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Predicting the suburbs that will see the strongest property price growth over the next decade is a difficult task, but past buyer behaviour can offer a few clues about the areas that could be earmarked for urban rejuvenation. 

Price growth data from realestate.com.au shows the areas that were popular with first-home buyers 10 years ago have become some of the best performers. Sydney’s inner west and Melbourne’s inner north are just two examples of areas that have done particularly well over this time period.

Since the beginning of the year, we have seen a surge in first-home buyer enquiry on realestate.com.au off the back of a suite of government incentives such as the 5% deposit scheme as well as record-low interest rates. Most recently, the federal government announced the HomeBuilder scheme, and while not specifically designed for first-home buyers, the program has been particularly popular with them.

In addition, the states and territories offer first-home buyer incentives in the form of grants and stamp duty exemptions, with New South Wales this week announcing that stamp duty will be temporarily scrapped for first-home buyers purchasing newly built properties worth up to $800,000 and heavily discounted for homes priced up to $1 million.

First-home buyer search activity from a decade ago could help predict the areas set for urban rejuvenation. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

We can see from enquiry data on realestate.com.au that certain suburbs within capital cities are particularly popular with first-home buyers, including the many house and land development areas on the outskirts of the CBDs, as well as inner and middle ring suburbs such as Seven Hills in Sydney and Footscray in Melbourne.

On the other hand, regional areas are also doing well and an influx of young first-home buyers has the potential to radically change these locales.

These are the regional areas that have seen the strongest enquiry on realestate.com.au over the past 12 months.

Orange, NSW

Over the past year, the city of Orange in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales, was the most in-demand town for regional first-home buyers in that state – and in fact, one of the most popular in all of New South Wales. Orange has seen more first-home buyer activity than the popular outer Sydney suburbs of Quakers Hill, Marsden Park and Kellyville – fairly impressive for a town with only loose economic ties to Sydney.

The driving factor behind demand for housing in Orange is mining, which represents one quarter of the local economy. The Cadia Valley Operations is one of the biggest gold mining operations in Australia, and with gold being a hot commodity, Australia is set to become one of the biggest producers in the world.

Beyond mining, first-home buyer demand in Orange is driven by factors similar to other established regional towns in Australia such as tourism, healthcare, manufacturing and education.

The NSW regional town of Orange is one of the most sought-after areas for first-home buyers in the state. Picture:realestate.com.au/buy

Shepparton, VIC

Regional Victoria has been one of the bright spots for property price growth over the past three years, with areas such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo seeing some of the highest rates of price growth in Australia.

While these areas have become more expensive as a result, they are still relatively affordable compared to Melbourne suburbs. It is therefore surprising to see Shepparton, in northern Victoria, topping the list of most sought-after regional towns for first-home buyers in Victoria.

Property in Shepparton is particularly affordable with a median house price of around $280,000 – far cheaper than regional areas within commuting distance to Melbourne. While affordability is a factor for many buyers in regional locales, it is likely that improved employment prospects in Shepparton are also a drawcard for first-home buyers.

Southern Gold Coast, QLD

The Southern Gold Coast stretching to Byron Bay has seen particularly strong rental demand over the past three years and while we can’t exactly tell who is renting right now in that region, the demand is likely driven by younger people. This could be further backed by high levels of first-home buyer enquiry as more renters become interested in converting to first-home buyers in the current climate.

The Gold Coast lifestyle is a big drawcard for first-home buyers. Picture: Getty

Lifestyle is likely the biggest driver of demand in this part of Australia, but the Gold Coast is also a major employment centre. Longer term, the Gold Coast will have a land shortage, which will support prices. For now, however, the region is priced at a level that many first-home buyers can afford.

Margaret River, WA

The Western Australian economy is, so far, looking relatively COVID-19-proof due to record level iron ore production and prices, as well as high demand for gold. This is boosting property prices in many mining towns, which are now showing strong growth with Karratha showing the highest level of first-home buyer enquiry.

However, property prices in mining towns are notoriously variable because they are driven by the resources cycle.

A longer term demographic shift appears to be happening in Western Australia’s south-west, which appears to be having a mini population boom. Prices are increasing in many towns and first-home buyers are particularly active in one location – not surprisingly, beautiful Margaret River.

The beautiful coastal town of Margaret River is popular among first-home buyers. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

Mount Gambier, SA

Mount Gambier is currently the most in-demand location by first-home buyers in regional South Australia. Not surprisingly, perhaps, given that it is South Australia’s second biggest city. The city is a service centre for much of the region but is also a popular tourist destination and has a sizeable forestry and mining sector.

Right now, however, Mount Gambier is being impacted by the hard border closure between Victoria and South Australia due to the coronavirus pandemic, which is likely to impact property search activity for the remainder of the year.

Glenorchy, Tasmania

Property in Hobart was once affordable but is now expensive. However, there are still suburbs within reach for first-home buyers with Glenorchy, north of the capital, showing up as a popular place for this buyer group.

Technically regional, Glenorchy is so close to Hobart that it could almost be considered part of the city.

The post The regional areas set for urban rejuvenation following strong first-home buyer demand appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Family homes across Adelaide are being rented quickly because demand for them is so strong.

Rents are falling across most of the country in the wake of COVID-19, but Adelaide is one of two capital cities bucking the trend.

CoreLogic’s Quarterly Rental Review reveals the city’s median rent value increased 0.1 per cent in the June quarter to $397 per week – the second lowest rent across the country.

Perth’s median rent climbed the most – up 0.9 per cent to $396 per week – while those in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra all fell slightly.

Harris property management director John Carey said Adelaide’s slight increase had come from properties listed on the rental market, as landlords were not allowed to increase rents in tenanted properties during the coronavirus pandemic.

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“If a tenant vacates and you go to market, you can ask for whatever rent you’d like to,” he said.

“The demand for properties is up, which is how we still manage to have a slight rise.

“It reflects a healthy supply and demand ratio in Adelaide, and that’s very good news for landlords and tenants.”

Mr Carey said while many landlords had to reduce rent for tenants financially impacted by COVID-19 interstate, it wasn’t happening as often across Adelaide.

“Generally we’re just renewing at the same rent,” he said.

The report shows Adelaide’s median rent for houses increased 0.2 per cent to $410 per week, while the median for units dropped 0.2 per cent to $343 per week.

Turner Real Estate chief executive Emma Slape said city apartments were suffering most because there were fewer international students in the state, so landlords were being forced to reduce rents to get tenants in.

However, she said family homes in the sub $450 per week market were in strong demand and being rented quickly.

Rent values have fallen across most Australian capital cities, except Adelaide and Perth.

“A well placed, well presented family home will always attract strong interest,” she said.

With more people renewing their leases because of COVID-19, Ms Slape said there were fewer rental options available.

“We’re seeing a lot more activity in the renewal space,” she said.

“With that it means there are less people looking to move.”

Ms Slape said while Adelaide’s 0.1 per cent increase was only small, it showed just how stable the market was.

Adelaide’s rental yield also held relatively strong, dropping slightly from 4.45 per cent a year ago to 4.41 per cent to the end of June, the report shows.

Nationally, rent values dropped 0.5 per cent to a median of $441 per week.

CoreLogic Australian head of research Eliza Owen said closed international borders and job losses because of COVID-19 were impacting demand for rental properties across the country.

The post Rental values and demand climbing across most of Adelaide despite COVID-19 appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Skid the labradoodle — pictured with his owners Adrienne Baldwin, Julian Ramsey, Winnie and Rosie — is getting plenty of attention as the star of the family’s house selling campaign. Picture: David Caird

The sale of a West Footscray house has gone to the dogs — and the vendors couldn’t be happier.

Skid the labradoodle is lapping up loads of attention as the star of his owners’ campaign to sell the three-bedroom pad at 46 Pitt Street, with a $1-$1.1m price guide.

The striking dog features on the ‘for sale’ board out the front of the property, and in the online listing and promotional video.

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The family can’t walk Skid down the street without someone asking what breed he is. Picture: David Caird

The photo of Skid used to market the property.

Bond Estate Agents director Lee Marks said this had sparked a flurry of prospective buyers asking “if the dog comes with the sale of the home”.

The answer from owners Adrienne Baldwin and Julian Ramsey, and their kids, Winnie, 13, and Rosie, 11, is no.

But Ms Baldwin said they weren’t surprised their special pooch was having an impact in helping them collar a buyer.

The family adopted Skid shortly after moving into 46 Pitt Street, West Footscray.

Skid has loved running around in the home’s big backyard.

“In our local area, everyone knows the dog,” Ms Baldwin said.

“We can’t get down the street without people asking, ‘what sort of dog is that?’ My husband even made up the breed Hungarian muff hound (to tell people) as a joke.

“He’s very friendly, loves humans, and is so well trained.”

The couple adopted Skid about five years ago, a few months after buying the house, which they thoroughly renovated by restoring original 1920s charm and adding modern comforts.

The open-plan living and dining space features a period fireplace.

The modern kitchen.

Ms Baldwin said her husband, who worked in construction, had taken particular pride in his refurbishment of an original brick fireplace in the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area. This had become Skid’s favourite feature, along with the big backyard.

She said the “spacious” weatherboard also benefited from high ceilings and natural light, and its closeness to the sought-after Footscray West Primary School and the Essex Street dog park, where Skid regularly hung out with his sister, Hazel.

A cosy bedroom.

The renovated bathroom.

Ms Baldwin said the labradoodle was being rewarded for his help with the selling campaign by getting plenty of walks, as the family followed COVID-19 restrictions requiring sellers to vacate their homes during inspections by prospective buyers.

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samantha.landy@news.com.au

The post West Footscray: Labradoodle dog stars in selling campaign appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Basketballer Andrew Bogut is after a tenant for his Concord home.

Former NBA superstar Andrew Bogut and his wife Jessica have put their stunning Sydney bolthole up for rent after struggling to find a buyer.

The six-bedroom house in the inner west has been on the market since June with a rumoured $3.6 million price guide, but a private treaty campaign is yet to find a buyer.

While still listed for sale, the Concord home is available to rent from this Saturday for an undisclosed price.

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Andrew Bogut has been trying to sell the home since announcing he was leaving the Sydney Kings in May.

The couple are looking to sell or rent the home after Bogut announced in May he would not be re-signing with the Sydney Kings.

Nicole Labra of DIB CHIDIAC has been given the job of securing a tenant for the property, while her colleague Dib Chidiac continues to find a buyer. Concord currently has a 4.8 per cent vacancy rate, which is up from 3.7 per cent in February, according to SQM Research.

Bogut, whose stellar 15-year career includes winning the NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors, acquired the property in an off-market deal for $3.5 million in 2018.

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It has been designed for indoor and outdoor living.

There are five-bedrooms, including the main that has sweeping district views.

Described online as “a creative transformation of a character home”, the California bungalow has a four-car garage, swimming pool, teen retreat and is on 609sqm.

Architecturally designed and custom built, the property is full of high-end finishes and several indoor outdoor spaces. It features ducted airconditioning, an integrated sound system, video intercom and an alarm.

The marble kitchen is decked out with designer appliances, a breakfast bar and butler’s pantry. There are also four bedrooms on the ground floor that all have built-in wardrobes.

Bogut paid $3.5 million for the property in 2018.

The luxury kitchen has a butler’s pantry.

Upstairs is a dedicated parent’s retreat with the main bedroom having sweeping district views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Outside is a swimming pool that can be heated up to 38 degrees, level lawn and a path to the four-car garage. Above the garage is a teen retreat with a bathroom that could also be used as guest accommodation.

Property records reveal Bogut still owns a property in Melbourne at Bonbeach where he installed a basketball court.

Despite announcing he won’t be re-signing with the Sydney Kings, Fox Sports has reported Bogut is open to rejoining the NBL team after the coronavirus put his NBA plans on hold.

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The post Australian basketballer Andrew Bogut puts Sydney home up for rent after failing to sell it appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Optus director Nick Sone bought this Dover Heights mansion for more than $4.8m, sources say.

The State Director of Optus, Nick Sone, has snapped up a home in Dover Heights for more than $4.8m, sources say.

It’s the grand four-bedroom, three-bathroom home on a 676sq m block at 151 Dover Rd, owned by downsizing couple George and Anita Fisher, who paid $960,000 in 1989.

The deal was done by Biller Property principal Paul Biller on July 9, a day after the Wentworth Courier wrote an online story about Biller, and colleague Sunny Sun, clocking up $20m worth of sales in a week.

Biller was tight-lipped about the identity of the purchaser.

It’s understood Sone’s five-bedroom semi at 26 Avoca St, Bondi — bought for $1.15m in 2009 — is set to soon hit the market with Phillips Pantzer Donnelley’s Alexander Phillips.

Patience pays off

49 New Beach Rd, Darling Point, sold for well in excess of its $6.5m guide.

Some sales during COVID-19 are taking some time, but patience has finally paid off for the family of the late Bella Read, a former Miss Trinidad and Tobago Carvival Queen.

The April 15 auction of the six-bedroom, three-bathroom terrace with tandem garage parking for two cars at 49 New Beach Rd, Darling Point — via Daphne Sauvage and Michael Pallier of Sotheby’s, with Danny Doff of Laing and Simmons — had to be called off because of the government ban on public auctions. But the good news is that the property, with views of the harbour, bridge and city skyline, sold on Friday night ahead of the second scheduled auction — set for August 19 — and for well in excess of its $6.5m guide.

“We had a lot of interest in this one, particularly from offshore and especially Hong Kong,” says Sauvage.

“But in the end, it was a Darling Point local who got it.”

She admits COVID-19 had an impact because those offshore buyers couldn’t come and look at it.

“The minute we changed it to auction, it stimulated activity to such a point that there was competitive interest and we got an offer good enough to stop the process and we could sell it.”

Here’s a top reno

The renovation of architect Greg Crone’s home at 55A Carlotta Rd, Double Bay is only just finished.

There can be no safer bet than buying an architect’s own home — especially when the individual involved is the highly respected Crone Architects chief executive, Greg Crone.

He and his wife, Kate, are downsizing so their beautiful Double Bay property at 55A Carlotta Rd, is up for August 20 auction with a $7.25m price guide via Ray White Double Bay’s Richard Faludi and principal Elliott Placks.

And Crone, whose company’s recent projects, in conjunction with Tzannes, have included the upcoming 104-apartment Opera Residences at Circular Quay, has just completed a renovation of his own five-bedroom, five-bathroom Carlotta Rd residence with double garage and pool.

Said Faludi: “The buyer can be sure there’s not a cent to spend because the house has been renovated to the highest possible standard and he’s literally only just finished it.”

He added the response to the property appearing on realestate.com.au was “unbelievable”. “It went online on Thursday afternoon and within a 24-hour period we had over 50 email inquiries,” Faludi said.

Snappy purchase

One of the beautiful bathrooms at 51/74 Reservoir St, Surry Hills.

Also in buying mode was the founder of luxury lingerie and sex toy company Honey Birdette, Eloise Monaghan, and her wife Natalie, who snapped up a “penthouse oasis” before the first open home.

The couple, who only recently got married, are understood to have fallen in love with the three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at 51/74 Reservoir St, Surry Hills.

They paid $3,025,0000.

Oxford Real Estate’s Matt Marano had been guiding $2.6m.

“I just listed it and they said ‘we’ll buy it,” Marano told Insider.

“They were about to buy something else.”

Vaucluse stunner

31 Olola Ave, Vaucluse, has a guide of $6m ahead of an August 22 auction.

The incredible Vaucluse home of music industry entrepreneur Pete Lusty — who passed away in March after a battle with cancer — has hit the market with a $6m guide.

Lusty, who was the co-founder of the independent music company Ivy League Records and management company Winterman & Goldstein, guided rock bands such as The Vines, Jet and Empire of the Sun.

Property records show he and his wife, Georgia Day, bought the five-bedroom, four-bathroom Olola House at 31 Olola Ave on a 1168sq m block — opposite Vaucluse House — for $4.45m in 2015.

It’s now listed with Sotheby’s International managing director, Michael Pallier — who sold them the house — for August 22 auction.

And finally …

The home of Chadwicks model Jennifer White at 356 Edgecliff Road, Woollahra, was the top sale in the country at the weekend.

In other general news, the Woollahra home of Chadwicks model and White Co director Jennifer White sold for $8.1m at auction — the highest auction price in the country — on Saturday through The Agency’s Ben Collier; the buyer of Fred Bart’s Bellevue Hill mansion sold for “well over” $21m via LJ Hooker Double Bay’s Bill Malouf was revealed as property developer Willi Phillips.

And White City coach Steve Loeffler — who appeared in the Wentworth Courier last week — sold for $2.36m on Saturday via Ray White Unlimited’s Ron Bauer. The guide had been $2.3m.

The post Optus State Director Nick Sone snaps up Dover Heights mansion appeared first on realestate.com.au.

With overseas travel off the cards for the foreseeable future, real estate agents are reporting a surge in demand for holiday homes on the Gold Coast.

Buyers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are leading the way with inquiries on beachside apartments in popular suburbs, with many buying sight unseen.

To help narrow down the search, here are five properties attracting attention among those in the market for a Gold Coast getaway.

16/173 Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach

16/173 Old Burleigh Rd, Broadbeach

Gold Coast-based ENT specialist surgeon Dr Dan Robinson is reluctantly selling a three-bedroom apartment in the residential only Verve.

The majority of the 56 apartments are holiday homes with easy access to the beach, the Broadbeach dining precinct and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

Mr Stafford said the size and location of the apartment held major appeal.

“It’s one block from Oracle with all the dining and facilities of Oasis,” he said.

“There’s over 180 sqm of liveable space and it’s got the north eastern aspect as well.”

The apartment will be auctioned online and in-rooms this Thursday at 6pm.

1303/13 Garfield Terrace, Surfers Paradise.

1303/13 Garfield Terrace, Surfers Paradise

With almost 14,000 online lookers, this deceased estate has been among the top 10 most-viewed properties in Queensland on realestate.com.au for three weeks running.

Occupying the full 13th floor inside the popular Beaches residents only building, it’s the first time the residence has been put to market in 23 years.

“The building has a such a good reputation and very few apartments come up, particularly full floor ones,” said Kollosche agent Rob Lamb, who is marketing the property for $2.299m-$2.25m.

118/685 Casuarina Way, Casuarina

118/685 Casuarina Way, Casuarina

Carol Witheriff, of LH Hooker Kingscliff, reports a surge in sales in Cotton Beach Residences, Casuarina where more than $7 million has changed hands in recent months.

“Cotton Beach is the only beachfront complex in our region that has double council zoning,” she said.

“You can live in these apartments or you can let them out for holiday or permanent let so you’ve got a lot of options,” she said.

The renovated penthouse with ocean views from the rooftop deck is currently on the market for $1.495 – $1.565 million.

“We’re seeing interest from down south and quite a few from New Zealand because it is beachfront, quiet and well maintained,” Mrs Witheriff said.

1322/27-37 Bells Blvd, Kingscliff

1322/27-37 Bells Blvd, Kingscliff

The Bale Penthouse is the gem of the boutique Bale wing inside Peppers Resort & Spa at Salt Village in Kingscliff.

The Bale complex has only 41 private luxury apartments and occupies one of only two absolute beachfront locations in Kingscliff.

The rooftop terrace affords spectacular views along the Tweed Coast to Cape Byron lighthouse and west to Mount Warning.

“This apartment itself would undoubtably have the largest total floor area of any absolute beachfront penthouse on the entire Tweed Coast,” said LJ Hooker Kingscliff agent Erin Nielsen who is leading the expressions of interest campaign.

“It has a consistently high occupancy rate including Hollywood A-List clientele.”

2435/9 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise

2435/9 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise

Holiday-makers will feel on top of the world inside this sky high apartment in the iconic Circle on Cavill complex.

Located on level 43, the super tall tower affords views of the ocean, river and city lights.

Shops, entertainment and sand are all on the doorstep while onsite facilities include a lagoon-style pool, lap pool with spa, indoor heated pool, gym, sauna and steam rooms.

The property will be auctioned on Thursday at 11am through Ray White – Surfers Paradise.

The post Swap an overseas trip for a Gold Coast holiday home appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

Now I know what one actually is, who wouldn’t want to live in a home with its own mud room?

I must confess that before learning more about Statesman Homes’ stunning Virginia Alfresco Mark 2 split design, I had only a murky idea about the whole “mud room” concept – but I’m happy to agree now that it’s a winner.

What’s not to love about having a separate room which allows you the chance to shake off the dirt of the day before entering the home proper? And when you’ve got a house as attractive as this one, you certainly won’t want to be messing it up …

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

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Providing access to the house directly from the garage, the Virginia Alfresco’s mud room can also allow school bags and sports equipment to be stored away before entering the home’s vast open-plan living and dining zone.

It’s high among a raft of features Statesman design director Ruth Vagnarelli likes about the four-bedroom home – presently on show in Mount Barker’s Clover Park estate – which has been created with families in mind.

“I wish I’d had a mud room when my kids were young,” she says.

“I would have loved a spot to quarantine the muddy footy boots and a drop zone for the school bags, ideally located next to the garage and casual living area.”

The highlights of the home continue far beyond the mud room entrance however, with a flexible floorplan offering plenty of dedicated areas to stretch out in your own space.

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

The front of the home is an apartment-style parent’s retreat with an expansive master bedroom opposite a luxurious and versatile home theatre. Clever design details include timber look wall cladding, which adds subtle texture to the bedroom and a built-in entertainment unit in the home theatre for seamless elegance.

The contemporary streamlined kitchen and generous butler’s pantry have been designed for maximum efficiency. Offering an easy connection to the outdoor barbecue area, the space is well suited to cater for anything from low-key gatherings to larger parties.

Hard-wearing finishes in warm neutral tones are stain, heat and water-resistant and family-friendly throughout. And with three large bedrooms at the rear of the home, guests and children alike have dedicated zones for downtime.

“This home is designed to suit growing families or families with teenagers needing space to spread out,” Ruth says.

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

“It is also a home built for entertainers. The separate home theatre at the front, while the huge causal living area that opens on to an undercover alfresco is perfect for family get-togethers – and is ideal for families who like to enjoy outdoor living all year round.

“The large central kitchen ensures the cook can participate in family life and there is a large butler’s pantry to hide the mess away.

“The master offers a touch of luxury with a ‘his and hers’ walk-in robe and spacious ensuite. The three secondary bedrooms, two with walk-in robes, are conveniently located off a rear passage way. The handy three-way bathroom cuts the morning rush down allowing three functions at once.”

Suitable for a 17m by 30m allotment with a garage boundary build, the home has a contemporary country feel with a large gable and a mix of brick and render in earthy tones.

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

“The Virginia Alfresco Mark 2 Split is a really popular design and this is a modified version designed for blocks with some slope,” Ruth says.

With quality fixtures and fittings throughout, the interior style boasts a warm, modern aesthetic that lends itself to earthy, natural textures.

Light timber-look floorboards work well with wooden-style laminate in the kitchen joinery and warm white walls create the perfect palette to add pops of accent colour, while the natural pendants provide added texture and interest.

This home has an upgraded Essastone benchtop in the kitchen, upgraded joinery laminates throughout the home, upgraded timber laminate and carpet, and a built-in entertainment unit. There is also upgraded wet area tiling, sanitary ware, a glass splashback, butler’s pantry, and open feature shelving compartments to the vanities and laundry.

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

The Virginia Alfresco Split MK2 on display at Mt Barker. Photo: Nick Clayton.

The design’s dedicated zones are the key to practical family living – and the fact the living areas are spacious means families have plenty of room to spread out in.

“This is important especially in this COVID-19 era when many families are spending more time at home,” Ruth says.

Storage has also been cleverly incorporated throughout the Virginia Alfresco.

“Great storage throughout means there is no excuse to be messy in this home,” Ruth says. “The master suite has a “his and hers” robe, there’s a large walk-in-pantry, a linen cupboard opposite the laundry and beds two and three have their own walk-in robes.”

And as much as she appreciates the mud room, Ruth says it’s not her overall highlight of the design.

“I love the way the family and meals areas opens out on to the alfresco and the kitchen is located in a way that the cook can be part of the action,” she says. “But my favourite area is the luxurious master bedroom with so much storage for my clothes and a beautiful ensuite, which would be a lovely place to linger.

“I really think this home would be a joy to live in – it’s bright and airy and flooded with natural light.”

The post Statesman Homes’ Virginia Alfresco proves a home for happy ever after appeared first on realestate.com.au.

85 – 89 Collins Street, Hobart. Picture: SUPPLIED

THE most exciting, potential-packed commercial leasing opportunity in Hobart right now would have to be the FitzGerald’s Building in Collins Street.

This large site has been fully refurbished to present an A-grade, mixed use building in the heart of the CBD.

An opportunity exists for office, retail and medical tenants for the lease of the ground and first floors, which until recently housed the Harris Scarfe department store.

Historically, Collins Street was home to Tasmanian business FitzGerald’s wholesale business dating back to the mid 1880s.

Superb location.

A retail destination.

With large, open floor plates of 1493sqm on the ground floor and 1734sqm on Level 1, the space can accommodate a number of large format uses up to a total of 3227sqm or be split into smaller areas to suit.

Silverleaf state manager Greg Radin said this property presents “an exciting opportunity for us to introduce some new retailers” to the people of Hobart reinforcing the reputation of The Cat & Fiddle Arcade as Tasmania’s premier shopping destination.

“We’re currently in discussions with a number of national and international retail brands for the space and hope to announce some exciting news shortly.

Architectural office space.

A-grade refurbishment.

“The flexibility of this site is paramount, with opportunities not only for retail but also for office tenants seeking arguably the best presented A-grade space in the city, with premium quality finishes and fantastic natural light, all of which are key to providing a quality workplace environment to attract and retain the best available staff.”

With frontage to Collins Street at ground level, internally into the Cat & Fiddle Arcade and to Level 1 via a modern dual lift lobby, any number of potential tenant uses can be satisfied.

The property is surrounded by high profile retail tenants including H&M, Target and JB Hi-Fi.

Levels 2 and 3 are fully leased to professional office and medical tenants.

The central CBD location offers multiple public carparking options.

No.85-87 Collins Street, Hobart is available to lease, for details contact Silverleaf Investments.

The post Collins Street refurbished historic CBD mixed used building appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Jockey Sam Clipperton is selling in Kingsford. (AAP Image/Simon Bullard)

Leading jockey Sam Clipperton has listed his Kingsford investment apartment for auction.

N.G. Farah agent Joe Recep has scheduled an ­August 15 auction with an $875,000 price guide.

The 90sqm Houston Rd apartment, now near the new light rail, was bought in 2015, after which the apartment was refurbished.

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Clipperton bought the unit in 2015. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)

It is in a block of 11.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment comes with three balconies on the first floor of an early 1970s block of 11 units sold off by Effie Holdings’s Michael Callaghan.

The unit became a $700 a week rental while Clipperton was based in Hong Kong, but he’s now happily based in Rose Bay with his partner Morgan.

It’s a $700 a week rental.

The unit is on the first floor.

They spent $1.9 million on a three bedroom townhouse last year.

The 26-year-old jockey, whose most recent major win was on Destiny’s Kiss in the Winter Cup, rode Centimental to finish fourth in the controversial first race at Rosehill on Saturday.

The post Jockey Sam Clipperton puts Kingsford apartment up for auction appeared first on realestate.com.au.

No. 2029 Pittwater Rd at Bayview is for sale via private treaty.

An architectural masterpiece in one of the most tightly held spots on the northern beaches is up for sale.

The 1296sqm property on Pittwater Rd at Bayview has spectacular 180 degree views to Lion Island and Pittwater.

On the market for the first time in five years, 2029 Pittwater Rd has a $5.5 million price guide and is for sale via private treaty.

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The infinity pool sits above three water tanks.

A sale for this amount would see the residence claim the highest recorded result in Bayview this year, according to CoreLogic. The listing also comes at a time when Bayview has seen the median sale price surge 8.3 per cent to $1.95 million in the 12 months to July.

The three-storey residence was constructed more than 10 years ago and features clean contemporary lines and bespoke finishes. The epic infinity pool perched on the second floor and the three-storey foyer with a suspended staircase are bound to stun buyers.

The top floor is dedicated to living and entertaining.

The kitchen has Miele appliances.

Majority of rooms including the five bedrooms have been positioned to capture those prized water views. All bedrooms have a private ensuite with a shower/bath or a shared interconnecting bathroom.

The chic kitchen is equipped with a window splashback, breakfast bar, gas cooking and a number of Miele appliances. This is located at the edge of a large family and dining room that is surrounded by three outdoor entertainment areas.

There are multiple outdoor entertaining spaces.

The entry level has a pool table and bar.

Features that you expect to find in a luxury Sydney home can be found at this property, including a gym, wine cellar, games room and manicured gardens.

McGrath Avalon principal James Baker and agent Sam Thompson have been tasked to sell the property via private treaty. A mixture of locals looking to upsize, as well as buyers from the north shore and eastern suburbs are expected to show interest.

Property records reveal the property last traded in September 2015 for $4.4 million.

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The post Designer Bayview home with epic views and stunning infinity pool is for sale appeared first on realestate.com.au.