Latest Real Estate News

New homes in 10 locations ready for buyers to move into now

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 05:45:09 +0000

For buyers who don’t have the time or energy to navigate the building process – but want to secure a new home to live in now – buying a completed brand-new home from the developer could be your best bet.

Turnkey homes offer the benefits of a brand-new build without the waiting time, meaning you can move into your new home right away.

Choosing a turnkey home can simplify the process of buying a newly built home.

Adam Wellington, Sales Manager from Allam Property Group – a developer that allows buyers to purchase from them directly – says a ready-built home can make a daunting journey more manageable.

“Traditionally, you have to buy the land first, design the home and then you’ve got to get council approval,” Wellington explains.

“Once it’s approved, construction can take place – it can be quite a long process, often up to two years from start to finish. But with Allam, it is made easy.”

Ready to move in

Allam Property Group offers fixed-price turnkey homes through their EasyBuy initiative, which features a range of homes at 10 locations across New South Wales.

The developer currently has newly built homes available in Box Hill, Oakville, Edmondson Park, Austral, Silverdale, Tullimbar, Woongarrah, Chisholm and Kendall (for over 55s) in NSW, and soon in Beveridge, the group’s first estate in Victoria.

Allam Homes has ready-built homes available in 10 locations.

Each of these locations has a selection of ready-built homes and homes under construction, allowing buyers to choose depending on lifestyle, timeline and budget – whether a first home or an upgrade for a growing family.

With an Allam home, the purchaser has the opportunity to move into their brand-new home within a couple months from reservation.

No-stress process

Wellington says their step-by-step process debunks the worries around buying and building a new home – such as confusion, delays and cost blowouts – with fixed price transparency.

Through EasyBuy, there are no contract variations, no progress payments and no interest charges while the home is under construction.

There is a range of design choices to choose from.

Affordability and price clarity

Buying a completed home from a developer can help buyers bypass the competition found in the established home market and get a clear view of costs upfront, Wellington explains.

At auction, a “price guide” is exactly how it sounds – a guide, and not always a strong indicator of what a property can end up selling for.

The option also avoids the need to deal with an agency or the disappointment of missing out on a dream home, as there’s always a supply of homes available and in the pipeline.

Allam homes are available at a fixed price, meaning there are no surprises at purchase time (or during the building process, if off-the-plan) allowing buyers to plan and finance with confidence.

A $1,000 reservation fee is required along with a comparatively low deposit, minus this fee once the contract has been reviewed.

Each home is fitted with modern designs and amenities.

Wellington said it’s worth considering properties across Allam’s 10 locations, as a more affordable suburb may offer buyers a similar lifestyle to their first choice.

Oakville – next door to Box Hill but slightly cheaper – has been popular, he says.

Consistent quality

The team behind Allam’s home designs ensures each one is consistent in style and quality, so that what buyers see in the display suite is what they can expect in the finished product.

All floorplans are generously sized with a selection of neutral colour schemes, giving you a blank canvas to work from to really personalise with your furniture and decor.

Each home is fitted with modern amenities, kitchen appliances, blinds, air-conditioning, clothesline and is fully landscaped.

Sustainable features are also included, such as solar panels on select homes, to minimise energy costs making the homes more environmentally friendly.

If you’re interested in one of the turnkey homes from Allam Property Group, visit the website or enquire below.

The post New homes in 10 locations ready for buyers to move into now appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Renovators delight fetches 17 bidders, sells $300k above reserve

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 05:27:00 +0000

Hopeful home seekers at an auction in Earlwood on Saturday morning. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

A dated 100 year old Penshurst home ripe with potential has sold under the hammer for $1.546m.

The vendor, Glenda Austin, was selling the home on behalf of her parents who had lived in the house for 65 years. She said the property was built in 1923, making it over 100 years old.

Ms Austin joked that once the auction started she felt “sick” she was so nervous to sell the home that held many childhood and family memories in it.

There were four registered bidders with two active at the auction for 24 George St.

“We had a lot of lower offers so it was a good result,” she said.

“And it’s a gift anyway, it’s a legacy from the family and money we haven’t earnt so a gift from God or whatever it may be.”

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24 George Street, Penshurst sold for $1.546m

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Ms Austin said she would be getting on the phone to her sisters in Taree and New Zealand to tell them the good news.

Selling almost $200k above reserve, the interested parties were all young families who planned to knockdown and rebuild or renovate the rundown home.

The winning bidder was mother of two, Elena Kumcevski, who said she was feeling very nervous during the auction.

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The home had great potential and the winning bidder planned to knock down and build a new home.

“I had to go a bit over budget so that just wrecked every nerve,” she said.

She had been looking for a whole year and said she purchased the property as an investment and planned to knockdown and build a brand new home.

“I live in Hurstville so we were looking to purchase there but we moved over to Penshurst because I liked this block,” she said.

The home sat on a large 480 sqm corner block.

Lead agent McGrath‘s Roger Lahoud said the property had huge potential.

“This is pretty rare, not often do you get properties like this that are in this condition,” he said,

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“Something like this, entry level for the suburb is popular, but there is still some caution with in the market with interest rates.”

In Auburn, another dated home has fetched 17 registered bidders, selling $300k above reserve.

The popular home at 40 Lily St sold under the hammer for $1.7m, despite its need for a renovation.

Selling to a family who planned to renovate and live in the abode, lead agent Sezer Yunus from Ray White Auburn said it was a “crazy” auction.

You paid what? For that?

When Sarah came across an old Bedford bus for sale, she thought it could be a fun project, and promptly snapped it up for $6000.

Unfortunately, her husband Tom didn’t quite agree.

As well as being full of rust, the lights on the bus didn’t work and it didn’t have any brakes. Overwhelmed by the scale of what needed to be done, Sarah soon gave up on the idea of restoring it.

Struggling with interest rate rises, the couple wanted to at least recoup the money they had spent, so they tried to sell it.

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That’s better.

But while around half a dozen people came to inspect it, none of them were interested in buying it.

That’s when the Selling Houses Australia team stepped in to help.

Fortunately, Tumby Bay on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula is an increasingly popular tourist destination, and host and real estate expert Andrew Winton had an idea it could be transformed into accommodation that someone could be interested in buying to rent out as a weekender. After looking looked at a tiny house for inspiration, his hunch was confirmed.

The couple, who have three sons, only had a budget of $7000 for the project, and while it was a small space it was clear it needed a lot more than that to be spent to bring it up to make it saleable. With generous help from local tradies and the show’s suppliers and sponsors, the team was able to give the bus a dramatic overhaul.

‘I bought a bus.’

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The lime green bus, which was once driven around Australia selling soap, was repainted aqua with a white roof to create a coastal feel. Landscaper Dennis Scott and his team also added a deck with a small barbecue and an outdoor bath for a bit of romance, with a fire pit beside it.

Interior designer Wendy Moore decided to paint the ceiling white to create a sense of more space, installed vertical panels on the walls to give the illusion of height and painted them charcoal for a contemporary and cosy feel. She also added a fold down table and strip lighting.

The plumbing and electricals were also replaced.

Selling Houses/Buses Australia’s Dennis Scott hard at it.

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While Sarah and Tom were originally hoping to get $15,000 for the bus, which they named Bubbles of Bedford, they ended up selling it for $30,000.

Selling Houses Australia host and real estate expert Andrew Winter was blown away by the result.

“We always have a couple per season that we think might not sell,” he said.

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With the show called Selling Houses Australia, Winter said some people on social media “got a bit cross” about the team revamping a bus.

“I found that quite annoying,” he said.

15 Karuah Street, guests are greeted with the grandeur of an entry gallery featuring a dramatic double staircase, contemporary chandelier, 24 carat gold leaf ceiling, and marble flooring.

The layout centres around a majestic entry gallery with a lavish double staircase. Picture: realestate.com.au

This high level of luxury continues through to the main living area and the hub of the home.

Everything needed to host guests for a five-star meal can be found in the kitchen with the inclusion of Smeg Dolce appliances, an induction stovetop, butler’s pantry and Astra Walker tapware.

A luxe kitchen is equipped with Smeg Dolce appliances and Astra Walker tapwear. Picture: realestate.com.au

During the warmer months of the years, entertaining can spill out from the living area to the north-facing outdoor zone which includes an alfresco dining terrace, a landscaped garden, and a mosaic-tiled swimming pool and spa.

The expansive north-facing yard features an alfresco dining terrace, mosaic-tiled swimming pool and spa. Picture: realestate.com.au

Access to the first floor via the lift or the grand staircase leads to the six bedrooms upstairs.

The master bedroom is the piece de resistance with a lavish walk-in robe, a double ensuite with his and hers basins, and a private balcony.

The main bedroom encompasses a dressing room, double ensuite with two basins and a private balcony. Picture: realestate.com.au

A special retreat lies on the ground floor with a home theatre complete with its own kitchen eliminating the need to ever fight the crowds to see the latest flick again.

There’s also a four-car garage and separate toy room, allowing other living areas to remain tidy.

The state-of-the-art theatre has a full kitchen and private entertaining room. Picture: realestate.com.au

Greenacre is quickly becoming a top family suburb according to selling agent Omar Saadi at Pace Property Agents with several high-profile private schools within the area parents are keen to be zoned within.

“While it doesn’t have a train station, Greenacre is within close proximity to most of Sydney; it’s about a 20-minute drive to Parramatta, Miranda is also about a 20-minute drive and the city is about a 20-minute drive,” he said.

The drawbacks of stamp duty are well documented, particularly when it comes to the implications it has for housing supply.

We know stamp duty punishes homebuyers and discourages mobility.

But the latest taxation data highlights why the effects of this yoyo tax extend beyond the property market.

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Its removal was one of the key recommendations of the Henry Tax Review when it was completed all the way back in 2009.

This week the Australian Bureau of Statistics published taxation statistics for the 2022-23 financial year.

Stamp duty revenue, a tax levied on transactions rather than properties themselves, fell by 16.1 per cent (to $8.998 billion) in Victoria.

That meant $1.7 billion less to spend on things like schools, roads and hospitals than it did in the year prior.

For taxes such as land tax and municipal rates, which are collected annually rather than only when a property is sold, there was a 12.4 per cent increase in revenue to government coffers over the year (to $12.603 billion).

Cameron Kusher is economic research director at REA Group.

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If the Victorian government had removed stamp duty and replaced it with a universal land tax its revenue would have increased over the past 12 months – and continue to do so in future years.

A universal land tax would also encourage new housing as each new home would mean fresh revenue for the state.

Research completed this year by the e61 Institute and PropTrack found that, for the average buyer, covering stamp duty costs someone in Melbourne six months’ worth of take-home pay.

The research also found a 1 per cent increase in stamp duty could reduce property sales by 7.2 per cent.

Removing stamp duty and replacing it with a progressive land tax is a much more effective and equitable.

However, given how the first nine months of the financial year have fared for residential property sales and prices it seems likely there will be a strong rebound in stamp duty revenue over the coming year.

— Cameron Kusher is economic research director at REA Group

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The post Victorian stamp duty revenue falls by 16 per cent in financial year, sparks renewed calls for Land Tax appeared first on realestate.com.au.

‘I am to blame’: Landlord sells trashed Qld rental

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 03:49:00 +0000

A trashed rental property in Far North Queensland that was listed for sale with photos showing the disgusting state of the house is now under contract.

Located at Machans Beach in Cairns, the two bedroom property with an attached restaurant was listed for $820,000, and sits on a 567sq m block.

While the listing description alone would be enough to turn most buyers off ever becoming a landlord, it is the accompanying photos that are enough to make you want to reach for a bucket.

“I don’t blame the tenants for this kind of behaviour because nobody is ever to blame for their behaviour,” written by landlord Robert Zmeskal says.

“Nor do I blame the government or should that be the misgovernment for they are elected by the people.

“That leaves only … me… so I am to blame … for giving them so many chances to catch up with the rent and for waiting till (sic) they where so far behind in their rent and for making a minor clerical error in the eviction form so the judge dismissed the case and I had to start the six week process again. What fun!”

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One listing photo shows what is meant to be a dining room.

It shows the room strewn with mattresses, clothes, various other items and a cupboard.

A bedroom is also covered in clothes, while a photo of the kitchen shows a bin full of food and dirty dishes on the benches.

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The living room is cluttered with toys and various other household items.

A photo of an icecream container filled with rice and questionable hunks of meat comes with the caption ‘food for thought’.

Yum

There is more items strewn in the toilet, including a vacuum cleaner and potty.

An exterior shot shows trash and other belongings including bikes on the driveway.

Items dumped on the road out the front of the property were recently the subject of a “OMG What is this?” post on a local social media page, with complaints made to council.

Mystery box: Shed-like structure conceals luxury home

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 03:18:29 +0000

An impeccably considered ‘shed’ style home with a design inspired by chic warehouse conversions has hit the market in the small Victorian town of Trentham, with a $1,895,000 price guide.

The spectacular property, located at 31 Mullens Road, Trentham, is set on a peaceful 1.42ha of bushland, just a stone’s throw from the Wombat State Forest.

There is plenty of space for entertaining both inside and outside the home. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

The three bedroom, two bathroom energy efficient residence spans two levels, and includes an additional studio.

A separate studio, double garage with concrete floors and power, and separate man cave form part of the sale. Picture: Supplied

The eight-year-old property was an owner builder project of Brian Moody and Emma James, who have placed it on the market ready to move onto their next project.

Sellers Emma James and Brian Moody are moving on to their next project. Picture: Supplied

With the help of Ms James’ brother, and her endless research into European building codes, the home’s exterior walls are double framed with an extra gap in the middle to provide additional insulation for warmth, while an insulated slab has hydronic heating in the floors.

With soaring ceilings, cement flooring and edgy industrial touches, the home succeeds in maintaining a warmth throughout. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

“The whole idea was to have low running costs, it’s got 10 kilowatts of solar panels on the roof,” she said, adding a solar passive design allows for cooling in summer, and warmth in winter.

“And then it was just about bringing light, space into that room. We’ve got a very large extended family so we wanted to be able to have 40 people for lunch.

“It’s been an amazing entertaining house.”

Four wood burning fireplaces are dotted in and around the property, while a custom designed pizza oven sits near the outdoor patio. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

Soaring ceiling heights, and industrial details are teamed with striking timber features throughout, which includes timber panelling in the kitchen from an old building in Sydney.

A sprawling timber island bench takes centre stage of the commercial style chefs’ kitchen, which has a double Fisher & Paykel gas stove/electric oven, stainles

Unliveable home sold for $13.7m

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 01:20:00 +0000

A Sydney home has sold for a whopping $3.7m over the price guide after just one week on the market — and it didn’t even have a kitchen or bathroom.

Manar has stood proudly in Potts Point for more than 140 years, its stately Victorian facade hiding a colourful story.

Now the top-floor apartment in the landmark building has sold for an extraordinary price via Maclay Longhurst of Sotheby’s after just a week on the market — $13.7m, $3.7m above the $10m price guide — and it didn’t even have a kitchen or bathroom.

The unit at 1/42 Macleay St had been on and off the market with other agents over the years.

“We just managed to match the perfect buyer with apartment.” says Longhurst, who said he couldn’t disclose the identity of the purchaser due to a confidentiality agreement.

It’s understood they’re an older eastern suburbs downsizing couple who plan to do a major renovation the minute the property settles.

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Some of the rooms are beautifully decorated …

Outdoor dining/entertaining.

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It had been scheduled for a May 22 auction, but the purchasers were keen to get the deal wrapped up prior, hence yesterday’s sale at the way above expectations price.

There’d been several other parties interested.

Longhurst had said the penthouse presented as an unparalleled opportunity to purchase a raw shell in a period property complete with designer DA.

With its coveted Macleay St address, the building has had many VIP residents, including former lord mayors Jack Armstrong and Lucy Turnbull.

In 2020, Hollywood star Natalie Portman shot a Dior commercial in the penthouse, chosen for its Parisian appearance.

Vendors Victoria and Andrew Isles, of the A. Royale & Co family business, bought the first floor plan atop Manar for $2.25m in 2009 from former lawyer Russell Keddie.

Then they spent seven years buying up various parts of Manar’s common areas to expand their palatial footprint.

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There’s quite a bit of work to do …

You simply can't go wrong with it.

Talk about a pleasant surprise.

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 00:00:13 +0000

Talk about a pleasant surprise.

Quirky Melbourne ‘tower of power’ apartment boasts designer glam — from Rolls Royce to Roberto Cavalli

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 23:11:00 +0000

Level 15, 99 Spring St, Melbourne, is located inside an apartment complex dubbed the “tower of power”.

A quirky Great Gatsby-style Melbourne apartment that could easily rival a Baz Luhrmann film set’s glamour and luxury is for sale with a $7.25m-$7.975m price guide.

The two-bedroom home at Level 15, 99 Spring St, is full of big-name designer features and historic curiosities ranging from handmade Roberto Cavalli wallpaper to a circa-1932 Rolls Royce handle fitted onto the kitchen’s concealed 100-bottle Vintec wine fridge.

Built in the 1970s, 99 Spring St was one of Melbourne’s first high-rise residential complexes.

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Nicknamed the “tower of power”, former residents include Australia’s first billionaire Robert Holmes à Court, media tycoon Kerry Packer, music producer Bill Armstrong, businessman and philanthropist Sir Ian Potter, restaurateur Branco Tocigl and retail king Norman Rockman.

Abercrombys’ Michael King described Level 15’s melange of art deco, mid-century, Parisian and New York influences as “real estate art”.

“When I first walked it, I thought it was a film, it looks like something out of The Great Gatsby or a Baz Luhrmann film,” he said.

“It’s maximalism at its best, it’s the antithesis of modern day apartments with wall-to-wall beige.”

Alexander McQueen, Roberto Cavalli and Boco Lo Bodo Europe are some of the designers whose fittings and fixtures feature in the apartment.

The views of Melbourne are stunning.

Level 15, 99 Spring St, Melbourne - for herald sun real estate

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Seriously, these "just don't sell these days."

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 22:00:26 +0000

Seriously, these "just don't sell these days."

Why surging property prices in this mining town could signal opal resurgence

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 21:00:00 +0000

Taylor Swift’s tick of approval, a hit reality TV show, and the possibility of unearthing a fortune – it’s the recipe for a real estate windfall that’s seeing a remote opal town experience property price momentum.

When it comes to mining towns, Australia has plenty of heavy hitters that have travelled the highs and lows of the resources roller coaster, but there are a handful of hidden gems currently shining during the recent turbulence for iron ore prices.

Coober Pedy in South Australia and Lightning Ridge in NSW have long been known for their opal deposits but the tyranny of distance and lack of vital amenities have kept a lid on both population numbers and housing values.

Now, however, as the precious stone is back in fashion and these remote towns gain better infrastructure, locals say there’s a bright future ahead.

Opals under the spotlight

In December 2023, pop megastar Taylor Swift was gifted an opal ring for her 34th birthday - which happens to be boyfriend Travis Kelce’s birthstone.

“When I was bullied in school, my mom used to take me to T.J. Maxx after school to look at the opal jewellery,” she told Us Weekly in 2017. “I thought opals were so beautiful, and somehow it made me feel better.”

The trendsetter has been snapped wearing earrings with opals, the astrological gemstone of Venus believed to promote healthier relationships and increase creative potential.

Taylor Swift's opal ring has been making waves since last year. Picture: Taylor Swift/Instagram

Given Australia is home to roughly 95% of the world’s opal deposits, it’s no surprise a gem-related TV show popped up down under.

The smash hit, Outback Opal Hunters, ran for nine series in more than 100 countries.

“That program has generated a huge amount of interest and attracted tourists from all over,” said Misty Mance, Coober Pedy-based agent from Andrews Property.

Unearthing the value of Coober Pedy

Opals were discovered in Coober Pedy in 1915 and since then the remote South Australian destination 850km north of Adelaide has been known as the “Opal Capital of the World”.

Opals were discovered in Coober Pedy in 1915. Picture: Getty

The town of just under 1,500 inhabitants is also famous for another rare subterranean feature – 60% of its houses are underground.

“Dugouts save hugely on running costs because they stay about 23 or 24 degrees all year round. An above-ground house can be fantastic, but you need great insulation and you rely heavily on air conditioning,” Ms Mance said.

“For a lot of tourists, it’s an adventure to live this way. They want that experience whether it's for one day or a couple of weeks.”

The unique lifestyle hasn’t hurt property prices with the median 12-month dwelling value rising 29.7% to $103,750, according to PropTrack.

Currently, more than 70 Coober Pedy properties are listed on realestate.com.au between $50,000 and $450,000 with vacant residential blocks from $15,000.

“For the past couple of years, the market has been very fluid. There's been movement and there haven't been any flat spots,” Ms Mance added.

“We’re quite a seasonal town so from March or April through to October or November, depending on the year, it’s a busy time due to the cooler weather.

“We've got miners here year-round, some come for six months, some for five years - others stay a few weeks and say ‘I'm out here, it's too small and too dusty!’”

The home at Lot 101 Kami Road, Coober Pedy is on the market for $215,000. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

Due to the transient population and steady tourist trade, Ms Mance said the rental demand remains strong, feeding the rest of the market.

“You need strength in a rental market to have a good sales market. We also have some of the cheapest housing prices in Australia, which is a drawcard too.”

Low-cost real estate can often be attributed to few employment options and limited amenities, however, Coober Pedy’s landscape is changing.

The town is about to gain a $970,000 renal clinic; Telstra is laying the groundwork for a 5G network; and last year BHP opened a copper mine at Prominent Hill 137km away.

The Lot 101 Kami Road home is a four-bedroom dugout with natural sandstone patterns. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

“We've got a beautiful laidback lifestyle, great weather and some interesting things to see and do. If you get tired of town, there’s now a bitumen road which takes you in all directions.”

An alternative lifestyle in Lightning Ridge

In NSW, 722km northwest of Sydney, another opal hot spot, Lightning Ridge, offers buyers a lifestyle change or gem-related investment opportunity.

“Rentals and sales ha

Park Orchards: Resort-style property with stunning pool and two garages up for grabs for $5.8m

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 21:00:00 +0000

The full property at 192-194 Berringa Rd, Park Orchards spans across more than 4000 sqm.

A luxurious resort-style entertainer’s paradise in Melbourne’s northeast that has hosted more than 100 guests at a single event is on the market with a $5.5m-$5.8m asking range.

Woodards Manningham director Stasi Adgemis said the owners of the five-bedroom house at 192-194 Berringa Rd, Park Orchards, designed and built the home about seven years ago.

“They took inspiration from living and travelling quite a bit overseas and seeing beautiful homes,” Mr Adgemis said.

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“I’d definitely say it’s resort-style living, that is how the home has been designed and lived in.”

Outdoors, a pavilion featuring a timber-lined ceiling and kitchen looks out over the pool, spa and sundeck.

192-194 Berringa Rd, Park Orchards – for herald sun real estate

Feels like you’re sitting in a hotel lobby, but you’re really in your back yard.

“They’ve had well over 100 people there to entertain,” Mr Adgemis said.

A poolside studio boasting a veranda, bathroom and kitchenette offers accommodation for guests or extended family.

Upon arriving in the main abode, visitors are welcomed into a foyer where they can look up into the soaring timber-lined void, while the living room offers garden views and a fireplace.

A home cinema and a teenager’s retreat provides plenty of room for younger generations to enjoy themselves.

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The kitchen is well-equipped for both family meals and dinner parties, containing a 5m-long stone island breakfast bar which has an attached Red Gum dining table.

192-194 Berringa Rd, Park Orchards - for herald sun real estate

Jellis Craig Geelong auctioneer Marcus Falconer described 20 Lawton Ave, Geelong West, as “gem”.

A young tradie will put his carpentry skills to good use resurrecting a Victorian-era Geelong West home crying out for renovation.

The chippie and his partner became the latest to nab a rundown house in the neighbourhood after purchasing 20 Lawton Ave for $890,000 during post-auction negotiations on Saturday.

Buying at the bottom of the market saved the East Geelong couple a considerable sum as the three-bedroom house traded for $50,000 less than it sold for just nine months ago.

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The vendors, neighbours who purchased the 404sq m property as a potential project last July, appeared prepared to cut their losses after relisting it with a $850,000 to $925,000 price guide.

Jellis Craig Geelong agent Marcus Falconer said the “beautiful old girl” clearly needed a major overhaul but the reward was a position in what he described as Geelong West’s best street.

He said renovated homes in the vicinity could fetch anything between $1.8m and $2.5m, depending on their quality.

“They bought it basically just to get into that location and again he was a chippie by trade,” Mr Falconer said.

The double-fronted Victorian-era home sold for $890,000.

The high ceilings are decorative detail have been retained.

“It’s certainly crying out for a renovation but it definitely had great bones. All the traditional features are there, they just need to be beautified and re-engaged.”

He said the deep north-facing back yard with rear lane access provided great scope for a future extension.

“With the amazing access off Waratah St, you dogleg straight into the back of the block and the entrance is a 6m span so there’s plenty of access for a future triple garage with a loft if you wanted,” he said.

The north-facing back yard was a drawcard.

12 Lindsay St, Angaston. Pic: realestate.com.au

It was love at first sight for Mark and Gillian Thomas the moment they first laid eyes on the Barossa’s iconic Hill House well over a decade ago.

The couple had been actively searching for a home to raise their two children after returning from a stint overseas, when friends suggested they check out the 1851-built Angaston estate.

The property at 12 Lindsay St, had been famously owned by renowned vigneron James Heggie and his family for more than 130 years, with the Thomas’s taking ownership in 2012.

“When we told friends that we were looking at coming up here, they suggested we take a look – as it was on the market at the time and had been for a little while,” Ms Thomas said.

“When they drove us past it, we just went `wow! That is really stunning’, so we called the agent and asked for a walk-through.

“Immediately, as soon as we walked through the house, we knew this was were we wanted to finish raising our family and find our role in the community.”

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12 Lindsay St, Angaston. Pic: realestate.com.au

Supplied Real Estate 12 Lindsay Street, Angaston. Pic: realestate.com.au

36 Langside Rd is marketed by Ray White Ascot agents Damon Warat and Nick Roche via an expressions of interest campaign closing May 10.

The three-storey home is the latest project by builder/developer Capital Luxury Residences (CLR) and recently won the Development Residential Property category of the Asia Pacific Property Awards for Australia.

The three-storey house is positioned high on Hamilton Hill

Designed by CLR director Alissa Birch in collaboration with Melbourne-based Mason Bright Architects, the contemporary abode spans 730sqm of living space.

Included are five bedrooms, four bathrooms and four-car garage plus mudroom, along with a gym area, smart home automation, an internal lift, and a spacious indoor-outdoor entertaining area with a fire pit and swimming pool.

But the stand-out feature is the breathtaking river and city skyline views captured from every level of the home.

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Ms Birch said high ceilings allowed natural light to flood the home, showcasing sophisticated interiors with a nod to minimalism.

“This project has certainly been a labour of love which has taken more than 12 months in planning, design, sourcing materials and fixtures and fittings from various locations all around the world and finally, construction,” she said.

“Our Hamilton Hill property draws inspiration from its prime hillside location at one of the highest points in Brisbane, offering a completely elevated level of interior design and amenity in one of Brisbane’s most prestigious riverside suburbs.”

Sleek interiors

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The grand residence was owned by Ray White Bulimba principal Scott Darwon, who said it was the first time he had taken his own home to market.

“As agents we can rock up with expectations but our sellers have so much work to do to get houses for sale which you can easily take for granted,” he said.

But the Hawthorne house is not the only iron that Holland and Cutting have in the red-hot property fire.

Golconda Property Group, the couple’s residential and commercial property development company, recently completed Beju Residences, a joint venture with K2 Projects and EM Design at Burleigh Heads.

“We have just sold and settled those four townhouses,” Holland said.

The myth that international students are the cause of the rental crisis has been busted in a new report.

—OPINION—

With people waiting to inspect rentals lining up around the block, much has been made of the current housing crisis.

It’s true that Australia’s rental market has never been so overheated. Vacancy rates across our major cities hover around one per cent while the cost of rent has skyrocketed. Put simply, there are less homes to rent and those renting are paying more.

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As the borders opened post-Covid and international students streamed back into Australian universities, many pointed the finger squarely at students. International students, some claimed, were the reason average Aussies couldn’t find a place to rent.

However that isn’t true. In a report released Friday by the Student Accommodation Council, the myth that international students are the cause of the rental crisis has been busted.

The causes of the housing crisis are many. There are structural problems exacerbated by changing lifestyles and family makeup, there are financial pressures and construction challenges, there are sluggish planning systems and cities that have grown in popularity but not housing availability.

International students make up only four per cent of the entire rental market in Australia. Domestic Australian students make up just over six per cent.

People who live alone make up thirteen per cent. But no one is calling on local university students to move out of the share house and back in with mum and dad, any more than we are telling singletons to pair up and move out of their bachelor pads.

In fact, a far bigger impact on rental housing availability has been the post-Covid trend to work from home. Second bedrooms are reserved for zoom-calls and house plants, not flat mates.

International education is an economic boon for our nation – contributing $25.5 billion per annum. Australia needs a strong economy to build the homes we need, yet some have suggested that capping international students and reducing this revenue is the answer to the housing crisis.

Student Accommodation Council executive director Torie Brown. Picture: John Feder/The Australian.

Australia’s reputation has also suffered as blame gets thrown around. The water cooler chat within student accommodation buildings reflects a fear that international students aren’t wanted here.

What gets said locally ripples overseas and into the countries we draw our biggest student populations from.

Australian households are changing. Fewer people are living in more homes. We have not built enough new houses and other living options to meet demand.

We need to grow the amount of student accommodation to provide greater housing options for students without forcing them to compete for private rentals.

It’s time to stop pointing the finger at international students, and instead point it at ourselves.

— Torie Brown is the Executive Director of the Student Accommodation Council.

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The post Why its time to stop blaming international students for housing crisis appeared first on realestate.com.au.

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World first virtual reality auction sells for $137k premium | why agent believes VR could take off

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 23:00:00 +0000

Melbourne auctioneer Greg Brydon wears VR goggles during an auction in Elwood. Picture: David Crosling.

The world’s first ever virtual reality auction has ended in a $1.487m win for the home’s owners.

And the technology could join live streams on the list of ways home sales are going hi-tech and changing the city’s real estate landscape.

Yesterday the vendors of a converted Elwood church saw everything their auctioneer saw for the first time since Robert Hoddle, the namesake of the city’s central business district road grid, began auctioning crown land in 1837.

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And Ray White master auctioneer Greg Brydon, who put on a “futuristic” virtual reality goggles headset to call the sale said he believed it will become part of the fabric of Melbourne home sales — in a few years time.

With a crowd of about 120 people watching, Mr Brydon received a $1.27m opening bid for the two-bedroom home at 3/30A Ormond Rd, but with five bidders competing it quickly reached the $1.35m asking price and shot past it to a $1.487m sale.

The auctioneer added that while he’d joked the goggles cost more than a $1000 bid made by one of the buyers during the auction, they had proven their worth when he was able to speak with his vendors inside the home and confirm they were happy for it to be called on the market.

“They confirmed that yes they were, with a big smile and a thumbs up,” Mr Brydon said.

The home sold to a downsizer relocating from Sassafras with her adult daughter, and both the buyer and the sellers shared a tearful moment after the sale.

Mr Brydon takes bids for the converted church. Picture: David Crosling.

While he noted there had been a loss of field of vision in his peripherals, by giving the bidders paddles and having a few agents in the crowd he had been comfortably able to manage the auction and keep an eye on the vendors.

“It’s not quite there yet, in terms of the look but also for buyers … they might not be comfortable being on film while in a high-pressure scenario,” he said.

“It might need a little bit more time. But I really do think this is the way of the future.”

If his prediction proves accurate, virtual-reality auctions could join live streams in bringing auctions into the 21st century.

Already market pundits have flagged the ability to stream auctions online as part of the reason why Melbourne has sustained soaring auction numbers in the aftermath of the pandemic.

While in the past 1000 or more auctions raised eyebrows, there are two more expected in the coming weeks — despite the real estate market traditionally becoming increasingly quiet after Easter’s long weekend.

By looking down Mr Brydon is able to visually check in with the vendors inside the home. Picture: David Crosling.

Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Jacob Caine said Melbourne hosted about 40,000 auctions ever year, but it hadn’t been until streaming had taken off that buyers had been given a way to watch more than one at a time in person.

Mr Caine added that he was also confident there were now more Monday-Friday auctions being held than ever before thanks to online streaming.

“So many of the technologies that have emerged and advanced during the pandemic are facilitating more convenience in the way we can conduct auctions,” he said.

PropTrack economist Anne Flaherty said the rise of streaming auctions online had broken down barriers, but while VR technology was being used to sell homes off-the-plan it was relatively untested in the auction market — making this week’s sale an important milestone.

Ms Flaherty added that with auction numbers up year on year in both Melbourne and Sydney as both cities recorded a lift in overall listings, streaming was believed to be “contributing” to the ability for real estate agents to use the sales method at a higher level.

Next week auction numbers will soar to 1208 and the following week is slated for 1222, marking an unusually busy start to May, according to PropTrack forecasts.

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Earlwood: Young couple say they paid an ‘insane amount’ at auction

Sat, 27 Apr 2024 05:53:00 +0000

A young couple who purchased a three-bedder in Earlwood say they paid an “insane amount,” for their new abode.

Julia and her husband Thomas purchased the Earlwood home for $1.822m under the hammer on Saturday morning.

“Do we think we just paid an insane amount of money for what this is? Yes, absolutely,” Julia said.

The home was hotly contested with 12 registered bidders, and three of them active.

The Californian bungalow was recently renovated, sitting on a small parcel of land with three bedrooms and one bathroom. All of the registered parties were either upsizers or first home buyers.

Winning bidders Tom and wife Julia felt they paid an “insane amount” for their new home. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Julia and Tom were upgrading from an apartment they had purchased in the Inner West four years earlier and were shocked by prices in the current market.

“Prices are ridiculous, people are paying way more than what things are worth,” Julia said.

Tom said they wanted to stay in Dulwich Hill but they had been priced out of the area.

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“It’s a bit of a double edged sword, you make a little bit (from selling) but you spend a bit more, unfortunately it’s the current climate we are in, and things are just going to keep going up,” he said.

Lead agent Adrian Tsavalas said there was a short supply of smaller entry-level properties in the area, making the competition fierce.

“It (bidding) started a lot higher than we were expecting and ended a lot higher than we were expecting too,” Mr Tsavalas said.

Eager bidders turned up to watch the Earlwood home sell under the hammer. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The vendors would not reveal the exact reserve, but Mr Tsavalas said from the opening bid of $1.65m they were on the market.

The auction was slow and drawn out, with the underbidder asking auctioneer Brad Heffernan to pause multiple times to plan his next bid.

The underbidder joked he was “adding suspense.”

Julia’s Dad, who was bidding on behalf of the couple, came back with fast and confident bids.

The final twenty bids were down to $1,000 increments.

“It was a bit ridiculous towards the end, but we got there,” Julia joked.

Auctioneer Brad Heffernan pictured trying to encourage the under bidder to pick up the pace. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Mr Tsavalas said the success of the auction was also the timing, as many vendors were putting off listing properties until after the Anzac Day weekend.

“I think they nailed the timing and the stars aligned for them today and that meant they got a lot more than what they were expecting.”

The vendors, who wished to remain anonymous, purchased the property in 2018 and spent time renovating the home.

“We didn’t really know what to expect,” the vendor said.

“When we first purchased the house we poured all our energy into renovations and creating what we did so we were unsure,” he said.

The renovated house at 48-50 Greville St, Prahran is on the market.

A Prahran house where both rock star Chrissy Amphlett and Carlton icon Ted Hopkins formerly lived at separate times is on the market with a $7.5m-$8.25m asking range.

The circa-1863 digs at 48-50 Greville St was home to The Divinyls lead singer during her career’s early days, while the late Hopkins resided there for about 15 years after his playing days were over.

The The Divinyls’ 1990 hit single I Touch Myself hit number one on the Australian music charts, number four in US and number 10 in the UK.

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The band was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.

Also a songwriter and actor, Amphlett starred alongside Russell Crowe in the musical Blood Brothers in 1988.

In 2001, she was nominated for a Helpmann Award, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia, for her portrayal of Judy Garland in The Boy from Oz musical.

Following Amphlett’s 2013 death after a long battle with breast cancer, a Melbourne laneway was named Amphlett Lane in her honour.

Original tessellated tiling in the foyer.

The green outdoor area.

Singer Chrissy Amphlett of band The Divinyls.

Hopkins, also a businessman, journalist and writer, is famous for scoring four goals in the second half of the 1970 VFL grand final between Carlton and Collingwood, helping his side to secure the premiership.

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Emily and Joseph Leggett who developed the now-demolished 1920s-era Leggett’s Ballroom in Prahran.

The owners have decorated the home with art collected from around the world.

1970 Grand Final. Carlton v Collingwood. MCG. Ted Hopkins is chaired off the ground.

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Outdoor spaces shine at renovated character home in Newtown

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 19:30:00 +0000

14 Noble St, Newtown, goes to auction on May 11.

Brilliant outdoor spaces beckon at a renovated Newtown home where an landscaped architect’s considered design creates year-round options for entertaining family and friends.

Vendors Dan and Tracey sacrificed a chunk of their character home’s back yard when they embarked on a substantial rear extension back in 2014.

But what they lost in square metres at 14 Noble St, Newtown, they more than made up for with the addition of a modern brick and timber clad living space that spills out onto two distinct outdoor areas and a kid-friendly lawn bordered by established gardens.

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Bi-fold doors create a seamless connection between the main lounge and a private north-facing patio and raised deck designed around an established kurrajong tree that provides ready-made shade.

“We have quite a few Christmases under that tree on the table. It’s quite nice out there on a nice day,” Dan said. “The back yard works really well once we have the back doors opened up from the living room.”

Opposite the kitchen sits another west-facing courtyard with a covered built-in barbecue and fridge that has proved a real highlight.

The barbecue area is a beautiful winter sun trap.

The rear extension makes the most of the north-facing back yard.

A Coco Flip pendant light hangs over the dining table.

“The barbecue areas is really designed for winter because you get that westerly aspect so it’s a little bit of a suntrap on a Sunday afternoon and it’s out of the wind so it’s ideal,” Dan said.

“We have got an electric remote control awning that goes out over that areas so in summer when that westerly sun comes over we have that awning that just goes out and provides the shade.”

In winter, nothing beats curling up by the Stovax fireplace that sits on a suspended concrete hearth in the living room.

Polished concrete floors lend an industrial note to this open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge area, where 3.3m high ceilings adorned with a Coco Flip pendant light echo the lofty dimensions in the front section of the home.

The late John Haigh of Haigh’s Chocolates. Picture: Supplied by Family

The pool area. Supplied

A cosy living space. Supplied

The luxe dining room. Supplied

“When we were clearing out the house we found a book with magazine cuttings from the 1950s that clearly served as the inspiration for the home, and it was very much that Palm Springs, cool 1950s vibe – that was the look they were after,” she said.

“My father loved Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and all of those crooners – they had this lovely aura about them and that was perhaps something he was channelling.

“It has been a wonderful family home and he was very proud of it.

“My father was very meticulous and he knew every inch of that property and had a large influence in the actual design and the footings – there are just no cracks, so he built that home to last.”

Sofia Vergara finishes final chapter with ex Joe Manganiello, sells LA mansion after $9m price cut

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 04:00:00 +0000

Sofia Vergara finally has unloaded the glam Beverly Hills mansion she shared with ex Joe Manganiello. Pictures: Getty

Sofia Vergara has bid farewell to her lavish Beverly Hills mansion, finally sealing the deal after a significant price reduction.

The actress, 51, clinched the sale of her seven-bedroom abode there for nearly $21m (US$13.7m), which is a considerable drop from her initial listing price.

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The property, once shared with her ex-husband Joe Manganiello, 47, saw its fair share of ups and downs on the market.

Originally acquired for US$10.6m in 2014, Vergara relisted the estate in January for a lofty $21.45m (US13.98m) only to slash the price in a bid to attract buyers.

The home spans more than 1,000 sqm. Picture: MLS/Realtor via Sotheby’s International Realty

Inside the home Vergara just sold for a loss. Picture: MLS/Realtor via Sotheby’s International Realty

This marks the end of a real estate journey that began when the couple first listed their marital home in 2022 for a staggering $30m (US$19.6m), later reducing it to $27.5m (US$18m) following their separation announcement.

While the residence boasts seven bedrooms and a plethora of extravagant amenities — including a sprawling pool, a spa and a full-sized gym — it seems its ties to Vergara’s past prompted the sale.

Sofia Vergara sells. Picture: MLS/Realtor via Sotheby’s International Realty

238-240 Glenmore Rd, Paddington will have a $14m price guide.

A mother and daughter’s ‘labour of love’ in Paddington is set to hit the market again after its record-breaking $14m sale fell through.

Brompton House at 238-240 Glenmore Rd exchanged last June and a caveat on the title lodged last October still shows international art adviser Richard Thompson as the purchaser.

However, it’s understood the sale’s not proceeding, and local sources advise the reimagined neighbouring residences will return to the market next week with the same agent that “sold” it last time, Maclay Longhurst, who’s since moved from BresicWhitney to be a director at Sotheby’s.

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Jacqueline Bailey and her daughter Lilly Van Lent put their “heart and soul” into the reno.

The glass and concrete rear extension opens to a courtyard with pool.

The guide will be the price that was agreed to last time — $14m — which, if achieved, will still be the highest price achieved for a house in the suburb.

Though, interestingly, six weeks after Brompton House exchanged last year, an apartment at 10/18 Flinton St, Paddington sold for $20m.

Jacqueline Bailey and her daughter Lilly Van Lent reportedly put their “heart and soul” into the renovation and the master bedroom, with its $20,000 Murano glass chandelier, was inspired by the Palace of Versailles.

Bailey bought 240 Glenmore Rd in 2015 for $3.725m and snapped up No. 238 for $5m a year later.

The master bedroom is apparently inspired by The Palace of Versailles.

Dysart, a scenic drive about 50 minutes north of Hobart.

The iconic retreat has hosted everyone from a flying fox, waterslide, bushwalking and low ropes course, corporate groups, families, sports teams and even weddings, given the historic chapel on site.

“Most people we meet that grew up in Tasmania, probably from the age of 30-ish up to the age of around 45, have all been there and have memories,” agent Simon Medina of Petrusma Property said.

“There's lots of stories about when they went to camp there when they were younger, like meeting their first girlfriend there, or things like that.”

The sprawling Woodfield Lodge property has three dwellings, as well as cabins and dorm accommodation. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

Now, the 6.5ha property nestled in the peaceful countryside is looking for a new owner to create fresh memories for visitors to treasure. It’s being offered for $1.475m-plus.

And with the amount of infrastructure on site - three dwellings plus cabins and dorm accommodation - the possibilities are endless, selling agents say.

The 6.5ha property is being offered for $1.475m-plus. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

“It was built like a retreat... it’s still been running as that, but on and off,” Mr Medina says.

“The last owners probably let that side of it run down a little bit. But the whole infrastructure and everything's still there for it.”

The St Paul’s Anglican Church was originally built in 1928. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

The main five-bedroom residence boasts two bathrooms, a spacious living area with open fire, stunning rock feature wall, timber staircase and wrap-around decks offering beautiful valley views.

Nearby a self-contained two-bedroom villa has a separate entrance, while the third residence, Honey Suckle Cottage, features three bedrooms and an outdoor deck providing serene rural vistas.

The park has a low ropes course, flying fox, waterslide and bushwalking. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy

The site also includes four self-contained cabins and six cabins with private bathrooms, several dorm rooms with a shared bathroom, a commercial kitchen, laundromat, dining hall, general store out buildings and chapel.

Onsite activities include a flying fox, waterslide, bushwalking and low ropes course.

Burwood East: Wentworth star Bernard Curry and wife Sonya bidding goodbye to mid-century-style family house

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 01:00:00 +0000

6 Pear Court, Burwood East, is being sold by Bernard Curry and wife Sonya.

Actor Bernard Curry and wife Sonya are selling their mid-century-style Burwood East house where he has filmed many audition tapes including for Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky.

The action thriller, co-starring Hollywood leading man Liam Neeson and Chinese megastar Fan Bingbing, recently wrapped shooting in Victoria.

Curry is known for several other movie and television roles including Wentworth, Neighbours, Home and Away, My Life is Murder and Savage River.

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His brothers Andrew, an actor, writer and producer, and Stephen, an actor and comedian, are also well known to Australian audiences.

In 2021, Curry and Sonya purchased their three-bedroom home at 6 Pear Court, the first house they bought together after falling in love with its proximity to the nearby reserve; the outdoor solar-heated pool for their sons to swim in; and the 1960s-build.

The solar-heated pool is a favourite spot for the children to enjoy.

Polished concrete floors and a fireplace feature in the living room.

14 Orley Ave, Stirling. Pic: realestate.com.au

Heritage property enthusiast Martin Hamilton-Smith is the first to admit that he is not someone to shy away from a challenge.

After all, he spent years in the cut and thrust of the elite military, before turning to South Australian state politics, where he served as the leader of the Liberal opposition and later as the Minister for Investment and Trade, Defence Industries and Veterans’ Affairs as an independent.

So when the chance arose to restore a 170-year-old sandstone villa at 14 Orley Ave, Stirling, Mr Hamilton-Smith – alongside his wife Stavroula Raptis – didn’t hesitate to preserve one of the region’s oldest assets for generations to come.

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“It had good bones when we bought it but needed a lot of love as it had been run down a bit over time and needed to be renovated appropriately,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.

“So over the years, we’ve pretty much done everything to it and turned it into a modern and comfortable home for a family to live in.

“Sometimes character homes are renovated out of character but we tried to keep it very much in character and two things that now really stand out is the ceiling in our bedroom (pictured as the study), which took two craftsmen four to five weeks to create. It’s quite exquisite.

“Another interesting period feature that we incorporated is the kitchen isle, which features 18th century hand carvings at each end.”

14 Orley Ave, Stirling. Pic: realestate.com.au

Supplied Real Estate 14 Orley Avenue, Stirling. Pic: realestate.com.au

So many deliciously chic solutions.

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:00:13 +0000

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Experts weigh in.

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:00:49 +0000

Experts weigh in.

Brisbane’s most family-friendly suburbs revealed

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:00:00 +0000

The top five suburbs in Brisbane for young families, where house prices fall below the city average, have been unveiled.

Latest data highlights these sought-after areas, which not only offer affordability but also meet the criteria of parents prioritising living near good schools, parks, and entertainment options, along with convenient access to the CBD and public transport.

A four-bedroom house at 1 Hallvard Cres, Augustine Heights sold for $775,000

Banyo in the city’s north was top-ranked, with a median house price of $872,00 and ratio of families to other homeowners of 27.7 per cent.

Rounding out the top five list by Place Advisory were: Murarrie (house price $992,000), Upper Kedron ($995,000), Middle Park ($925,000), and Chermside West ($875,000).

A typical house in each of the hotspots came in under the Brisbane LGA median of $1.05m, while family-friendly picks were also identified in the booming Greater Brisbane regions of Ipswich, Logan and Moreton Bay.

This home at 97 Tanglewood St, Middle Park sold for $895,000

Place’s survey found the number one factor common to families choosing where to live across Greater Brisbane was proximity to schools, whether being located in the catchment zone of well-regarded state schools, or close to private colleges.

The top suburbs also represented good value for money in comparison to neighbouring areas closer to the CBD.

Place New Farm managing director Sarah Hackett said cutting down on commute time to work, school and recreational activities was a high priority for busy families.

Place managing director Sarah Hackett

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“For many families now you have both mum and dad working, you are stretched for time, and having work and school closer to home has never been more needed,” Ms Hackett said.

She noted more families were opting for new or fully renovated homes over older houses, while a peak buying time was before the start of a new school year.

“Part of our [marketing] plan when we sell a house is to let parents of the schools in the area know. It always happens that there is a big surge at the beginning of the year, when people start thinking about commuting 40 minutes to get to school and the anxiety that comes with that.”

This Murarrie townhouse was marketed at offers above $899,000 and recently went under offer

PropTrack data shows houses in top-ranked Banyo were in hot demand, with 1539 buyers interested in every property listed, but just 77 houses sold in the past 12 months. House prices climbed 7.8 per cent in the suburb over the past year.

Recent sales in Banyo include a renovated low-set three-bedroom home on a 430 sqm lot, marketed as a “family starter” and snapped up for $885,000.

A 2020-built four-bedroom house on a 511 sqm block, described as a “luxury barn-inspired home”, sold for $1.591m.

Brisbane’s affordability trend for young families was reversed in the city’s outlying regions, where most of the sought-after suburbs were priced above the LGA median.

PropTrack’s latest Market Insight report shows surging demand in these areas, as househunters have widened their search on the back of huge growth in Brisbane, where prices have soared 63.1 per cent since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Ipswich was the second top-performing SA4 region in Australia, with home prices up 79.7 per cent over the same period, while Logan-Beaudesert (up 74 per cent) and Moreton Bay — North (up 69.6 per cent) were also among the strongest regional markets.

31 Myuna St, Leopold, is on the market for $1.25m to $1.35m after a major renovation.

A luxury renovation by an interior architect more accustomed to working on multi million-dollar Melbourne mansions is poised to add more than $600,000 to the value of a Leopold home.

Joshua Malcolm of Studio Jock turned renovator to transform his own original 1987 brick residence into a stylish sanctuary.

His love of contemporary Californian minimalism heavily influenced the calming design set among landscaped gardens at 31 Myuna St, Leopold.

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Mr Malcolm said he originally planned to make the 789sq m property his 10-year base but had since decided to list it for sale through RT Edgar, Bellarine agent Ashlyn Schweiger.

The four-bedroom home, which last sold for $586,000 in 2021, has a $1.25m to $1.35m price guide.

The listing will again test the top end of Leopold’s residential market following last month’s confidence boosting $1.6m sale of a standout custom-built home at 23 Cresta St.

Mr Malcolm said the top to bottom renovation had been a labour of love as he tackled most of the work himself, including constructing three separate outdoor entertainment zones in the large back yard.

The original ceilings have been painted in the lounge.

What a transformation since 2021.

88 Elizabeth St, Geelong West.

A big two-storey house described as a tribute to migrant living in Geelong West has been snapped up before going to auction.

Everything about the two-storey brick house at 88 Elizabeth St showcased the movement of particularly southern European migration to the inner Geelong suburb during the middle of the 20th century.

The substantial 1960s two-storey family home remains in almost original condition, with four bedrooms, three living rooms and balconies with views to the east and west.

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Set amid expanses of concrete and white pebbles, the interior was adorned with distinctive carpets, wallpaper and timber curtain pelmets and etched glass sliding doors.

Jellis Craig Geelong agent Marcus Falconer said the home had sold above its $850,000 to $925,000 price guide to a family relocating from the coast.

88 Elizabeth St, Geelong West.

“It’s a tribute to migrant living. It’s almost a museum piece, like it hadn’t really changed,” he said.

“Obviously a migrant family built it and it would have been the Rolls Royce of the day.

“It was hideous, but the Axminster carpet was as good as the day it was laid, so the quality of it and it was almost like a time capsule.

88 Elizabeth St, Geelong West, has sold.

“It was a mid ’60s build but it was quite substantive. It was a four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living area with a bar area as well, balconies and it was the Rolls Royce of the day.”

Distinctive orange and cream brick houses dotted through Geelong West are a lasting testament to the wave of migration, particularly Italian, that moved into then working-class Geelong West.

Mr Falconer said the buyers wanted a big home in Geelong.

546 D’arcy Rd, Carina was Queensland’s most viewed home listed for sale on realestate.com.au this week, and goes to auction on May 11.

Marketed by Torres Property agents, Jack Barrett and Damian Cochrane, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom house on a 607 sqm lot was the work of the late Eugene Bouel, a respected Brisbane architect whose commercial designs included churches, pubs and breweries.

The property has amassed an impressive volume of interest

It’s on the market for the first time since being built

The jazz den has a cosy fireplace

Mr Bouel and his wife, Fay, raised three daughters, Shauna, Donna, and Tracy, and remained at the family home until their respective deaths in 2017 and 2022, aged 86 and 88.

With just under 200 sqm of living space over two levels, the home is finished in vivid colours and textures, with features including stucco walls, louvred windows, and extensive built-in furniture.

An elevated dining platform sits under high timber-lined ceilings, while a studio and bar open onto a large entertaining patio and garden courtyards.

Floating timber stairs lead to ‘the jazz den’ , a downstairs lounge with plush furnishings and a cosy fireplace, where the owners hosted soirees for their local jazz club.

Late owners, Eugene and Fay Bouel

Mr Barrett said the property had attracted huge interest from local families as well as interstate buyers, among them many drawn by the distinctive Modernist architectural style made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright.

“We had 109 groups through the first open home inspection, so it will be a very, very intense auction by the looks of things,” said Mr Barrett.

“It is ridiculously rare to see a home with such classic appeal that has been as well maintained as this.

“Generally, they are very run down and need a lot of work, so this really is a one-of-a-kind home for the area.”

Shauna Bouel said her ingenious father single-handedly built the property, rigging up pulleys to lift heavy beams, with construction stretching over several years from 1966.