A Lower Mitcham mansion on more than 5000sqm of botanic garden-like land has sold for a record-breaking price just 10 days after hitting the market.

Ashleigh House at 12 The Grove hit the market with a price guide of $8m to $8.8m – a staggering $5m more than the suburb’s record.

According to property records, Lower Mitcham’s previous top sale was set by the property at 53 Grange Rd in 2012 when it changed hands for $3.2m.

Selling agent Jamie Brown, of Booth Real Estate, wouldn’t reveal the sale price of Ashleigh House but said it smashed the previous record.

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“It was sold in the first 10 days of the campaign,” he said.

“It was very well received – there was good energy on it before there were any inspections.

“When you’re out by the court and you’ve got the backdrop of the Hills, you really feel like you could be in Los Angeles.

“It will date well too – a lot of homes that have big extensions look good but don’t work well.

“This home, the floorplan actually works very well for larger families.”

Mr Brown said the buyers were local but the home attracted interstate interest as well.

He said large estates so close to the CBD were almost unheard of, prompting significant interest, even from those not typically looking to buy in the underrated suburb.

Vendors Andrea and Darren bought the almost 150-year-old home in 2013 and set about more than doubling its footprint, adding a magnificent open-plan living space with a designer kitchen and a sunken lounge with a feature fireplace.

An impressive wine room and home theatre was created in the new basement level and there’s also a new master bedroom that overlooks the lush gardens, with a dressing room and large ensuite with a spa.

The original 1880 home has become secondary sleeping quarters, with three bedrooms, all with ensuites, and an additional living room.

Outside, Andrea and Darren installed a heated swimming pool and spa and a floodlit, north-south tennis court.

There’s also a home gym and sauna.

Andrea said despite its near city location, the property felt more like a serene country estate, with plenty of room “for the kids to kick a soccer ball or a football without having to head to the local oval’’.

On at least two occasions, the property played host to Adelaide’s Porch Sessions, a series of roaming pop-up music events held throughout suburban backyards from 2013 to 2022.

Andrea said the home had also hosted every family Christmas, Easter and birthday event since she and Darren had moved in with their-then school-aged children.

“We’ve had great family times here, particularly with the tennis court and the pool,’’ she said.

“It’s a house that really brings people together but there’s also quiet moments, when you can just enjoy sitting around the pool or in front of the fire.”

– by Lauren Ahwan with Jessica Brown

The post Lower Mitcham mansion’s million-dollar sale price breaks suburb record appeared first on realestate.com.au.

South Australia’s regional property market is tipped to stand out this year, with a national report revealing its one of the front runners for price growth.

The latest Hotspotting Price Predictor Index for Autumn reveals regional SA and Darwin have the best prospects across the country for homebuyers and investors.

The quarterly report by property analyst and Hotspotting director Terry Ryder analyses sales data in every suburb and town across Australia to determine where prices are likely to rise, decline or remain consistent.

Mr Ryder said research showed regional SA continued to deliver quietly consistent results, with two thirds of the market classified as rising.

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“The data also reinforces a growing theme – the best opportunities for growth aren’t always in the largest or loudest markets,” he said.

Hotspotting general manager Tim Graham said sales activity in the state’s regions has increased consistently quarter by quarter, with a 28 per cent jump in the December quarter, bringing overall annual growth to 47 per cent.

“Two thirds of markets in regional SA are performing positively in transaction levels, with only one market categorised as declining,” he said.

Kingston SE’s housing market was declining, while the Alexandrina LGA, Middleton, Hindmarsh Island, Victor Harbor, Moonta Bay and Wallaroo were among the standout regions.

Harris South Coast director Mark Forde said prices across the area had surged over the past few years but any further growth wouldn’t be as rapid.

“We’ve seen unprecedented growth over the last four years and … demand for the area still remains really strong,” he said.

“I don’t see (prices) going backwards but I see them holding.

“We’re coming into a more normal market with the new price points we’ve experienced.”

Mr Forde said it was important to remember that demand for certain types of properties would attract high prices but not all.

“If you’ve got something the market really wants it will take off and there will be multiple buyers for it,” he said.

“For prime waterfront, the demand is very strong.

“What we’re finding is days on market are starting to blow out too.”

Meanwhile, the Hotspotting report said Adelaide was expected to retain its position as one of Australia’s longest-standing growth markets.

“Transaction levels surged by 18 per cent in the December quarter and are now 37 per cent higher than a year ago – outpacing even the 2021 Covid-19 boom,” Mr Graham said.

More than half of Adelaide’s markets are considered rising, with the only declining ones in Blakeview, Elizabeth East, Ferryden Park and Seaford Meadows for houses, and North Adelaide for units.

Marion, Charles Sturt, Mitcham, Onkaparinga, Port Adelaide Enfield, Tea Tree Gully and Salisbury were the city’s leading LGAs.

The post Hotspotting reveals regional SA property market front runner for price growth in 2025 appeared first on realestate.com.au.

An escape to the country. A statement in bold design. A private retreat. A luxe way to live.

This is a home that comfortably wears many hats.

When designing and building this sophisticated slim home on a leafy 5ha, its owners made sure to carefully consider every detail.

From the position on the block to the orientation, from the materials used to the stunning architectural flare, every I was dotted and every T was crossed.

The three-bedroom modern masterpiece is listed for sale with The Property Culture co-founder and agent Karl Gallienne, who says the exquisite home is a credit to his vendor’s creativity and vision.

He said a key feature is the long and thin design.

“As you walk into the living area — with glass on both sides — you will discover beautiful views to the south and sunny warmth from the north. This lights the view up perfectly.

“The owners built on the property’s top back corner to give them the best height for that northern exposure, and the view over their property, the treetops and to the river.”

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Mr Gallienne noted the matt black gourmet kitchen and the marvellous materials as standout features.

And then there are the bathing areas.

At one end of the home, the master bedroom’s private deck is equipped with a luxe outdoor bathtub. The parent’s retreat also has built-in storage, app-operated lighting, and underfloor heating in the ensuite

The ensuite and main bathroom boast skylights that bring the outdoors inward.

“You can look up and see blue skies or the stars — it’s special,” Mr Gallienne said.

“The whole ceiling of the shower is a skylight, which gives you the feeling of showing outside.”

At its core, the home features an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area that serves as the heart of the home.

Soaring ceilings and expansive windows create a sense of spaciousness.

Energy efficiency is a key feature, with high-level insulation and double glazing throughout.

A wood fire adds warmth and ambience to cooler evenings, while reverse-cycle airconditioners in each bedroom allow for individual temperature control.

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Low-maintenance black cladding contrasts with warm Tasmanian oak floors, which have been laid at an angle for added visual interest.

The sleek black kitchen is practical and stylish, featuring integrated appliances, a concealed walk-in pantry, and brass accents that add a touch of sophistication.

Two additional bedrooms share a bathroom at the opposite end of the house.

A breezeway connects the main residence to a separate studio, which could serve as a fourth bedroom, artist’s retreat, or home office.

The laundry is cleverly concealed within this connecting space.

Multiple decks provide outdoor living options.

The main deck extends from the open-plan living area, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow through large sliding glass walls.

It overlooks landscaped gardens on one side and captures views through the home on the other.

The property is accessed via a winding country road through tall trees, leading to a sunny clearing that offers complete privacy.

The majority of the acreage is covered by low-maintenance native trees.

Located in the Huon Valley, the property is a short drive from the historic township of Franklin.

The town offers a selection of eateries and cafes, providing convenient amenities within reach of this secluded hilltop retreat.

This Franklin property presents a rare opportunity to own a contemporary home that harmonises with its natural surroundings while offering modern comforts and breathtaking views of Tasmania’s picturesque landscape.

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Mr Gallienne said the property has caught the eye of Tasmanian and interstate buyers alike.

“We have had a good level of interest, quite quickly,” he said.

“It is the type of private home that appeals to interstate buyers who are looking for a holiday home, or to relocate here.

“There are still a lot of buyers, particularly QLD-based people, looking at all that Tasmania offers and that includes finding a way to escape the heat.”

No.173 Lloyds Rd, Franklin is priced at “Offers over $1.275m”.

The post Sleek leafy retreat ticks privacy, luxury and creativity boxes appeared first on realestate.com.au.

A pocket-sized Newtown property could prove to be the ultimate bargain buy in Geelong’s most blue-ribbon suburb.

The $621,000 sale for the modest two-bedroom house at 16 Bond St might seem a trifle cheap, considering it close to half of Newtown’s $1.15m median price.

But Gartland Geelong agent Will Ainsworth said he did the sums that show the sale represented incredible land value.

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Mr Ainsworth said the ex-rental home is definitely a starting point for the first-home buyers.

It presents two bedrooms, a tidy kitchen complete with a dishwasher, and a small but updated bathroom with a shower over the bath that’s accessed through the laundry.

A narrow driveway is at the side of the house, leading to a small backyard on the 202sq m block.

The aluminium clad house is close to Kardinia Park, and walking distance to the Pakington St shopping and cafe precinct.

Mr Ainsworth said the initial quoted range had to be lowered to $500,000 to $550,000 to suit the market for first-time buyers, who ultimately came to the party.

“It was hard to find comparable sales at the start to work out what it might be worth,” he said.

“We started where we thought it was and then we brought it back a little bit because the interested buyers weren’t there in the price point.”

Mr Ainsworth said the auction opened at $450,000.

“I did some sums very quickly. We worked out to be around $3000/sqm and then I looked at the house next door, which they’re rebuilding and about to put the slab down. They bought that around 15 months ago for $800,000, that was about $1900/sq m.

“You can look at the size of it, or the work required. But at the end of the day the local that you’re buying in is premium. It’s in one of the best pockets of Geelong.”

Mr Ainsworth said the buyer intended to renovate.

It was the cheapest home to sell in Bond St in five years.

“In time, people look will back and say that was a very smart acquisition.”

The block of land is essentially a townhouse site, whereas the neighbours are building a bespoke home on the larger site, he said.

The post Pocket-sized Newtown home will pack punch for buyer appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Second Century Ventures, the investment arm of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has announced the eight startups selected for its 2025 REACH technology accelerator program.

The annual initiative — which aims to advance innovation in the real estate sector — focuses on scaling companies that provide digital solutions for the residential and commercial real estate markets.

REACH program, launched more than a decade ago, provides select companies with access to education, mentorship, networking opportunities and exposure across the global real estate market.

Since its inception, the program has supported more than 300 companies, with expansion into commercial real estate and six global markets since 2019.

“REACH serves as a strategic lens into where innovation is heading and how emerging technologies will shape the broader real estate landscape,” said Mark Birschbach, NAR’s executive vice president of strategic business innovation and technology.

“Our work with these companies reflects a long-term commitment to fostering ideas that influence markets and unlock new possibilities.”

The eight companies accepted into the 2025 REACH program include:

• Foyer, a financial technology firm offering tools to help consumers save to buy a home, including a “401(k) for homeownership” concept and personalized guidance
• Guest House, a platform that automates home preparation services such as staging, cleaning, photography and moving to help real estate professionals bring listings to market faster
• Infinityy, a system to create AI-driven, 24/7 interactive property and neighborhood experiences at the city scale to help engage and qualify prospective buyers
• NEO, a multilingual sales and marketing platform for new construction, designed in partnership with real estate associations and MLSs
• Pitch59, a digital tool allowing real estate professionals to use video PitchCards for networking, introductions and referrals
• Pixlmob, a curated platform that connects agents with verified photographers, editors and AI tools for high-quality visual content
• Tether RE, a safety platform offering real-time monitoring, SOS alerts and background checks to protect agents throughout the transaction process
• QwikFix, a service that converts home inspection reports into repair quotes, with jobs fulfilled by licensed contractors

“Industries evolve by innovating. The eight companies selected for the 2025 REACH program have the potential to drive meaningful change across real estate now and well into the future,” said Ashley Stinton, managing partner of NAR REACH.

“With a range of solutions that drive efficiency, streamline business operations and enhance the consumer experience, these technologies are empowering real estate professionals to operate thriving businesses and better serve their clients.”