glen Avon Drive, Bannockburn

Jarosite Road, Bells Beach

Frog Hollow Drive, Torquay

Whyte Court, Newtown

Mont Albert Road, Geelong

Holmwood Avenue, Anglesea

Larcombes Road, Modewarre

Richmond Court, Geelong

Patten Court, Newtown

Maldon Place, Ocean Grove

Clifton Avenue, Leopold

Mill Race Road, Highton

Bluestone School Road, Connewarre

*Search data from three years to August 1, 2020. Source: realestate.com.au

The post Geelong’s most wanted streets reveal our search for lifestyle and trophy homes appeared first on realestate.com.au.