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A mid-century gem once home to one of Australia’s leading post-war architects has hit the market in incredible original condition.

The Ernest Fooks 1964 creation at 32 Howitt Road, Caulfield North is for sale with a $4-$4.4m price guide.

Gary Peer Caulfield director Phillip Kingston said the three-bedroom property was built for Dr Fooks and his wife Noemi, who immigrated from Austria, via Canada, before World War II.

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32 Howitt Road, Caulfield North is for sale.

A curved ceiling in the living room is one of the most impressive features.

He said Fooks House had been the ultimate party pad for the couple, who owned the property until 2013.

“They never had children, so it was a home where they entertained in a huge way,” Mr Kingston said.

“Their time was spent was having friends over to this house and celebrating life.”

Dr Ernest Fooks created the house for himself and wife Noemi.

Original features remain completely intact.

Retro finishes include a colourful living room bar, curved wooden ceiling and bespoke brickwork both inside and outside the home.

Mr Kingston also noted a Japanese influence in the design, including its landscaped gardens and sliding doors.

“This is a visionary creation,” he said.

“Most modern interior designers and architects would kill to be able to create something like this.”

The ultimate bar for a house party.

A large central living room.

A pool in the large backyard adds extra appeal.

The 1092sq m block includes a large pool and is on one of Caulfield North’s most prestigious streets, he added.

Ms Fooks successfully secured National Trust heritage protection for the house in 2002, before she died a decade later aged 103.

In a Beaumaris Modern video by Trace Films, Ms Fooks said the house had always caught the attention of architecture enthusiasts.

The property is on one of Caulfield North’s best streets.

It’s for sale with a $4-$4.4m price guide.

“There is no maintenance required for this house,” Ms Fooks said.

“People think I’m crazy to live in such a big house on my own, but no work needs to be done.

“Every room has a function and access to the garden.”

It previously sold for $2.41m in 2013, according to CoreLogic.

An outdoor area near the pool.

The property has been heritage listed by the National Trust.

While the home has remained in original condition since its last transaction, there are approved plans and permits for an extension, which add a second storey with another living room and three additional bedrooms.

“It would be a sympathetic addition to the rear, which does not impact the heritage listing,” Mr Kingston said.

“The owners were going to do the renovation, but their circumstances have changed so they are now passing the property on to its next owner.”

Historic photos of Fooks House. Picture: Supplied.

The house was built in 1964. Picture: Supplied.

A previous application to demolish the kitchen, which has survived five decades with most of its original features intact including a General Motors Holden Custom Deluxe frigidaire oven, was rejected by the National Trust.

Mr Kingston said the discreet campaign would be more broadly advertised once the ban on private inspections was eased.

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The post Fooks House: Caulfield North mid-century home of Dr Ernest Fooks for sale appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Working from home for people like Talia Thornton, (with dog Fenton) has changed house hunting forever. Picture: Nicki Connolly

First there was talk of first-home buyers and their smashed avocado on toast, now another breakfast analogy has been cooked up to explain the current state of the property market.

“If smashed avocado had anything to do with housing affordability over the last decade, scrambled eggs will be the dish of the 20s,” said Propertyology head of research, Simon Pressley.

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The buyers’ agent and researcher said the traditional “fried egg” town planning model – where CBDs are filled with office towers, retail and high-density apartments (the yolk) surrounded by an urban sprawl (the egg white) – is about to be “scrambled”.

Working from home, for people such as Saumya Mehta of Hobart, is changing what they want from their lifestyle. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The era of the smashed avocado, and its influence on property affordability appears to be over.

After six months of observing how COVID-19 has hit the real estate market, Propertyology came up with a number of property predictions.

“We’ll continue to live in a world of disruption until such time as a vaccine is available. But the disruption from this germ has been big enough and already lasted long enough for Australian real estate to have changed forever,” Mr Pressley said.

He said Australians are in the midst of re-evaluating their priorities.

“Before too long, there’ll be a big enough critical mass of people who will work and/or live at a different address to cause a structural shift in property markets,” he said.

“A germ does not diminish Australia’s total demand for shelter, but it will significantly influence where people choose to take shelter,” said Mr Pressley.

Knowledge-based employees and clerical workers have been able to test drive working from home and Mr Pressley said some may never want to go back to their office – or live near it.

Real estate fried egg is scrambling according to Propertyology.

A new kind of demand

More manageable mortgages, low density locations (that are less susceptible to future lockdowns) regional lifestyle destinations, and working from home compatibility will be on buyers’ wish lists from now on according to Mr Pressley.

With that in mind COVID-19 was “the final nail in the coffin” for high-rise apartments.

“This asset class was increasingly problematic pre-COVID. And now the future is uncertain for workers in hotels, restaurants and hospitality – who normally service international visitors. Ditto, the airline industry and international students. Many of this demographic are part of the egg yolk, renting an inner-city apartment,” he said.

Conversely, he anticipates detached houses within affordable metropolitan suburbs and desirable regional locations will gain popularity.

“We will progressively see some of that yellow yolk blend into the egg white.”

Chin-Chuan Lee and his partner Mark Barrett moved out of Sydney to The Blue Mountains, due to COVID-19. Picture: Richard Dobson

The decade of decentralisation

Social demographer, Mark McCrindle said the egg metaphor for our cities was apt.

“We call it the sprawl and crawl model, because the cities continue to sprawl, and then people crawl their way back into the CBD for work. It’s had obviously some inefficiencies from a time and investment perspective, which has led to ridiculously high-priced property in the CBDs and lower prices out there on the fringe,” he said.

“The employment model has been such that people have needed to spend a long time commuting into that yolk. There’ve been attempts to create, if you like, multiple ‘yolks’ in the egg to allow the population to have their ultimate goal of living, working, and playing close to where they live. It’s been trending that way slowly, but COVID has really transformed things.

“Multiple egg yolks are better than a single egg. It spreads the population and it leads to those 20 or 30-minute cities, and that’s great. But it’s not the complete solution.”

Leaving the city behind. Source: Propertyology.

The regionalisation of real estate

According to Mr Pressley, where we work and how much we earn has always had a huge influence on where we live.

“The impact of these property economics will affect a big enough critical mass to influence future property market performance. As always, there will be property market winners and losers associated with changing economic conditions,” he said.

He added that the pandemic may be the “elbow in the ribs” Australia needed to implement a decentralisation policy and see the birth of “regionalisation”.

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Pressley predicts a new era of regionalisation is likely to produce about twenty low-density towns and cities that will benefit from significant internal migration.

“Just think about which Australian locations provide people with the lowest risk of future COVID lockdowns and the lowest risk of restricted lifestyles,” he said.

“Which locations have an economic profile with an industry mix that is conducive to this new world, thereby providing greater household income certainty? Where one can buy a good quality detached house in a location that offers plentiful open space and a manageable mortgage?”

It’s not just about the money

Managing the mortgage isn’t top priority for all Australians escaping the city according to Nerida Conisbee, chief economist for realestate.com.au.

“We’ve seen tonnes of searches for property outside the cities – and it’s not an affordability thing. Northern NSW is one very popular location and if you have a look at how expensive those areas in and around Byron Bay are, it’s high.,” she said.

While Ms Conisbee agreed the traditional town planning model does fit the fried egg analogy, she said she is not convinced the future looks scrambled.

“What we’re seeing now, is that more people are working from home. I think regional Australia will be a beneficiary of this. We’re already seeing very high search levels in regional areas, and I think that’s because some people have realised they don’t need to be in the city all the time. I’m not sure if it’s a scrambled egg, but yes, there will be more of a spread,” she said.

Interest in Byron, including the magical Crystal Estate, is booming.

Cities of the future

“We’ve decoupled work from location, and so now most work in a knowledge economy can be done regardless of location. That’s been the trend, but we should keep in mind that the CBDs will still be required and will thrive in the future,” Mr McCrindle said.

The inevitable change to our work set ups will have a domino effect on property prices.

“We’ll see regional areas and the outer ring suburbs do a lot better, because now we have decoupled work from location and reduced the commuting frequency. But workspaces will still required in the future,” he said.

Fried eggs are yesterday’s real estate dish says Propertyology’s Simon Pressley.

“So someone in the outer ring of a city might only be commuting an hour and a half two days a week, not five. Or someone in a regional centre still might need to go to a city, but only a couple of days a week. That’s a game changer and therefore opens up regional and outer suburban living for a lot more people.”

Quality inner city apartments such as Surry Hills Village, remain in high demand.

Where to next for units

Ms Conisbee warned we shouldn’t place inner city and suburban apartments in the same basket.

“It’s always been higher density properties in outer suburban areas that have struggled and I don’t think that will change. COVID has just made it even more challenging.

Benefits of working from home. Research from Propertyology and McCrindle.

“What people want is a bit more space and that’s showing in the search data,” she said.

But that doesn’t signal the death of all property within the inner city “yolk”.

“Working from home might still be a bit of a novelty for some, but I think people get a lot out of working with others, and being near other people in their industry, that won’t change,” she added.

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Mr McCrindle also said he didn’t see the final nail in the coffin for apartments.

“We still love detached homes, and townhouses, but we’ve had quite a few decades now of apartment living. The model has worked for a lot of people from a lifestyle perspective. Older Australians are loving apartment living,” he said.

Working from home study by Propertyology and McCrindle.

“Walkable communities that we’ve liked for so long, the cafe and restaurant culture that surrounds these apartments or high density population areas is something Aussies love and that will bounce back after COVID.”

Ms Conisbee maintained there will always be a demand for city living.

“Our cities will recover, but it is going to be quite painful between now and that recovery, and that’s where we’ll start to see a bit more of a redistribution of people in that short to medium term. But longer term, there’s definitely still a place for our cities,” she said.

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The 2.02ha Belvedere estate in Dural is the largest home in the area and is set to break the suburb record with its $13.8 million price guide.

A Sydney mega mansion with nearly 1000sqm of internal space is set to rewrite property records after coming up for sale.

The 2.02ha estate with resort-style facilities has six bedrooms, an imported European 72 light Swarovski Crystal Chandelier, a staircase that took a month to complete and rural views.

CoreLogic records reveal the Dural landholding has been owned by mining and construction equipment businessman Chris Jelen for 19 years, after he paid $714,000 for the block in 2001.

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The palatial estate has a $13.8m price guide and is for sale through Agency by Alison Coopes director Alison Coopes.

The epic estate sits on an elevated 2.02ha parcel.

A sale at this price point would see ‘Belvedere’ eclipse the current Dural suburb record by $2.95m, according to CoreLogic.

Completed in 2010, the Jelen family have spared no expense to construct the largest house in Dural with 974sqm of internal living.

The owners also spent $360,000 on iron fencing and gates, $60,000 on a fountain and fire pit area, and Ms Coopes estimates landscaping alone cost $500,000 and took two years to complete.

Belvedere is equipped with a tennis court, a swimming pool, rumpus room and bar, two spa baths and a seven-car garage. It is constructed with 360 cubic meters of concrete, 100,000 schooner bricks, custom Italian marble flooring and Georgian style Corbels.

The kitchen has a marble splashback.

Many rooms have sweeping district views.

“The house has been built in such a way that it will never deteriorate and need to be structurally repaired,” Ms Coopes said.

The real estate agent said that apart from the quality, the property is unlike anything she has seen in the Hills before.

“It is unusual for a block of this size to have elevated views and not be affected by power lines or easements in the ‘Golden Triangle’,” she said.

Ms Coopes said the owners completed a renovation on the property five years after the build in 2015. Since the renovation, she said the family has only lived in a tiny section of the mansion on the lower ground.

The palatial mansion has 974sqm of internal living.

There are several formal living and dining spaces.

“It feels brand new with most of the house having been unlived in,” she said.

The grandeur on the home is evident after entering the main foyer that has 6m ceilings with an imported European 72 light Swarovski Crystal Chandelier and a spiral staircase that took worker’s nearly a month to complete. All the bedrooms are oversized including the main, which features his and her walk-in wardrobes, a spa, bidet and shower jets.

Since launching to market last week, Ms Coopes has been inundated with inquires from buyers across Sydney including the Hills, north shore and eastern suburbs.

There are six bedrooms, five bathrooms and parking for seven cars.

The property was built in 2010 and renovated in 2015.

She said while some buyers are looking to upgrade, many want the house as a weekender.

“A lot of buyers are looking to make a change and want a weekender that is no more than 40 minutes from the city,” she said.

The home also includes two driveways, a service access gate with staff carpark, a laundry with laundry chute from all three levels, a seven-car garage that could accommodate a car stacker and a gym that can be converted into a home cinema. The rumpus room includes a bar, wall mounted TV, high ceilings and an open wood fireplace with marble mantle.

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The post Businessman Chris Jelen’s Dural mansion with Swarovski Crystal chandelier set to break record appeared first on realestate.com.au.

It’s only week two of The Block 2020, but Jasmin is already beginning to regret her decision to enter.

She’s still stung by the criticism from the judges which saw her and husband Luke come last in week one, with a guest bedroom that was pretending to be in a modern home as opposed to the 1910s weatherboard they’re actually renovating.

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“I’m mourning my Block experience,” she says sobbing. “I wanted to come on this show and do something I love. I didn’t want to come on this show and be pigeonholed into something.”

Guest bathroom week is only compounding her anxiety.

Clutching a photograph of a drab 1910s bathroom, featuring white on white on white, a (oh the horror) shower curtain and no storage, she has to bypass the tiles she really wants for something the judges won’t slam as not in keeping with the era.

Jasmin is mourning her broken Block expectations.

“It’s hard because I can’t really do what I want to do. We thought they would want a nod to the era, but it seems like they want a really vigorous headshake — they want a headbang,” she says.

Still, at least there was indoor plumbing by the 1910s, and they don’t have to install a long-drop.

The pair are raising their ceiling, which will likely get them a tick from the judges, but have chosen a fluted glass shower screen, despite knowing it isn’t reflective of the 1910s, which could see them right back where they started in week one.

Father and daughter team Harry and Tash, who have the smallest bathroom, are in worse trouble. Tash’s inability to make a final decision on tiles is bad, but it’s Harry’s inability to find a tiler that’s really setting them back.

Sensing blood in the water, Keith and Dan are in like a shot, heckling Harry about how far behind he is and reeling off a terrifying list of all the things he needs to get done.

While the other teams are in hell, Jimmy and Tam are enjoying the “poshest” dinner they’ve ever had.

Jimmy and Tam are in a very different world. A world of fine dining and five star service at the Gaggenau showroom. They’re there to pick the $120,000 worth of appliances they won last week, and with a single fridge costing $16,000 (“that’s worth more than my car,” Tam says), they’ll probably burn through it pretty quickly.

But first, a French chef serves up what Jimmy calls “the most posh dinner I’ve ever been to”.

Even better, their carpenter Jay earns high praise from Keith for his complex sloping sub-floor, and it gets the tick of approval.

Keith and Dan have this year banned screeds (a mix of sand and concrete used to make sloping floors that allow water to drain away), telling contestants they instead have to use angled timber batons instead. And it all has to be signed off by Keith and Dan before sheeting can begin.

Given the number of times this fact is reiterated in this episode I’d be putting money on at least one team going ahead without that crucial tick.

Sarah and George are struggling with their layout. Knowing how much judge Shaynna Blaze hates seeing a toilet in bathrooms, they’re trying to work out a way to tuck it away so the throne isn’t front and centre.

They come up with a nib wall concept “so you can drop a deuce in private” George says.

I suspect Shaynna would have preferred they put the loo in the middle of the room than hear that particular phrase.

George ponder the best place to “drop a deuce”.

SA farmers Daniel and Jade have chosen floor to ceiling large format marble tiles for their bathroom, a nod to the 1930s, but Jade is wracked with self-doubt.

“I’m a hairdresser, I’m a mum, this is not what I do,” she says.

“We’ve never had the luxury of building a bathroom like this,” Daniel confirms.

The pair are mired in debt thanks to the devastating drought which has left their remote outback property a dust bowl, so a little bit of indecision over tiles takes on a little more meaning for them.

But it could be worse. They could be Tam, heading off with a long shopping list written by her plumber husband Jimmy.

“Basin?” she says. “What’s that?”

MISSED AN EPISODE?

Episode 4 recap: Luke and Jasmin’s big stuff up

Episode 3 recap: ‘So two years ago’. Boring room slammed

Episode 2 recap: Which Block team got the best house?

Episode 1 recap: The tears start early on The Block 2020

The post The Block 2020 episode 5 recap: Jasmin breaks down while Jimmy and Tam live the high life appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The First Home Loan Depost Scheme has opened up the suburbs to buyers. Picture: Darren England.

First-home buyers are riding into the property market on a wave of government incentives, according to figures just released.

One in eight first-home buyers this year have dipped into the Morrison Government’s First Home Loan Depost Scheme says the federal body charged with implementing the incentive.

The demand from first-home buyers for the scheme, which was an election promise of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, had come despite significant challenges.

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Arianna Merewether, her wife Annette Merewether, and dog Henry say the First Home Loan Depost Scheme allowed them to save for a home much sooner. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) said interest in the FHLDS came from across the board.

“Demand for the scheme in the six months to 30 June continued despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” NHFIC CEO Nathan Dal Bon said.

“First-time buyers across age and income spectrums around the country accessed the scheme, and we saw strong interest from buyers in outer metropolitan and regional areas.”

The scheme was introduced on January 1 and was capped at 10,000 eligible buyers. That quota was quickly filled, with it re-set on July 1.

First-home buyers have embraced PM Scott Morrison’s scheme. Picture Gary Ramage

The FHLDS Trends and Insights report, discovered a number of interesting statistics about the first-home buyer. These included:

– the scheme allowed buyers on average to bring forward their purchase by four years

– almost 70 per cent of buyers purchased a detached house, with 25 per cent opting for an apartment and five per cent a townhouse

– more than 50 per cent of homes bought in capital cities were 15 – 30km from the CBD, with couples willing to buy further out than singles

– major cities attracted 62.3 per cent of buyers, with the remainder buying in regional areas

– teachers were the main cohort of key workers who accessed the scheme (37 per cent) following by nurses, who made up 25 per cent.

– the median price for houses was $385,000 compared with the $475,000 median cost of apartments, as most units were bought in capital cities.

– those accessing the scheme were concentrated in the 25-34 age bracket.

First-home buyers in Toowoomba accessed the FHLDS in the greatest numbers.

Under the scheme, buyers can purchase their first home with as little as five per cent deposit with the federal government guaranteeing the remaining 15 per cent usually required by costly insurance.

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Demand for the scheme was strongest in Toowoomba in regional Queensland, followed by Campbelltown in south west Sydney and the outer Melbourne suburbs of Cragieburn and Frankston.

Phillip Meyers, director of sales and marketing at Toplace, one of Sydney’s biggest and most respected developers said he was seeing this demand on the ground.

Apartments within reach of Sydney’s CBD such as Toplace’s Skyview, are proving popular with first-home buyers.

“Provided they have secure employment, we are getting a lot of interest from first-home buyers wanting to make a purchase because they see now as a great opportunity to take that first step,” he said.

“We are getting a lot of inquiries from individuals, couples and families alike who want to realise that dream of owning their first home.”

The lack of affordability of homes close to the CBD in Sydney was again highlighted by the report, with the majority of those who purchased in the Harbour City doing so at least 30km from the city centre. In all the other major cities, buyers made their purchase within 30km of the CBD.

Act now to avoid disappointment

The report also found almost two-thirds of the 10,000 capped places in the scheme were taken up within the first two months. Given the two-month period has now expired since the second allotment of places was released on July 1, first-home buyers intending to access the FHLDS in the second half of this year should do so ASAP.

NSW buyers had the most loans guaranteed, making up almost 23 per cent of the 10,000 successful applicants, Qld made up 18 per cent and Victoria made up 16 per cent.

The lower level of interest from South Australia and Western Australia was put down to the “longstanding Keystart and HomeStart low home loan deposit initiatives currently active in WA and SA respectively,” the report said.

A home close to Sydney’s CBD remains out of reach for most first-home buyers.

Almost 83 per cent of buyers borrowed between 90 and 95 per cent of the value of their home. Those buying in the greater Sydney area had the highest debt-to-taxable income ratio (4.7) in the country.

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Nationally prices have been slipping slightly in recent months but over the past year, they are well up.

Adrian Kelly, president of the Real Estate Institute of Australia, said first-home buyers shouldn’t over worry about committed to making a purchase for fear of plumetting prices as a result of COVID-19.

“If we have values falling one, two and three per cent during a global pandemic that is probably a good outcome,” he said.

“That might as well be zero. And if prices are flatlining, that is a good outcome too because that hasn’t been the case in other countries.”

The post First home buyers: How to get your home 4 years sooner appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Actor Matthew Perry has put his Malibu beach house on the market. Picture: Realtor

Could this mansion be any more perfect?

Actor Matthew Perry has put his Malibu beach house on the market for $20.6 million (US$14.95 million).

The four-bedroom oceanfront property is where the Friends’ star has sheltered in place during the coronavirus, cracking jokes about the beachgoers below.

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Literally living on the beach. Picture: Realtor

Exposed ceiling beams dominate the main living space. Picture: Realtor

A steel-and-wood floating staircase connects the two stories. Picture: Realtor

“This is the scene from my patio,” Perry captioned a picture he posted to Instagram in May. “No masks, one foot apart. This is the thing that makes want to scream. Until I remember that I have a kickass Malibu house.”

Now he’s giving the opportunity to let someone else like the ‘kickass’ Malibu lifestyle.

Take a little dip in the hot tub in privacy. Picture: Realtor

The kitchen eating area. Picture: Realtor

Actor Matthew Perry in 2016. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

The 510 sqm home in an enclave west of Los Angeles boasts a secured front gate and covered entry corridor.

A loft-like, open-format house has a steel-and-wood floating staircase, exposed ceiling beams and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The two-storey Pacific Ocean-facing property has four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, custom wardrobes, a galley kitchen with commercial-style appliances and a private sitting room, which is where, in April, Perry baked cookies while nude (which he also posted about on Instagram).

There’s a designated ping pong area. Picture: Realtor

And a luxe home theatre area. Picture: Realtor

Another area to lounge and enjoy the sun. Picture: Realtor

The luxe kitchen. Picture: Realtor

The beachfront pad also boasts some cool celebrity-style amenities: a designer ping-pong table, two balconies (one with a fire pit), a home theatre and a hot tub in a wood-decked courtyard shielded for privacy by opaque screens.

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Cast of the TV show ‘Friends’: Matthew Perry, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer. Picture: File

One of the homes four bedrooms. Picture: Realtor

A bathroom. Picture: Realtor

The spread boasts four bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms. Picture: Realtor

Perry, 51, quietly purchased the property from LA developer Scott Gillen — who had rebuilt the beach mansion roughly 10 years prior — in an off-market deal in 2011, when it was valued at $US12 million, according to Mansion Global.

The actor is also trying to offload his 865 sqm decadently decorated Los Angeles penthouse. It listed last August for US$35 million, a price tag that made it the city’s most expensive condo for sale.

The price has since been chopped to US$27 million, according to Realtor.com.

The house has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Picture: Realtor

Watch beachgoers come and go from your balcony. Picture: Realtor

That freshly renovated property also has a home theatre, as well as four bedrooms and four terraces. Perry bought the property, touted in the listing a “mansion in the sky,” for $20 million in 2017.

A source told Mansion Global that both listings are motivated by Perry’s desire to spend more time in New York City.

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Perry is filming the “Friends” reunion special for HBO Max in California alongside all of the beloved sitcom’s original cast members.

Parts of this story first appeared in the NYPost and were republished with permission.

The post Actor Matthew Perry is selling his ‘kickass Malibu house’ for $20.6 million appeared first on realestate.com.au.

First-home buyers contested the $492,000 sale of 88A Kitchener Street, Broadmeadows.

Victorians travelled further and took on more debt on average than any other state to take up the government’s First Home Loan Deposit Scheme.

And Broadmeadows was their main destination in Victoria, with half of the nation’s 10 most popular postcodes for the scheme in Melbourne, according to figures released by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC).

The data covers the scheme from the start of 2020 to June 30 and shows the average Australian first-home buyer travelled 7.6km to get a foot on the property ladder.

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But Victorians trekked 10.4km. They also took on more debt than any other state, owing a median $456,000 compared to $427,500 in NSW.

Demand was concentrated in Melbourne’s outer suburbs except for postcode 3064, home to Broadmeadows and Tullamarine, which was the most popular in the state and fourth highest nationwide.

YPA Glenroy’s David Taylor said Broadmeadows’ popularity hinged on its affordability and proximity to the CBD.

1/284 Camp Road, Broadmeadows attracted first-home buyers chasing the First Home Owner Grant and the deposit scheme.

“Most of the buyers were coming from other parts of Melbourne, just because of the price point and proximity to the city, particularly from the eastern suburbs,” Mr Taylor said.

“And some were waiting for the second wave (of the scheme) so they will come back soon, hopefully.”

An affordable unit or townhouse in the area might set a buyer back $370,000-$420,000, while houses could be had for $500,000-$570,000, he said.

New builds in affordable suburbs present a particularly tempting target for first timers.

Most who came to the area looked at new townhouses, however, as this allowed them to claim the $10,000 First Home Owner Grant from the state government as well.

Under the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme, first-time buyers are able to purchase a home — up to a maximum value $600,000 in Melbourne — with as little as a 5 per cent deposit through one of 25 approved lenders.

The government then guarantees the loan for the difference between the deposit (5 per cent) and 20 per cent of the total value of a qualifying property.

MELBOURNE DEPOSIT SCHEME HOT SPOTS

Tullamarine and Broadmeadows – 52

Cardinia – 49

Casey – 49

Wyndham – 46

Werribee – 45

Source: National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation

NHFIC chief executive Nathan Dal Bon said demand for the scheme had continued despite the COVID-19 pandemic and noted more than half the homes purchased as part of the scheme had been within 30km of Melbourne’s CBD.

“First-time Melbourne buyers pursing their dream of home ownership appear to have been able to buy closer to the CBD than their Sydney counterparts under the scheme,” Mr Dal Bon said.

One in six of the scheme’s applicants around the nation were key workers, with teachers accounting for just over a third of that number and nurses a quarter.

Villawood Properties has sold discounted lots to key workers for a number of years and executive director Rory Costelloe said while there had always been demand from such buyers, they had come to the fore during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They are more confident about their job security and maybe the banks are of the same opinion,” Mr Costelloe said.

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Andy Buttfield and his wife Jo Buttfield with dog Alf at their Lavender Bay Home.

BridgeClimb Sydney chief engineer and grandson of Sir Edward Holden, Andy Buttfield, has sold his long-held harbourside home at private auction, in a hush-hush deal worth more than $10m.

The home he shares with wife Jo has a point-blank view of the Harbour Bridge and city across the water.

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Gone in 72 hours for more than $20m

It’s a fitting outlook for Mr Buttfield, who was chief project engineer who developed BridgeClimb Sydney, which opened in 1998.

The Buttfields have owned their home at 35 Bay View St, Lavender Bay, for 55 years.

It went to private auction on Saturday with Mark Jackson, of Belle Property Neutral Bay.

Eight bidders registered, although only half of them took part in the on-site auction.

Mr Jackson said the property sold under the hammer for a confidential price. However he did confirm it sold “considerably over our guide”, which was $10 million.

“Properties of this calibre in Lavender Bay are rarely offered for sale,” he said.

“Our client has owned it for 55 years. What made it really special was the position on the preferred low side of Bay View Street. This made the harbour views more expansive and intimate. You feel a real connection to the water.

“Its entry was also unique because you walk straight into the living zone with those amazing views from the street, whereas other homes typically have entry via the lower levels.”

What a view!

There are views from just about every room.

Mr Jackson said 140 groups inspected the property in the lead-up to the auction – a high number considering the price point.

“People love Lavender Bay – it’s very sought-after,” he said.

“The home’s views and location on Bay View Street were the main attractions for buyers. We had many buyers from the lower north shore, as well as the eastern suburbs and upper north shore.

“A few people weren’t actually intending to purchase a new home in the near future but were so inspired by the property, they couldn’t resist coming for a look. They recognised that it was a special opportunity.”

Open plan living.

Dine with a view.

There were also inquiries from overseas, both expats and international buyers with Australian residency. These were from Hong Kong, London and the US, Mr Jackson said.

Mr Buttfield said he had never tired of seeing people climb up and down the bridge.

BridgeClimb and his legendary grandfather are not Mr Buttfield’s only claims to fame, he is also the son of late Federal Liberal senator Dame Nancy Buttfield.

Selling up in Lavender Bay is the end of an era for the couple, who have decided to move permanently to their property in Bowral, previously a weekender.

“We stayed in Bowral for four months and enjoyed it so much, my wife said, ‘why don’t we move here?’ We love Bowral, it’s a delightful environment and I just love being outdoors in the bush,” Mr Buttfield said.

Formal living.

There are multiple terraces.

“This (35 Bay View St) was a run down dump when I bought it,” he said. “I’ve spent 40 years taking a wreck of a house into something we’re proud to be in, and now the job’s finished.”

He believes he has at “at least one more project left in” him and the couple are planning to build a new home in Bowral now the Lavender Bay house is sold.

“We were very happy with the campaign and very pleased with the outcome,” he said.

“Jo and I have turned the page on this chapter of 55 years and we’re looking forward to beginning a new one in the Southern Highlands. We’ve already begun planning to build our new home.”

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At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

SEVEN News reporter and Crows game day host Elspeth Hussey may be in your home on your television screen each night, but when she’s in her own home it’s her collection of paintings, her bathroom and the natural light that she loves best.

The keen renovator, who lives with her gorgeous Hungarian vizsla Maggie, has transformed her original 1910s cottage into a work of art… literally.

Elspeth, who also is a budding artist, has curated her home to feel like a fabulous gallery with incredible Indigenous artworks from the likes of painter Debra McDonald, as well as her own original pieces.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

Her decorating style, which her friends describe as “white on white on white” acts as the perfect backdrop for her vibrant art collection.

From whitewashed floorboards, a white home exterior to crisp linen in her bedroom, the result is enviable and tranquil.

Elspeth, whose career highlights would have to include “hosting the medal presentation after the Crows AFLW team won the Grand Final in 2019”, says her goal for 2020 is “to paint more and maybe have an exhibition for my friends and family”.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

NAME
Elspeth Hussey

WORKLIFE

Seven News reporter.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS…

Hosting the medal presentation after the Crows AFLW team won the Grand Final in 2019.

I’VE LIVED IN MY HOME FOR…

Just over 12 months.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

MY HOME IS…

A renovated 1910 Cottage in Parkside.

I LIVE WITH…

My three-year-old Hungarian Vizsla, Maggie.

I LOVE MY HOME BECAUSE…

Of the location. It’s a short walk to cafes on Hutt Street – and Victoria Park and Unley Oval for walks with Maggie.

BUT I STILL NEED TO…

Plant some new trees along the front fence.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

MY DECORATING STYLE IS…

My friends would describe my style as ‘white on white on white’.

RECENT PURCHASE

A wool floor rug from Oscar and Willow.

I COLLECT…

Paintings.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

FAVOURITE ROOM

My bathroom with its oversized bath.

HOME FAVOURITES

■ Art from indigenous painter Debra McDonald – I have four but the one in the hallway is my favourite.
■ My bathroom.
■ The natural light.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

IN MY GARDEN I HAVE…

Teddy Bear magnolias, ornamental pears and tall hedges.

WHEN I GET HOME AT NIGHT…

I pour a glass of wine and start cooking. It helps me switch off after a long day.

AT WEEKENDS I LIKE TO…

Go for longer runs, have long lunches with friends and catch up on Netflix.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

MY FIRST CAR WAS…

An old manual BMW we bought from my uncle.

I LIKE TO LISTEN TO…

All sorts – up tempo if I’m running. I’m loving the soundtrack from the Last Dance documentary.

AT THE MOMENT I AM READING…

Grown Ups by Marian Keyes and Fast Asleep by Dr Michael Moseley.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

FAVOURITE BOOK

All The Light We Cannot See.

CLEAN FREAK OR MESSY BESSIE?

The cleanest of clean freaks.

WHEN I’M HOME I LIKE TO COOK…
Everything. But lately I’ve been making a lot of pasties and tarts.

FAV CAFE/ RESTAURANT/ BAR

Bar Torino and Melt on King William Road.

FAVOURITE DRINK?

Pinot gris.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

FAVOURITE FOOD/DISH TO EAT

Dumplings.

WHEN I WAS A CHILD I WANTED TO BE…

An actress or a secretary (I was obsessed with typing).

FAVOURITE SA HOLIDAY SPOT

Port Elliot.

DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION

Scandinavia.

FAVOURITE SPORTS TEAM
The Crows.

SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS?

Renovate another home.

MY NEIGHBOURS ARE…

The absolute best. I got very lucky. We have dinner and drinks regularly.

I COULDN’T LIVE WITHOUT…

My family.

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

IF I COULD AFFORD IT I WOULD LIVE…

In a holiday home at Port Elliot half the time and Adelaide the other half.

MY GOAL FOR 2020 IS TO…

Paint more and maybe have an exhibition for my friends and family.

HOME MEANS…

Entertaining, good food and wine, good friends and making memories.

@smhomemag

At home with 7News reporter and keen renovator Elspeth Hussey. Picture: Nick Clayton.

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Michael Gu’s (right) Mosman home is expected to come up for sale in Spring. Supplied

No signs yet of its listing, but agents will soon get the chance to take the Mosman home Michael Gu, the founder of the collapsed property group iProsperity, to a spring sale.

Gu paid $10m for the mansion back in 2017, but has recently quit Sydney after gaining an overseas travel exemption, despite allegedly owing investors $350m.

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A stunning view from the luxury home.

iProsperity’s liquidator, Cor Cordis, is understood to have sold Gu’s Rolls Royce Wraith for $502,000 with just 1039km on the clock.

The luxury Mosman market is strong.

There was a $20m-plus midweek sale of the Alex Popov-designed home of childcare mogul Brendan McAssey and his wife Elizabeth, who are off to Luggie Bank at Mittagong in the Southern Highlands.

The home was bought for $10m in 2017.

The four-bedroom home, reportedly rented by inter­national superstars David and Victoria Beckham when they came to Sydney in 2018 for the Invictus Games, traded at $17,349,691 in 2016 when bought from Donna Doyle.

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