Tania Tan and Robert Hosker with their children Amber and Ollie Hosker.
When Tania Tan and Robert Hosker listed their Neutral Bay family home for sale in May, Sydney was in the thick of the COVID-19 crisis.
Social distancing rules were well entrenched after the Federal Government introduced them in March, but by May 15, the first easing of restrictions imposed in the nationwide lockdown had arrived.
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Epic mansion comes with 14-car garage
Ms Tan and Mr Hosker were keen to upsize to a larger home in the area, having lived at 20 Bent St, otherwise known as The Corner House, for 13 years.
The couple wanted more space for their growing family, but wanted to sell before they committed to a new property.
20 Bent St, Neutral Bay.
20 Bent St, Neutral Bay.
Ms Tan, former art director for Pacific Magazines and at the BBC, who now works in the financial sector, said the home had been wonderful for raising their young family.
Claudia Portale, of McGrath Mosman, launched the property in May, ahead of a June 6 auction, however it didn’t sell.
“We had such a tough time during the COVID lockdown and afterwards – there was a lot of negativity about the market,” Ms Portale said.
“But come spring and it’s like everyone has sprung seriously into action. The buyers are back.”
Last week Ms Portale relaunched the couple’s property in the hope of a spring sale, setting a September 26 auction.
And what a difference it was this time around.
The kitchen.
The view.
A young couple, originally from Melbourne who had been looking for their dream home for the past year, inspected The Corner House last week.
By 5pm they had signed off on a $3.275 million deal to buy the c1910 home.
It was a great result, considering the price guide was $2.8 million to $3 million – and set a new street sales record.
It blitzed the record set in 2018 with the $2.82 million sale of 64 Bent St, CoreLogic records show.
Ms Tan said it all happened very quickly.
“I was so surprised at how quickly it sold this time ‘round,” she said. “I really had no idea what would happen.”
Meanwhile, the family is still looking for the right new home.
“In this environment we really didn’t want to end up with owning two houses at once,” Ms Tan said. “We definitely plan to stay in the area.”
A TASTE OF BALI
Who needs international travel when you can have a Balinese-style courtyard complete with water feature, towering bamboo and electric rain-sensing louvre roof in the heart of Neutral Bay?
The two-bedroom townhouse at 3/3 Hardie St, is due to go to auction on October 3, with Matthew Smythe and Mark Ryan, of Belle Property Neutral Bay.
Holiday at home – 3/3 Hardie St, Neutral Bay.
They have set an auction guide of $1.4 million price guide for the pet-friendly home, which has 168sqm on title.
Owners Garry and Jacqui Brook have been renting the property out since moving to the Central Coast a year ago.
Ms Brook said the property had been a massive hit on Airbnb, with the couple achieving ‘super host’ status within three months.
“Unfortunately, since COVID-19 hit, we have lost bookings as they were all from overseas,” she said.
So they have decided to sell the townhouse.
“We think our property is a hidden gem,” Ms Brook said. “It caters to the needs of a young couple/family upsizing from an apartment or a couple who are downsizing.”
RARE OPPORTUNITY
A 1930s home set high on the Balmoral ridge, and a level walk from the Mosman village has come to market.
The three-bedroom home at 16 Moruben Rd, is ripe for a renovation, extension, or even a knockdown/rebuild, says Jacqui Rowland-Smith, of Di Jones Mosman.
“The (harbour) views are phenomenal,” she said. “This is a rare find, there is so much opportunity with this property.”
16 Moruben Rd, Mosman.
The view.
The rear view.
Or you could do nothing at all. From the street, the home has plenty of appeal in keeping in line with its Federation history, and there are plenty of classic touches still evident.
The versatile floorplan allows for a range of uses within the living spaces, that open to multiple terraces.
Other features include a skylit kitchen with stainless steel appliances and gas cooktop, fully tiled heated pool and spa surrounded by tropical gardens, massive main bedroom with ensuite, terrace, built-ins and a dressing room, rumpus room and airconditioning.
The home will be privately auctioned on October 3, with a price guide of $5.25 million to $5.75 million. It is open for inspection today and Saturday, from 1-1.30pm.
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