Blog

Pumpkin Island hit the market on Thursday for the first time in 17 years with a price tag of $25m.

A renowned island has hit the market for just the second time since 1961, with an optional oyster licence so guests can shuck to their hearts’ content fresh off the rocks.

MORE: Meet the newest millionaire suburbs

This is Brisbane’s House of the Year

Quarantine reno sells in just 15 minutes

Stunning scenery across the island.

There are two oceanfront bungalows and five self-contained guest cottages.

Pumpkin Island hit the market on Thursday for the first time in 17 years with a price tag of $25m. Two years ago it was named Australia’s most sustainable hotel at the World Boutique Hotel Awards, and became the first to offset 150 per cent of its annual greenhouse gas emissions, according to agents Pat O’Driscoll and Deborah Cullen of Knight Frank Australia – Sydney.

The island comes with a 36-passenger boat.

There is a licensed bar and lounge as well.

“Incredibly, this is only the second time Pumpkin Island has come to the market and the second time since 1961, with the last sale being in 2003,” was how they described it.

The island in The Keppels, is 20 minutes by boat from the famous Great Keppel Island, both located off the coast of Yeppoon on the Capricorn Coast in Central Queensland.

It was described as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

Breathtaking spot to get away from it all.

According to Knight Frank, the oyster lease belongs to the owner and “can be sold with the island allowing guests to shuck their own oysters off the rocks”.

The island comes with a boutique eco-tourist resort that can take 34 guests, with five self-contained cottages, two oceanfront bungalows, staff quarters, a manager’s cottage, double storey lookout building, and a licensed bar and lounge function venue.

The resort opened to guests in 1964, and comes with a children’s playground, two registered moorings, a helicopter landing pad and a custom-built 36-passenger boat.

FOLLOW SOPHIE FOSTER ON FACEBOOK

The post Own your own award-winning island, oyster shucking optional appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The former Trentham Commercial Hotel at 51 High St, Trentham has sold.

A former Trentham hotel chock-full of oddities has been sold — and the buyer has foregone an offer to have their pick.

It comes as sales in the Daylesford region have tripled as Melburnians look to retreat from the big smoke, according to the agency behind the deal.

From a bumper car built in the ‘70s, to antique pharmacy display cabinets and a mechanised piano player rescued from a shooting gallery in Queensland, the old Commercial Hotel at 51 High Street has had some unusual guests in recent years.

RELATED: Trentham Commercial Hotel sellers to throw in drinking buddy

Regional towns topping Victorian wishlists revealed by new data

More Victorians set to make a sea or tree change post-coronavirus

Despite the $1.523 million sale being on the high side of the property’s $1.45-$1.595 million asking price and owners Slaven and Jean Berglez offering to throw in some items, a lot of their collection is still up for grabs.

“The buyer has not asked for any of the items,” Ms Berglez said.

Slaven and Jean Berglez with some of the oddities they have collected. Picture: Alex Coppel

With a sea-change ahead of them, the pair are open to offers on many of the items including John, the mechanised piano player, and an old meat safe, via their Wooden Duck page on Facebook — though they are pulling a few items from the sales list.

“Slaven wants to keep the telephone box,” she added.

Photos throughout the hotel show the extent of the Berglez’s collection.

The pair said they would miss all the great stories locals used to share with them about the hotel and the town’s past, but said they intended to extend happy hour at their next residence to compensate.

In addition to enjoying stories from the locals, the new owner plans to turn the local landmark into a sprawling family home, according to Belle Property Hocking Stuart’s Will Walton.

The main street view from the hotel’s upstairs balcony is one of the best in town.

“We believe it will be a family home,” Mr Walton said.

“They are originally from Melbourne, but had been living locally and I understand they love the building.”

He said the buyers had emerged with immediate interest for the former hotel and made an offer well above those being discussed by three other parties.

Even the one-time hotel’s kitchen features a range of unusual items.

Mr Walton said the hotel’s sale had been the first in a surge in sales for the region.

“Normally we do 8-10 sales a month,” Mr Walton said.

“We expect to get to 24 this month — and that’s almost all Melbourne buyers.”

He said feedback from buyers had revealed a mix of thinking, from wanting to put the city’s higher exposure to COVID-19 behind them to appreciating the benefits of country life in anticipation of working more from home in the future.

The hotel also retains many period details including decorative ceilings.

MORE: Jane Turner: Kath & Kim star pulls Elwood mansion from market

Keilor East mansion sold after 600 days on the market

Crossways Historic Country Inn, Marysville lolly shop site for sale

The post Trentham Commercial Hotel: Old pub sold, oddities remain for sale appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Celebrity stylist Joh Bailey has sold his Bowral property.

Wide Acre, the Southern Highlands retreat of the ­celebrity hair stylist Joh ­Bailey and his professional equestrian partner Michael Christie, has found its next owner in just five days.

The 12ha High Range property attracted a bidding war between prospective buyers after the Belle Property Bowral listing agent Di Dixon held 20 inspections in just four days.

MORE: Horse racing legacy to continue at famous equine estate

Food and beverage boss lists inner west stunner

Insta model’s first buy in Bondi

The property was extremely popular.

It sold for around $3.5 million.

“The phones were running hot from the second the property was listed,” Dixon said.

“I fielded over 140 email and phone call inquires, some as far flung as ­Singapore.”

Dixon apparently sec­ured around $3.5 million.

Bailey, who opened a salon in Bowral back in 2015, said the quick sale wasn’t foreseen.

“I was so thrilled with the five-day turnaround on the property,” Bailey told me.

“I really didn’t expect it in this climate.”

Bailey was thrilled with the sale. Picture: John Appleyard

It was bought by Bailey and his partner in 2016.

Dixon sold the property to Bailey four years ago.

“It was perfect for their horses and their lifestyle,” Dixon said, but now the ­couple were trading up for more space for themselves and for their 20 horses.

They bought it for $2.05 million in 2016 having previously had an estate at The Oaks. The couple renovated every aspect at Wide Acre, with even the horses kept in designer digs.

It’s easy to see why it was so popular.

They added a five box ­stable barn, six paddocks and a round yard.

They had planned to get married at the property in mid-March, however had to cancel due to the announcement of COVID-19 social distancing restrictions.

The post Celebrity hair stylist Joh ­Bailey sells Bowral retreat in five days appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Model Casey James has bought in Bondi. Picture: Instagram caseyjamess_

“Winter swims are my favourite,” bikini model Casey James advised her 216,000 Instagram followers during the week.

Some 36,000 quickly liked the ­social media posting which came with a selfie set on Mona Vale beach during what’s seemingly been an ­unseasonably sunny July.

But it looks like the 22-year-old northern beaches loving model will soon be hitting Bondi Beach a bit more as she has splashed out on her first home.

MORE: Horse racing legacy to continue at famous equine estate

Food and beverage boss lists inner west stunner

The unit has 65sqm of space.

View this post on Instagram

Byron you have my heart ❤️

A post shared by Casey James (@caseyjamess_) on Jul 20, 2020 at 4:14am PDT

The model, who is with the Chic Management agency with fashion shoots for Lorna James and Cotton On, spent $1.025 million on an two-bedroom, one-bathroom Art Deco apartment.

Located just around the corner from Seven Ways’ newly rejuvenated boutique retail precinct, the unit is on the top floor of a 1930s block of eight.

The 65sqm apartment comes with high ornate ceilings, decorative joinery and polished floorboards, with a sunny window seat. It comes with luxurious bathroom with Kaldewei bath amid honed marble hexagon mosaic tiles.

It is in a block of eight.

View this post on Instagram

Celebrating big things 🏡💥

A post shared by Casey James (@caseyjamess_) on Jul 19, 2020 at 2:08am PDT

It last traded at $925,000 in 2015, reflecting just an ordinary 2 per cent annual appreciation rate achieved through the Phillips Pantzer Donnelley agency.

Bondi Beach currently has 42 properties for sale, and 226 properties for rent, as the Airbnb COVID-19 ­crisis is still creating income distress for some landlords.

It was 277 rental properties available in early April, and 337 by late April.

Based on a moving five years of sales, Bondi Beach had a bullish compound price growth in of 7.9 per cent for units, according to realestate.com.au in late March. That is down to 6.5 per cent.

It last sold for $925,000 in 2015.

Bright interiors.

The median two bedroom price sits at $1,215,000. Some 160 units sold last year, which was down on 2018 when 170 units sold. The busiest years of 2012 to 2014 saw turnover just short of 300 sales.

It appears the Avalon-based James bought especially well, and at under vendor expectations, as she had a smart property adviser guide her through the recent post-auction negotiations. Her boyfriend is Warren Ginsberg, the Ray White Double Bay associate director who is ranked the Ray White network’s second highest salesperson in NSW.

The post Model Casey James buys two-bedroom apartment in Bondi appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Now here’s a property where you can horse around to your heart’s content.

Set in Perth’s Swan Valley next to popular Mandoon Estate, this expansive equestrian estate in Caversham holds a prime riverfront position and is steeped in history, retaining the original equine veterinary clinic and horse operating theatre dating back to 1829.

Dubbed “Mandalay”, the 11ha property includes a veterinary clinic lease area that was inspired by the local vet, Sid Richards, who was the original owner of the estate.

The stone from the original homestead has been preserved in the contemporary home. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

Selling agent Kelly Jones, from Jones and Co Property, said the old stable block, operating theatre and stone from the original 1800s homestead had been preserved.

“The original house was built around 1829 and the original stone from that house has been retained and a large plaque has been built commemorating the original building,” Ms Jones said.

“It’s a fairly modern architecturally designed home now, but the original stonework from the first home has been preserved in order to showcase the level of history.”

Constructed in 2002, the contemporary five-bedroom, three-bathroom residence spans 364sqm of living space, as well as 25sqm of terracing.

Historical equestrian home

Tucked away in a private riverfront setting, the home is a true haven. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

The stone from the original homestead has been preserved in the contemporary home. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

The modern home includes character from the past. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

The stunning cathedral-style ceilings give the home a sense of grandeur. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

Large windows create an even bigger sense of space in the home. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

The wood-fire oven is standout in the entertainer’s dream kitchen. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

It includes multiple living areas, striking cathedral-style ceilings, ducted and zoned reverse-cycle air-conditioning, a security alarm, audio intercom system and feature lighting.

Entertainers will delight in a second kitchen with an ice machine, two Vintec drinks fridges, a Luus barbecue and a wood-fired pizza oven, as well as a 25m solar-heated swimming pool.

In addition to the main house, there is a two-bedroom unit with external laundry, a gym, study nook and an open-plan living/meals area.

There are also four olive trees, believed to be almost 200-years-old, and two rural water licences on the property.

Data shows the property last sold for $4 million in 2015. Ms Jones is taking offers from $5 million.

The post Equestrian property in Swan Valley a historical haven appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Artist and designer Ian Blokkeerus with his colourful and varied collection. Picture: Rob Leeson

One of Melbourne’s most exclusive exhibitions is closing its doors for the final time.

After being transformed into a private art gallery by vendor Ian Blokkeerus, 2 Gladhall Ave, Thornbury, has sold to a local woman for $1.45 million.

The property, which sold on July 10, had a price guide of $1.35-$1.45 million.

RELATED: Designer lists Thornbury art gallery house with eccentric decor

Crossways Historic Country Inn, Marysville lolly shop site for sale

Melbourne suburbs where prices still rising amid coronavirus: REIV

Artist and designer Ian Blokkeerus decided he wanted to live in an art gallery, so he transformed the property. Picture: Rob Leeson

Wall space is at a premium in the hallway. Picture: Rob Leeson

Nelson Alexander Northcote agent Tom Alexiadis said an acceptable offer came in ahead of the scheduled auction.

“(Ian) had the right offer and he liked the buyer, she’s a really nice person,” Mr Alexiadis said.

“She loved the space, I think it was the space that got her — having the garage and studio. She’s got an enviro(nmental) background so she’s going to set up a garden.”

Artist and designer Ian Blokkeerus will auction off much of his collection. Picture: Rob Leeson

A nativity scene in Mr Blokkeerus’ favourite room. Picture: Rob Leeson

A vintage petrol bowser and formal skeleton in a dining space.

Everything was up for grabs, but the buyer did not elect to purchase any of the decor.

The house sale was just the first of many for Mr Blokkeerus, who plans to auction off most of his art installations as he opts for a “minimalist” look at his next home.

Among the art works on display at his Thornbury home were a huge “monster” he created out of recycled materials in the backyard, statues playing out a nativity scene in the bedroom (his favourite room) and a pair of kissing dragons.

The kaleidoscopic studio space features vintage toys.

More of the collection on display.

The local buyer plans to expand the garden.

There’s also a vintage petrol bowser and jukebox, paintings adorning every wall and a large collection of vintage toys.

Mr Blokkeerus said the 4.5m-tall monster he created in the backyard was “well known around the area”.

“I like to surround myself with interesting and kooky stuff,” the artist and designer said.

A palm tree lampshade brings the tropics inside.

Christmas in July.

READ MORE: Melbourne CBD high rises: International tensions a problem

Melbourne apartment sector dominated by investors

Ben Stratton: Hawthorn captain’s Fitzroy house misses mark

jack.boronovskis@news.com.au

@jackboronovskis

The post Thornbury: Designer sells art gallery house before auction appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The Nairne property at 8 Pulleine Road is going to auction next month. Pic: realestate.com.au

An Adelaide Hills character cottage is offering househunters the chance to own one of the oldest inhabited homes in Nairne.

The two-storey state heritage listed house at 8 Pulleine Road, affectionately known as Elmdale, was built in circa 1851 and extended in the late 1930s.

While the exact date of its construction is unknown, documents from the state heritage department say it is “the oldest house in Nairne still being lived in”.

It was presumed to be built when George Mills purchased the property in August 1851.

Harcourts Adelaide Hills agent Sharon Reeves is selling the 0.77ha estate, which she described as “quite special”.

MORE NEWS

Rundown home attracts bidders in droves

The ultimate beachside retreat

Where houses are spending the least and most time on the market

State heritage documents say it is the oldest house in Nairne. Pic: realestate.com.au

It was built in circa 1851 and extended in the late 1930s. Pic: realestate.com.au

She said it offered the perfect opportunity for a new owner to restore it to its former glory.

“The two inspections (so far) have been very positive, especially for those looking for a project,” she said.

“The young couples looking at this style of property, they’re looking for a place to do up.”

The two-bedroom house includes two buildings that are linked by a glass-roofed conservatory.

A bedroom, study, lounge room and dining area are at the front of the house, while a kitchen, laundry, bathroom and wet room are at the back.

Upstairs is dedicated to a second bedroom with a dressing room and balcony.

The property also includes several outbuildings and plenty of space for horses.

The glass-roofed conservatory links two buildings. Pic: realestate.com.au

Its character has been retained over the years. Pic: realestate.com.au

The bathroom was part of the extension. Pic: realestate.com.au

“It’s quite unique because it’s got existing use rights for three horses,” Ms Reeves said.

“It’s normally one horse per seven acres (in that zone).”

Ms Reeves said the property was in an enviable location because it was close to the Nairne township and dirt tracks ideal for horse riding.

“It’s on the cusp of a residential and rural zone,” she said.

The property will go to auction on August 1 at noon.

The post One of the oldest inhabited houses in Adelaide Hills township of Nairne going to auction appeared first on realestate.com.au.

This six-bedroom, five-bedroom house at 34 Mareeba Rd, Ashgrove, is for sale. Ashgrove is one of Brisbane’s million-dollar suburbs.

BRISBANE’S elite million-dollar club is growing despite the nation’s housing market being in the grip of an economic recession and a global pandemic.

New data from Realestate.com.au shows a number of significant sales over the past 12 months propelled seven suburbs into the exclusive price threshold, with the city now boasting 23 suburbs with a median house price of $1 million or more — up from 16 a year ago.

Bardon and Grange are newcomers to the club for the first time on record, and only one suburb dropped off the list — Balmoral, with its median house price slipping from $1.07 million in fiscal 2019 to $882,500 in fiscal 2020.

This five-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 6 Currell Circuit, Samford Valley, is for sale.

One of the more unlikely suburbs to become one of Brisbane’s newest million-dollar hot spots is Samford Valley, with its median house price jumping from $922,500 to $1.1 million in the past 12 months.

For the price of some three-bedroom units in the Sydney CBD, you can buy a sprawling acreage estate in the suburb, which is about 20km southeast of Brisbane’s CBD.

Clayfield and Ashgrove, in the city’s north, Fig Tree Pocket in the west, and West End, in the inner south, are also new additions to Brisbane’s million-dollar club in the past 12 months.

This property at 17 Castlewood Court, Samford Valley, recently sold for $1.21m.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said that while more suburbs had entered the million-dollar club over the past 12 months than had fallen out, there were still opportunities to buy into one of those suburbs for six figures.

“It’s still possible to buy into premium suburbs for under $1 million in Brisbane, unlike Sydney or Melbourne where that price tag doesn’t necessarily get you into an expensive suburb,” Ms Conisbee said.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee. Image: AAP/Monique Harmer.

Ms Conisbee said house prices were largely steady despite the market conditions because they were being supported by stimulus measures, a stable banking system, mortgage payment freezes and relative confidence among buyers.

“The premium property market has been one of the most stable property markets during the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

“This is likely due to the strong momentum leading into the shutdowns, and because highly paid sectors haven’t seen widespread unemployment yet.”

This house at 29 Dublin St, Clayfield, has just hit the market.

Georgie Haug of Belle Property Samford said she was not surprised Samford Valley house prices were seven figures.

Ms Haug said buyer inquiries were up 40 per cent, with a growing number of families seeing the value in lifestyle properties in the suburb.

“I sold two properties by walking around the property and chatting on FaceTime to Sydney buyers,” Ms Haug said.

“The only buyers in Australia who have the perception that Samford is ‘too far out’ are Brisbane residents. You can’t move 7km out of Sydney in comparison.”

She said double the amount of buyers were now looking to work from home or part-time.

Ms Haug just sold a property in Samford Valley for $1.285 million to a couple with two young kids.

The new buyer, Estelle Breslin, said she could not comprehend living anywhere else after experiencing the lifestyle Samford has to offer.

“It just feels like home,” Ms Breslin said.

“Everyone knows your name and your kids’ names.

“It’s just so beautiful and everyone is so friendly compared to in the city.

“Also, no one’s in a rush. There’s time to say hello and everyone out here is very relaxed.”

This four-bedroom, three-bathroom house at 18 Lorward Ave, Bardon, recently sold for $1.06m.

BRISBANE’S NEWEST MILLION-DOLLAR CLUB SUBURBS

Suburb Median house price FY19 Median house price FY20

Samford Valley $922,500 $1,100,000

Bardon $917,500 $1,010,000

West End $955,000 $1,050,000

Fig Tree Pocket $960,000 $1,170,000

Ashgrove $960,000 $1,030,000

Clayfield $925,000 $1,092,500

Grange $910,000 $1,123,500

(Source: Realestate.com.au. Data is for the 12-month median price for houses, based on at least 30 sales in a suburb)

The post Meet Brisbane’s newest million-dollar suburbs appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Jane Turner has pulled her Elwood property from the market.

The selling campaign for Jane Turner’s Elwood mansion is O-V-A-H, with the Kath & Kim star and co-creator pulling the property from the market to keep it.

Turner — who starred as Kath Day-Knight alongside Gina Riley’s Kim Craig in the classic comedy — listed the five-bedroom residence in late May.

Tiuna’s $7.3-$8m price guide would have seen it break the seaside suburb’s house price record, which was set at about $6.8m by The Block expert Frank Valentic’s Art Deco abode earlier this month.

RELATED: Kath & Kim star Jane Turner lists very noice Elwood mansion

The Block expert sets Elwood house price record

Asher Keddie, Vincent Fantauzzo sell Elwood home

It’s a long way from Fountain Lakes.

Elegant style too good to part with.

But Chisholm & Gamon director Sam Gamon said despite Turner’s 1884-built home receiving “high-level offers” from parties across the country, she and her husband, John Denton, had decided to scrap the sale.

“The owners have decided they will move back in,” he said.

“They’re certainly in love with the home, so they just decided they wanted to keep it, and we respect their decision.”

Mr Gamon said during the property’s seven weeks on the market, he received inquiries from prospective buyers based in ritzy Melbourne suburbs Albert Park, Toorak and Brighton, and further afield in New South Wales and Queensland.

Its substantial 1079sq m landholding, featuring a pool and manicured gardens, and “the irreplaceable Victorian facade” were the major drawcards.

The pool was a major drawcard.

A cosy personal library.

Plenty of space for avid readers.

Turner, an Order of Australia recipient and Logie Award winner, has owned Tiuna since 1997. CoreLogic records show it changed hands for $802,500 then.

In the early 2000s, the actor, comedian and writer engaged acclaimed architecture firm Jackson Clements Burrows to connect the original part of the house to old stables at the rear, via a modern extension with soaring timber ceilings.

Soaring high ceilings create a grand space to entertain in.

Very noice.

Private charmer.

Jane Turner is holding on to her sophisticated Elwood base. Picture: Jo Duck

The listing — which Chisholm & Gamon shared with Fredman Property Group — followed Turner’s move overseas with her husband, who became the first Australian secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce in 2018.

One of five bedrooms.

Timber features heavily in the open-plan dining area.

Period charm.

MORE: Keilor East mansion sold after 600 days on the market

Unliveable Kingsville house attracts fierce bidding from renovators

Joseph Reed: Brighton house designed by architect for sale

samantha.landy@news.com.au

The post Jane Turner: Kath & Kim star pulls Elwood mansion from market appeared first on realestate.com.au.