With 7.24 million Americans out of work in July and payroll growth slowing, the Fed is expected to pivot from fighting inflation to preserving jobs.
Hopes are fading for another RBA rate cut, but borrowers can save up to $700 a month with a simple trick.
Higher than expected July inflation numbers have widely been seen as the end of hopes for another cash rate cut at the RBA’s next board meeting in September.
Experts are urging borrowers to be proactive if they want to score some extra savings leading into the warmer months.
And motivated borrowers will be rewarded, as lender competition continues to intensify, believes Sally Tindall, Canstar data insights director.
“The bottom line for borrowers is, if you’re hoping for another rate cut next month, you might have to take action yourself,” Tindall said.
“Despite inflation nudging up, lenders are still competing for new home loan customers, with the new lowest variable rate in our database dropping to an ultra-competitive 4.89 per cent.
“It’s not the only lender putting competitive rates on the table. The Canstar database shows almost 30 lenders currently offer at least one variable rate under 5.25 per cent for owner-occupiers paying principal and interest.”
MORE:Rich v poor- surprising impact of rate cuts revealed
Rates on some standard variable home loans are now below 5 per cent for owner-occupiers. But don’t expect one of those deals from any of the big four banks. The best rates come from lenders that many Australians won’t have heard of.
SCROLL DOWN FOR 10 BEST VARIABLE RATES ON MARKET
Canstar’s Sally Tindall said borrowers should take action to access big savings. Picture: Tim Hunter.
Canstar and Finder both track the best variable rates out of up to 110 lenders. Both have Easy Street as the lender with the best deal, an impressive 4.89 per cent. Finder’s top 10 variable rates on the market sees Horizon Bank and Police Credit Union (both 4.99 per cent) next best after Easy Street, followed by Police Bank and Border Bank (both 5.09 per cent), and on 5.14 per cent, Pacific Mortgage Group and RACQ Bank.
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The Mac (5.17 per cent), Qudos Bank (5.19 per cent) and Bank First (5.24 per cent) round out the top 10.
Stack those deals up against the average variable rate being paid by existing owner-occupiers, which Canstar estimates to be 5.54 per cent, there are significant savings to be made.
For example, someone with a $1 million mortgage could save $145,000 over a 30 year home loan by switching to a 4.89 per cent deal at Easy Street.
The simple switch would mean an extra $400 a month in their pockets.
And that’s just switching from an average rate. There are plenty of people out there still paying 6 per cent or more.
A borrower on a 6 per cent deal now, would save about $700 a month by switching to that best deal, and a staggering $250,000 over the life of the loan.
Top 10 variable rates on market
Easy Street- 4.89%
Horizon Bank- 4.99%
Police Credit Union- 4.99%
Police Bank-5.09%
Border Bank-5.09%
Pacific Mortgage Group- 5.14%
RACQ Bank- 5.14%
The Mac- 5.17%
Qudos Bank- 5.19%
Bank First- 5.24%
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Any effort to help first-home buyers get a foot on the property ladder is welcome, but could the 5% deposit scheme work harder to help the nation’s overall goals?
Earlier this week, the federal government announced that its expanded Home Guarantee scheme will start from 1 October 2025, rather than in 2026 as it was originally announced.
The scheme will see the government guarantee a portion of a first-home buyer’s home loan, so they can get into the property market with a lower-than-average deposit and avoid paying lenders mortgage insurance (LMI). Buyers will be able to buy with as little as a 5% deposit.
Substantial savings for home buyers
The savings here are expected to be significant. In 2025, first-home buyers who take out lenders mortgage insurance incur an average of $25,000 in additional costs. Some first-home buyers are paying as much as $42,000 in LMI to get into the property market.
In the first year alone, first-home buyers using the scheme are expected to avoid around $1.5 billion in potential LMI costs, according to government modelling.
Purchase price caps will apply depending on the location where a buyer is looking to purchase, but there are no income caps on eligibility.
Industry insiders have welcomed the scheme while also acknowledging that this will have the effect of putting more money into certain market segments, therefore pushing prices up.
While that will cause a level of short-term pain for buyers, the Housing Industry Association commented that in the long-term, this program is expected to contribute to moderating house price growth.
That’s because first-home buyers who decide to buy a new home, rather than an existing one, will contribute to driving the production of new homes and therefore have a positive impact on supply.
“There can be no doubt, that at least in the short term, that this announcement will see home prices rise. Removing the requirement for LMI provides FHB’s with an extra $25,000 in their deposit and will see more FHBs active in the market from 1 October 2025,” said HIA chief economist Tim Reardon.
But Mr Reardon also noted that approximately a third of all new homes are bought by FHBs. LMI, he argued, reduces FHBs ability to gain a loan, and therefore “reduces the number of new homes commencing construction”.
So, how long will it take to see positive impacts flow to the market?
According to the Treasury, it’s estimated that it will six years for the short-term uplift in prices to be offset by the increase in supply that will lower those prices.
Mr Reardon estimates that the time-frame is closer to three years, due to the ongoing nature of the scheme.
While similar impacts were seen with government incentive programs such as HomeBuilder, they operated for a fixed-term and therefore had a “draw-forward” impact, incentivising buyers to act and therefore putting more participants in the market at a particular time.
With the Home Guarantee, buyers will not have to change their buying plans in order to take advantage of the scheme.
“The consequence of this difference in assumptions is that HIA estimates the short-term appreciation of home prices in FHB markets will be relatively small,” Mr Reardon said.
A missed opportunity?
But whether it takes six years or three years for the gains in new homes to offset the impact of price increases, the question for some is: if an integral part is increasing supply, why not make it the target of the scheme?
According to Dennis Vertzayias, partner and director of Laver Residential Projects, the scheme is ultimately to be commended but could have done more.
“In the long term there’s no question that it will have a positive impact in getting more people into homes. However, where I think there’s probably fallen short, is that it should really be directed to brand new properties,” he said.
In Mr Vertzayias’ view, the Home Guarantee misses the chance to kill two birds with one stone, and avoid the issue of even short-term price inflation.
As a project marketer, he is in constant contact with developers, and according to the clients he’s been talking to “the biggest issue at the moment is obviously construction costs are up, but there’s also a massive concern from builders that the retail market is not there,” he said.
The money that will soon be in buyers’ hands thanks to the LMI savings could have been directed entirely into the new homes market, concentrating demand in the new homes sector rather than spreading it through the existing market.
“The only way we’re going to slow extreme price growth and inflation is by evening out supply and demand, and we cannot do that without more supply.”
Are you interested in building or buying new? Check out our dedicated New Homes section.
The post How price increases could have been avoided with the government’s 5% deposit scheme appeared first on realestate.com.au.
A huge neighbour war is brewing in one local Australian council after a petition was launched to punish caravan owners.
Sunshine Coast Council is seeking advice from the Queensland Government after residents lashed out at caravan owners who park their rigs in residential areas.
The petition, currently signed by more than 1000 disgruntled residents, is calling on the council to properly regulate what they term “long-term and unsafe on-street parking of caravans, campervans and motorhomes”.
“The increasing number of caravans and large recreational vehicles being left on public streets for extended periods — sometimes for weeks or months — significantly reduces the availability of essential on-street parking for residents and their visitors,” the petition reads.
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The petition is calling for better regulation of caravans.
“These large vehicles frequently obstruct sightlines for drivers at intersections, junctions, and private driveways, creating a serious safety risk for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.
“When parked on narrow streets, they can impede the access of emergency service vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks.”
While the council has asked the government for guidance, the government has handballed the issue back to Sunshine Coast Council.
“Queensland law authorises local governments to regulate parking in their area, including enforcing parking on state-controlled roads,” a government spokesman told Sunshine Coast News.
“This ensures parking is tailored for local community needs. Local governments can regulate parking by installing official signs or making local laws.
“Parking is only regulated at a state level in circumstances where consistent rules are required across the state.”
Neighbours complained about this caravan parked on the nature strip along the residential road in Ocean Reef, Perth. Source: Facebook/Eddy Luquero
Sunshine Coast Council is continuing to consider resolutions to the caravan issue, however, it is a war that has the potential to erupt across Australia.
More and more Baby Boomers are taking up a caravan lifestyle as they opt to leave their home behind and travel the country.
Termed ‘grey nomads’ this demographic of retired Australians is continuing to grow, meaning more and more caravans are being brought into residential areas across the country.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Tourism Research Australia indicate there are more than 9.5 million Australians over the age of 50 and many of that cohort are taking up caravan and motor home lifestyles.
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Travis Kelce’s dad, Ed Kelce, has revealed new details about the NFL star’s romantic proposal to an “antsy” Taylor Swift, including that his $9.2 million (US$6m) Kansas abode served as the backdrop for the special moment.
Swift and Kelce, both 35, revealed the exciting news of their romance on 26 August in a joint Instagram post, which saw the “So High School” singer posing in a striped gown.
Hours later, Ed, 74, let fans in on some of the secrets of their big day, confessing that Swift has been hiding the proposal for “two weeks.”
While speaking with News 5, Ed revealed that his son got down on one knee “maybe two weeks, not quite two weeks ago” at Kelce’s Kansas City dwelling.
“He was going to put it off till this week. I think she was getting maybe a little antsy, but he was going to put her off till this week, to, you know, make some grand thing, to make it a big special event.
“And I told him repeatedly, you know, you could do it on the side of the road, do it any place that makes it a special event … when you get down on one knee and ask her to marry you,” he revealed.
It comes as no surprise that Kelce chose to ask Swift to marry him at his home, as it boasts an overwhelming amount of privacy and lush greenery—two things the pop star is known for adoring.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end snapped up the 1,579sqm (17,000-square-foot) mansion in the desirable suburb of Leawood, KS, in September 2022 for $9.2 million (US$6m).
Located inside a gated community, the grand estate sits on 1.4 hectares at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac.
The six-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion sits behind a gated entrance that opens to a dramatic circular driveway. The inside is an entertainer’s dream and includes a chef’s kitchen, formal dining room, media lounge, wine cellar, and full bar.
Outside, the expansive backyard is anchored by a “Beverly Hills-style” pool area with plenty of space for lounge chairs, umbrellas, and pool toys.
There’s also an outdoor kitchen, a tennis/pickleball court, waterfall, hot tub, and miniature golf course.
The abode is far more secluded than his other home in Kansas City, a 390sqm (4,200-square-foot) abode in the city’s Briarcliff West neighbourhood that he purchased for $1.5m (US$995,000) in 2019.
The NFL star, who began dating the “Lover” hitmaker in 2023, popped the question with a stunning diamond rock that perfectly matched the other sparkler that he previously gifted her.
They captioned the Instagram post, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”
According to TMZ, the sparkler on Swift’s finger is an old mine brilliant cut and the designer is Kindred Lubeck.
Kelce perfectly matched Swift’s chic aesthetic by sporting a navy blue collared shirt and a pair of white pants.
The singer appeared to be overjoyed with the proposal as she embraced Kelce in a slew of photos while showing off her stunning diamond ring.
In one photo, Kelce could be seen kneeling among a garden of roses while Swift appeared shocked.
In another snap, Swift softly grabbed her lover’s face as she leaned in to give him a hug.
The newly engaged couple even posed for a photo on a swing, where Swift laid her head on Kelce’s shoulder and gave the camera a soft smile.
According to Page Six, the engagement has been in the works for quite some time, with Kelce having reportedly asked Swift’s dad, Scott, for her hand in marriage just months after they began dating.
The news of their engagement comes after Swift made a surprise appearance on her now-fiance’s podcast, “New Heights,” which he co-hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce.
It also comes just months after Swift achieved her goal of buying back the rights to her music.
By Kelsi Karruli
This article was originally published on realtor.com
The post Inside Travis Kelce’s luxe $9m Kansas City mansion where he proposed to Taylor Swift appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Racehorse owner and high-profile businessman Lloyd Williams celebrates after Rekindling’s win at the 2017 Melbourne Cup. Picture: Stuart McEvoy.
Seven-time Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd Williams has farewelled his luxury city penthouse for $17.7m.
Mr Williams holds the record as the horse owner to have won the most Melbourne Cups, including with Twilight Payment in 2020.
His other thoroughbreds also galloped to victory in the race that stops a nation in 1981, 1985, 2007, 2012, 2016 and 2017.
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In 1994, the billionaire businessman established Crown Casino.
He later sold the majority of his interests in the site to his friend, the late media tycoon Kerry Packer and his son James Packer.
Mr Williams put his one-and-a-half-floor Melbourne residence featuring marble floors and custom-made panelled walls on the market with a $20m-$22m range in March.
Public records show the property in an Albert Rd complex nicknamed the “Tower of Power”, due the number of richlisters and business bigwigs who have called it home, fetched a sum just below $18m.
The penthouse offers views across Melbourne.
Lloyd Williams, his grandson Frank, strapper MJ Doran and trainer Joseph O’Brien pose with Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling at Werribee Racecourse in 2017. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.
Kay & Burton chairman Gerald Delany, who had the listing alongside colleague Oliver Booth, declined to comment on the owner or purchaser.
But Mr Delany said the 1280sq m penthouse boasting a main bedroom with a two walk-in wardrobes and an ensuite, a wine storage area and views across Melbourne, had attracted inquiries from both local and overseas buyers.
“I had broad interest, the campaign wasn’t very long,” he said.
“To have an apartment like this is a rarity, a penthouse that’s at the top – or among the top one-and-a-half floors of a building, and that’s why I had the interest I did – there’s probably only two or three others like it in Melbourne.”
The property’s lower level has its own balcony as well as a granite-fitted kitchenette and wine storage.
There’s plenty of space to store clothing and accessories in the walk-in wardrobe.
The new owner, who is based internationally, flew in to Australia to inspect the abode.
Mr Delany said many of the potential buyers were amazed by the residence’s views which take in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake and Port Phillip Bay.
He added Melbourne’s prestige market was starting to warm up as spring approached.
“The top end of the market is seeing good strength in buying demand,” he said.
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A young Aussie influencer has sparked a national conversation after revealing the shocking hidden cost of home ownership that left her “fuming” – and it’s something every first homebuyer needs to know about.
Celeste Healey, a Melbourne-based model, was on cloud nine after finally stepping onto the property ladder.
The dream of owning her own home was a reality. That is, until her first mail delivery arrived, delivering a brutal dose of reality.
“This is a thing called council rates,” a visibly stunned Celeste explained in a now-viral TikTok video.
“I’m about to pay $411 for my recycling bins – the general bin, the mixed recycling bin, the gardening bin.
“I didn’t realise that when you buy a house you have to pay to breathe.”
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Celeste vented about her first council bill in a TikTok video. Photo: TikTok/@celestejoan
She also expressed disappointment at the lack of education she received about ongoing housing costs.
“Why didn’t they teach this in school?” she questioned, highlighting a common lament among first-time buyers.
“That’s my first payment. There’s going to be a lot more where that comes from.”
The video, boldly captioned “buying a house is a scam,” has exploded across social media, racking up over 560,000 views since it was posted last week.
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The fact she had to pay for rubbish collection caught her by surprise.
The comments section has also quickly became a confessional for other homeowners who’d experienced similar shocks. “Fees upon fees upon fees,” one user commiserated.
“I was so confused when I got my first council rate letter hahhahahaha,” another admitted.
But the real eye-opener came from those paying significantly more.
“What a bargain, would love to move there. Currently paying $6k,” one person wrote, putting Celeste’s $411 into stark perspective.
The hidden costs that catch Aussies out
Council rates are just one piece of the complex financial puzzle that often blindsides new homeowners.
These essential payments fund vital local amenities, including waste disposal, public libraries, parks, roads, drains, and streetlights.
However, the list of ongoing expenses extends far beyond just rates.
Homeowners must also budget for land tax, utility bills – such as water, electricity, and gas – home and contents insurance, ongoing maintenance costs, and strata fees.
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These recurring costs can easily add thousands of dollars annually on top of your mortgage repayments, turning the dream of home ownership into a financial tightrope walk for the unprepared.
And let’s not forget the “hidden costs” of the buying process itself.
Stamp duty, building and pest inspections, conveyancing fees, home loan application fees, and even moving costs all need to be factored in before you even get the keys.
Have you been caught out by unexpected home ownership costs? Share your story my emailing lydia.kellner@news.com.au
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Australia’s homes are facing a silent, insidious enemy that could be wiping thousands off their value and posing serious health risks: mould.
Following an unusually wet winter and with a La Niña watch now issued, experts are warning that properties across the country are ripe for infestation, turning dream homes into potential money pits.
New data from Airtasker reveals a startling 12 per cent surge in mould removal tasks over the past three weeks, a clear indicator of the growing problem. But the question on every homeowner’s lips is: where are you most at risk?
Airtasker has undertaken a comprehensive analysis, scrutinising internal data on mould removal jobs, Google search trends, climate factors like humidity, rainfall, and temperature, and even dwelling conditions, to pinpoint Australia’s “mouldiest” regions.
The findings are a wake-up call for property owners.
Sydney’s eastern suburbs crowned Australia’s mould capital
Topping the list with a staggering ‘mouldiness score’ of 61.32 out of 100 are Sydney’s exclusive Eastern Suburbs.
This affluent area, known for its harbour views and high property prices, is now also notorious for its hidden fungal problem. Several other Sydney districts feature prominently in the top 10, including the City and Inner South, North Sydney and Hornsby, the Northern Beaches, and the Inner West.
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The 10 mouldiest regions in Australia. Source: Airtasker
CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW YOUR STATE COMPARES
The grim reality of this mould crisis was recently laid bare in a shocking case from Coogee, right in the heart of the Eastern Suburbs.
A 73-year-old retiree, who had been living in his public housing unit since 2016, found himself trapped in a nightmare.
Black mould, described as “crawling across the walls and carpets like something out of a horror flick,” had consumed his home.
His friend and carer, Grace Thomas, revealed the man was “broken, and had given up,” resorting to placing tarps and rugs on the floor to avoid the “squelch underneath his feet” from the pervasive dampness.
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A mould infested Coogee home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Picture: Supplied
The white toilet sits in stark contrast to the mould infested walls. Picture: Supplied
Despite repeated reports to the housing authority between 2019 and 2024, the problem persisted, with only temporary fixes offered. I
t wasn’t until the man’s electricity was cut due to “water in the walls” that the full horror was exposed.
An independent mould specialist report in October last year confirmed the environment was “not safe for human living.”
It’s not just Sydney feeling the damp squeeze
Queensland’s tropical and subtropical havens, Cairns, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast, along with northern New South Wales’ Richmond-Tweed region, also rank among the nation’s top 10 mould hotspots.
Anthony Johnson, certified mould remediation specialist on Airtasker, said mould is notoriously difficult to get rid of once it takes hold in the home.
Even after scrubbing surfaces clean, spores can linger in the air or deep within walls, floors, and fabrics.
If the underlying moisture problem isn’t fixed, the mould often returns making it a persistent and costly problem for households in these high-risk regions.
“Tackle mould the right way,” he said.
“For small patches, supermarket mould sprays and a dry cloth can usually take care of mould on walls and corners. But for larger infestations, or when mould appears on porous materials like couches, mattresses or other furniture, it’s best to call in a professional.
“Different surfaces require different treatments, and a professional can ensure the mould is removed properly while preventing it from returning.
“This is important because, if not effectively treated, mould can release spores that may lead to health issues when inhaled – ranging from allergies and respiratory problems to neurological symptoms such as headaches and brain fog.”
Living in a mould infested home can lead to a number of health problems.
Mr Johnson also advises to keep humidity under control.
“Mould thrives in warm, damp environments, so keeping humidity under control is key,” he said.
“Ideally, indoor humidity should sit at around 60 per cent – but it must stay below 70 per cent, as once levels hit 80 per cent or more, mould can grow rapidly.
“To reduce humidity in the home, simple steps like installing a dehumidifier, fixing leaks promptly, drying clothes outside, using airconditioning, and improving airflow can make a big difference.”
The post Australia’s mould crisis: The suburbs most at risk appeared first on realestate.com.au.
Homebuyers are skipping an extra check that could save them thousands, says Matt Taylor of Next Wave Plumbing Solutions
The new owners of a Gold Coast home looked on in horror as water flooded the double-storey property just hours before they were due to settle on their $1.3m purchase.
The “shocker exchange” as the owners stood gobsmacked on the kerb prompted a tradie to issue an urgent warning to homebuyers about serious property flaws often missed by standard building and pest reports.
Next Wave Plumbing Solutions director Matt Taylor, who fixed the Upper Coomera leak, said the culprit was a corroded small flexible hose under the upstairs vanity – a $5.20 item from Bunnings.
A leak caused flooding to a Gold Coast house hours before it was due to settle
Mr Taylor said new carpets, laminate floor tiles, downstairs ceilings and walls, and electricals were damaged as water seeped through both levels, creating the potential for mould to set in.
While the vendor’s insurance covers most damage, their profit will take a hit. Had the hose burst hours later, the new owner would have faced the repair bill.
But the horror story was not isolated, with Mr Taylor attending another emergency call-out for a local home that had just changed hands for $1.1m.
This time, the silent menace was monster tree roots blocking drains beneath the home.
“A buyer took possession midweek, tenants moved in yesterday, flushed the toilet, and a blockage bubbled up through the shower. Thankfully, they called before messy damage,” Mr Taylor said.
Tree roots were blocking pipes underground
Muck bubbled up through the drain when the toilet was flushed
Tree roots the diameter of a 50-cent piece had breached three metres of pipes, causing significant blockage and an estimated $5,000 repair cost.
“It is unlikely the old owner wouldn’t have known or experienced blockages before. The roots caused the whole house to be blocked up, which doesn’t happen overnight,” Mr Taylor said.
“Ultimately, the new owner might have knocked the price to repair off the purchase price or would have walked away from the house if they’d had a plumbing inspection.
“Two doozies in one week — we feel so sorry for the families moving into their new homes.”
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Mr Taylor said most home buyers did not realise standard building and pest inspections only covered a fraction of a home’s plumbing and drainage.
A dedicated plumbing inspection, conducted alongside the building and pest report, would identify hidden issues, allowing buyers to demand repairs as a condition of sale.
“Now, instead of moving into their new home and starting the next chapter of their lives, the purchaser will need to contend with the vendor’s insurance assessors and contractors to fix the extensive and preventable damage,” he said.
A dedicated plumbing inspection carried out alongside the building and pest reports can avoid potential major damage (house pictured not associated with incidents outlined in article)
Next Wave charges $465 for a pre-purchase plumbing inspection.
Florence Labadens, of White Sand Buyers Agency, said the cost was a valuable investment as part of a prospective homeowner’s due diligence before making an offer.
“Not many buyers are doing this, but a plumber can uncover major issues beyond what a standard pest and building inspection would,” Ms Labadens said.
“For the majority of people, buying a property is one of life’s biggest financial investments and you want to make sure you are not going to find any costly surprises.
“Our job is to protect our clients and it makes absolute sense.”
Water-related damage, from burst pipes to overflowing drains, is Australia’s most common household insurance claim, according to Canstar.
Water-related damage is Australia’s number one household insurance claim (house pictured not associated with incidents outlined in article)
The post The $5 flaw that flooded a $1.3m home: Tradie’s urgent warning appeared first on realestate.com.au.
20A Thornton St, Darling Point needed a reno when the owners bought it four years ago. Take a look at it now.
When retired financial planner Jeannie McKenzie and her husband John bought a circa 1940 garden duplex four years ago, it needed some love.
They paid $5.13m, having been won over by the P&O or Ocean Liner style of the three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence with double parking at 20A Thornton St, Darling Point.
Intending to live in it during their retirement, they undertook a lavish million-dollar reno, completely gutting the 179sqm property and fittted it out in all the best finishes.
But they’ve now listed it with Ray White’s No.1 agent, Oliver Lavers, with a $5.75m auction guide.
“They’ve had a change of plan, deciding to spend more time at their Avoca property,” Lavers says.
MORE:
The reno extended outside as well as inside.
The residence has 179sqm of internal space.
“It’s a beautiful downsizer property — when you think of Darling Point, you think big skyscrapers with a large number of residents.
“But here there are only two, so you have control of the strata.
“The property across the road has been valued at $60m, so they’re your neighbours, but here you’re getting into the Darling Point market at around $5.75m, you’ve got your own piece of land, and this is an extremely high quality reno.”
The residence comes with an 82 sqm garden on title and a tandem garage with room for two cars.
The design features a geometric shape, curved windows, ship-railing balustrades, a parapet roof (in part) and glass brick window features.
The building has stunning external and internal features, with the reno both inside and out.
The internal renovation continues the art deco theme, including the kitchen and bathrooms. The contemporary gardens also reflect the art deco theme.
The vendors have done a reno that cost close to $1m.
There’s 82sqm of garden on title.
The property is on a level ground floor with stunning inclusions, and an attractive garden with city glimpses.
The kitchen comprises Calacatta Viola marble benchtops, and a beautiful white onyx cocktail bar.
There’s a butlers’ pantry and open-plan dining and lounge rooms.
The timber floors feature Tasmanian Oak parquetry in the large entrance and the lounge room.
It’s a 10-minute walk to Darling Point ferry, which gets you to Circular Quay in 15 minutes.
Ascham school is a 10-minute walk and it’s 15 minutes to Edgecliff station.
Only the best finishes were used as the vendors had intended to continue living there.
There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms and double parking.
Lavers says it’s been a slow start to spring in terms of listings.
“But buyer demand is extremely strong … anything coming to market has been achieving strong prices,” he said.
He’s just sold a four-bedroom home on a 458sqm block at 15 Courtenay Rd, Rose Bay for $10.1m, which had previously traded for $4.1m six years ago.
And another home at 97 Dover Rd, Dover Heights had fetched just under $9m.
“At Courtenay Rd, we had 36 groups through the first inspection in the middle of a thunderstorm, so buyer demand is strong,” Lavers said.
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