Birkenhead property captures buyer’s attention thanks to rare inclusion of an auction price guide

Interest in a Birkenhead character home has been so huge it has one selling agent rethinking how he approaches auctions in the future.

The most-viewed property going to auction across the nation this weekend is a classic 1900-built character home at 87 Victoria Rd, Birkenhead, on the market with a price guide of $595,000.

That’s rare for selling agent Thomas Crawford of Crawford Doran, who as a general rule doesn’t advertise price guides for homes he takes to auction, but he said the interest he had seen as a result of including one has made him consider the tactic moving forward.

87 Victoria Rd, Birkenhead. Supplied

The character home has set the market on fire. Supplied

“I think the price is a big thing – it’s priced really well and I’ve got very, very realistic vendors,” Mr Crawford says.

“The vendor used to be in real estate so she knows where the market is.

“She wanted the price on there actually – I don’t advertise a price for auction but maybe I might have to take a leaf out of her book because obviously it’s working really well.

“It’s definitely something that I might start to consider, especially at this end of the market.

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“On anything under $1m you might well might as well price it now because it’s only going to do you good because there’s not much you can buy.

“When it’s auction and there’s an advertised price, buyers know the reserve then as well, so they know that the vendors are not just bluffing, that they mean business, and that if they’re on the market at this level, they will sell it at this level.

“When you’ve got a best offer campaign and it’s got a price, they still don’t have to take it even if it’s $200,000 above – with auction, at least you know they’re serious.”

The updated kitchen. Supplied

A cosy living space. Supplied

One of the bedrooms with its character fireplace. Supplied

Mr Crawford said he had taken more than 100 groups through the home, with interest coming predominantly from local first homebuyers.

He said it was this price, and the property’s enormous potential, that had captured buyers’ attention.

“It’s got a lot of character and there’s a lot of potential – you could extend it, you could expand the footprint that’s there and it’s in an area that obviously is getting more popular by the minute as people want to move closer to the beach and the coastal lifestyle,” he said.

“It’ll sell and it’ll go really well.”

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Meanwhile, SA is gearing up for a bumper auction weekend, with more than 140 properties set to go under the hammer in the next couple of days.

According to PropTrack data, 142 properties will hit the auction block this weekend.

It is a bump on the 133 auctions scheduled for last weekend, and 17 more than next weekend when there are 125 properties scheduled for auction.

87 Victoria Rd, Birkenhead. Supplied

The bathroom with scope for further improvement. Supplied

The spacious rear yard. Supplied

Of the 142 to be auctioned this weekend, 134 are from metro Adelaide, while the other eight are from regional SA.

Adelaide has a four-way tie for SA’s top auction suburbs, with Croydon Park, Fulham Gardens, Kilburn and Para Hills each having four scheduled across the weekend, while Andrews Farm, in Adelaide’s north, has two.

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This year’s homebuyers need larger rate drops for refi benefits

Homeowners who bought in 2025 with the expectation of refinancing may not see savings unless interest rates fall by at least 0.75 percentage points, according to a report released this week by Neighbors Bank.

The national analysis modeled typical refinance scenarios across all 50 states using a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage of 6.8%, an average loan amount of $386,339 and $5,458 in closing costs. It found that smaller rate declines often fail to deliver short-term benefits.

Under the modeled scenario, a drop of 0.25 percentage points left borrowers $2,424 underwater after three years. A drop of 0.5 points resulted in break-even status after 3.08 years.

A decline of 75 basis points allowed borrowers to break even in just under three years, while a drop of 100 basis points delivered break-even status in 20 months and $4,764 in net savings.

“Many assume that any drop in rates is enough to justify refinancing, but the math tells a different story,” said Jake Vehige, president of mortgage lending at Neighbors Bank. “Unless you’re seeing a significant drop, refinancing may not make sense right away.

“The break-even point isn’t just about the rate. It’s about how long you plan to stay in your home, how much you pay upfront and where you live.”

The report noted that borrowers in high-cost housing markets such as California, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii reap the greatest five-year savings because their typically larger loan sizes magnify the impact of lower rates.

Borrowers in New Hampshire — with average loan amounts of $430,247 — see nearly $3,000 more in five-year savings through a 0.5-point drop than those in Louisiana, where the average loan size is $252,075.

table visualization

The study also found that 15-year mortgage holders break even faster than 30-year borrowers, while conventional loan holders generally save sooner than those with government mortgages through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

For example, a borrower with a 15-year loan would see $1,350 in net savings after three years from a 50-bps drop, compared with a 30-year borrower who would still be $184 in the red.

Refinance timelines also vary by state due to differences in loan sizes, property taxes, insurance and closing costs. The analysis also noted that borrowers in every state eventually break event within five years, although the savings levels differ.

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RealReports, Doorify MLS announce AI-driven partnership

RealReports has partnered with Doorify MLS — extending its property data and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to roughly 14,000 brokers and agents across five Realtor associations in and around North Carolina’s Research Triangle.

The agreement gives Doorify subscribers access to the RealReports platform, which combines datasets such as tax history, zoning, permits, climate risk and liens with AI-driven features.

This includes a virtual adviser that can analyze disclosures, summarize documents and interpret property photos.

“At Doorify, we’re committed to fast-tracking our Subscriber’s access to new technology,” Matt Fowler, CEO of Doorify MLS, said in a statement. “RealReports is the perfect complement to our vision, delivering unmatched property insights, contextual AI, and seamless integration into an agent’s workflow. By combining our platform with RealReports’ depth of data and cutting-edge AI capabilities, we’re investing in knowledge.

“No one is likely to know more about a parcel in the Triangle than a Doorify subscriber with the help of RealReports. Doorify Subscribers are expected to be the undisputed experts. RealReports is an investment in making our data more accurate and our subscribers more informed.”

RealReports co-founders James Rogers and Zach Gorman said the agreement reflects a shared focus on innovation amid a flurry of new partnerships this year.

“Doorify MLS is exactly the type of forward-thinking partner we love working with,” Rogers said. “Their willingness to embrace innovative tools aligns perfectly with our mission to arm agents with everything they need to thrive in today’s competitive market. This partnership is about more than adding data, it’s about transforming data into a tangible edge for every subscriber.”

“In today’s market, you either know the most, or you’re losing to someone who does,” Gorman said. “Our platform ensures that Doorify MLS members have the deepest, most actionable insights possible, all in one place. The synergy between Doorify’s nimble, progressive MLS model and our AI-powered ecosystem is a blueprint for the future of the industry.”

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Melbourne mansion with CBD views seeks next custodian

A grand Melbourne home with stunning views originally listed for $16 million in 2022. Now buyers have the chance to snap it up for almost half the price.

Sitting along Newport’s Golden Mile – a waterfront strip littered with multi-million-dollar mansions – the property has been home to restauranteur John Mousaferiadis and his family for more than 30 years.

The home has sweeping water and city views. Picture: realestate.com.au

Designed with entertainment in mind, Mr Mousaferiadis says he understands why his property has been on the market for a while: it has a pretty limited buyer pool in a market that has been sitting idle.

“People from the east don’t want to come over to the west. It’s a home for a young family but one who has the money. That’s what the issue is,” Mr Mousaferiadis told realestate.com.au.

He said the size and demands of his palatial five-bedroom, six-bathroom home overlooking the bay at 78 The Strand Newport also isn’t for everyone.

“It’s a big property on 1,157sqm so it requires a lot of maintenance. You need to find that right person with the right resources to maintain it.”

The outdoor space is an entertainer’s dream with full cabana, palm trees, outdoor pool and sauna. Picture: realestate.com.au

But the house is well worth it, he says, with his favourite things about his home being the open plan layout, outdoor entertaining zone and city views.

“It’s an entertainer’s house, especially the rear of the property with a full cabana, palm trees, huge outdoor pool and sauna. We’ve had parties of hundreds of people here over the years.

“The house also has water features inside and out, there’s floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms — and a marble-floored garage.”

A grand entrance is framed by a showcase garage with Carrara marble flooring. Picture: realestate.com.au

Mr Mousaferiadis paid $300,000 for an old property on the block back in 1991. Together with his late brother, he built his dream home and has lived there with his family ever since.

The upper level houses the living and dining area, where full-height windows boast panoramic views to the port and city skyline beyond. There’s also a granite kitchen with Miele appliances, an integrated fridge and walk-in pantry, while a master bedroom features a walk-in robe and ensuite with a double vanity and spa bath.

Full-height windows capture panoramic views. Picture: realestate.com.au

The property also includes four additional bedrooms, each with an ensuite, a spacious billiard/trophy room, a music room, a marble staircase with a chandelier, and a separate study or sixth bedroom overlooking the pool area.

A luxe marble staircase with chandelier leads to the light-filled open plan living, dining and kitchen area. Picture:

The outdoor space is a highlight, showcasing a pool surrounded by sandstone and palms, an outdoor kitchen with a built-in barbecue, sauna, and even a heated cigar area.

Additional luxuries include a Bang and Olufsen sound system, powder rooms, custom joinery, automated internal blinds in living spaces, security gates, full garden irrigation — and that marble-floored five-car garage.

With Mr Mousaferiadis wanting to downsize, he originally listed his home for $16m in late 2022. Since then, house prices in Newport have gone backwards as Melbourne’s property market underperformed the other capital cities.

He’s since dropped the asking price to between $8.5m and $9m and recently switched to agent Leigh Melbourne at The Agency Williamstown.

The home sits on Newport’s Golden Mile, The Strand. Picture: realestate.com.au

Mr Melbourne says the home’s sheer size and magnificent views sets it apart.

“It’s probably one of the biggest homes on the Strand. It’s very well-built and strong, a landmark property of Williamstown. Everyone knows it.”

Mr Melbourne is optimistic about the sale, having recently set a suburb record in August by selling the elegant Edwardian home at 89 Esplanade for an undisclosed sum.

Outdoor entertaining. Picture: realestate.com.au
Spectacular views from the kitchen. Picture: realestate.com.au

Mr Melbourne said the area’s high-end properties usually attracted local buyers, who were willing to pay for a prime location.

“Last year, several non-waterfront properties sold for close to $4 million, even though they were slated for demolition to make way for new family homes.”

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David Keener’s vision for Premiere Group at Real Brokerage

On this week’s episode of the RealTrending podcast, Tracey Velt talks with David Keener, CEO of Premiere Group at The Real Brokerage.

In just eight years, Premiere has grown to nearly 300 agents in 27 states and recently joined Real.

Keener explains how the group’s member-owned teamerage model drives retention and shared success, as well as why shifting to a C corporation strengthens agent involvement and shareholder value.

He also shares how Real’s API tools, business intelligence and ancillary services like mortgage and title are creating new opportunities for agents.

The following conversation excerpt has been edited for length and clarity.

Velt: I want to talk a little bit about your teamerage. You describe Premiere as a member-owned, agent-centric teamerage and you’re with Real. Tell me a little bit about your team and the culture.

Keener: We’ve been with Real for about a year and eight months now. We actually span across 27 different states, just shy of 300 agents. Most of that growth occurred over the last four years. We were at about, I think, 1,750 to 2,000 transactions a year. We just hit over $1 billion in volume. It’s been a pretty exciting time, to say the least.

Velt: OK, go into a little more detail about how you’re structuring it and how that works.

Keener: Yeah, so it is probably the No. 1 question I get — how is it that we have such a high retention rate? Because this is real estate after all, right? Every two years, an agent starts getting a little itchy and looking at the grass on the other side. I’ve been in business, building businesses for about 30 years. Prior to the real estate industry, it was in technology.

Keener explained that his experience with stock options in the tech world inspired the model for Premier.

Keener: During the course of building those businesses, these were W-2 employees. One of the things that we were able to do with those employees that were helping me build these businesses was stock options in lieu of a full salary. Because let’s face it, money is very important, very tight when you’re starting out. So we equipped them with stock options — in other words, a vested interest in our collective success.

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ARMs remain a small share of mortgage loans despite viral 41% claim

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) often get more attention when rates climb, but don’t fool yourself: their actual footprint in the U.S. housing market remains modest. 

Since a Zero Hedge tweet saying that ARM loans now make up 41% of mortgages held by U.S. banks went viral on Sunday night, the mortgage community has been abuzz with confusion. HousingWire Lead Analyst Logan Mohtashami addressed the rumors in this episode of the HousingWire Daily podcast on Monday.

“That tweet set off a firestorm,” Mohtashami said.

The reality? “If you look at the purchase application data, whenever rates go up, the ARM percentages do pick up, but they’re like never above 10%, where in 2002 to 2005 that thing rose up. But the debt, the mortgage growth volumes, are so low that if you really want to use a per-capita basis, it’s really low,” he said. “There’s actually no mathematical way to have 41% of all the mortgages in America to be ARMs.”

Data backs him up. A Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis white paper released on Aug. 7 confirmed that more than 90% of U.S. mortgages are fixed-rate loans, unlike countries such as Sweden and Canada, where ARMs or short-term products dominate. 

“Zero Hedge presents a consistently negative outlook — doom porn,” Mohtashami said. “I’m fairly certain that the 41% of adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) loans relates to multifamily lending. However, like many doomsday narratives, they failed to mention this detail — likely because focusing only on residential single-family lending would not be as sensational.

Another report, this one from the Dallas Fed, notes that “most residential mortgages in the U.S. have 30-year fixed-rate terms, a unique feature of the U.S. housing finance market.”

ARMs are gaining traction though

Still, ARMs are gaining traction. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), ARM applications rose 85% year over year in the week ending Aug. 22, but that still only represented 8.4% of all applications.

Screen Shot 2025-08-27 at 4.39.53 PM

Lower ARM rates are attractive since the average ARM rate came in at 6.19% that week, below the 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 6.86%. These loans typically lock in a lower rate for an initial period — such as five years on a 5/1 ARM — before adjusting based on a market index, which means payments can rise or fall over time.

In addition, Mohtashami said that today’s ARMs look very different from those tied to exotic loan structures during the housing bubble. In addition, borrowers now have to qualify for the adjusted rate, not just the lower initial rate, so there is less risk in today’s ARM loans than in the past.

“Back in the run-up from 2022 to 2005, you could see the ARM percentages were rising, except the real problem was the ARMs percentages were going with exotic loan debt structures and guidelines being very poor.” 

With short-term rates edging lower and long-term rates staying elevated, Mohtashami expects ARM growth to continue — but within a far smaller share of the overall market than the buzz might suggest.

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Block star lifts lid after ‘cheating’ scandal

Can comforts Han after they are accused of stealing Sonny and Alicia’s idea.

The Block team accused of cheating by copying another couple’s design ideas has lifted the lid on how the cast really got on behind the scenes during filming of the 2025 series.

Han and Can were accused of stealing ideas this week after revealing their plans for a heated seat at the Hepburn Springs Day Spa.

A furious Alicia and Sonny accused them of ripping off their original plans only for Han and Can to plead ignorance.

Behind the scenes footage painted a different picture, though, with Han and Can shown to have conspired with their tradespeople to replicate their neighbours’ work.

Can needed some alone time after the copycat scandal came out.

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The Block host Scott Cam spruiked the 2025 season before it launched as a more mature group of contestants who would move away from the drama that plagued season 2024.

A few weeks in to the new season, though, and cracks are beginning to show.

Despite the ruffled feathers Han and Can have caused, the duo told Yahoo the cast dynamic in 2025 had been great and viewers weren’t seeing everything that went on behind closed doors.

“It really did become a little Block family,” Can said.

“Of course, there were some tense moments, big personalities, high stakes, and zero sleep will do that, but behind the scenes, there was so much laughter, support, and fun that didn’t always make it to air.

Matching tattoos the cast of The Block 2025 got after filming wrapped.

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“We all went through something so unique together, and that bond is really strong.”

Can said the cast celebrated the series wrap with a holiday together and they all got matching tattoos.

“The friendships, the growth, and the memories are things we’ll carry forever,” Can said.

Given Han and Can’s ability to bend the truth, it will require confirmation fro other contestants as to whether everything really has been sunshine and rainbows behind the scenes – the fallout from the ‘cheating’ claims aired this week are anything but.

Claiming to be “disgusted” to be viewed as a person who would steal an idea, Han threatened to leave the show.

Can, meanwhile, apologised to Alicia saying it was all a misunderstanding.

“I am not allowing them to sit in the van and cry saying they want to go home,” Alicia said. “You did this knowingly. Don’t bulls**t me.”

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Even though the Queenslanders hadn’t yet sighted any incriminating video evidence, Alicia and Sonny were not falling for the girls’ story.

Sonny simply said Han and Can were dead to him.

“They are not sorry, they are sorry they got caught,” he said.

As proof of their innocence the girls offered to give Sonny and Alicia the $260,000 caravan prize should they triumph with their copycat design.

Sonny and Alicia just saw this as further proof of guilt. Because who would give someone their prize if they had done nothing wrong?

Plus, Alicia and Sonny didn’t want anybody’s sloppy seconds. The pair had worked long and hard to get their heated seat plan approved by Hepburn Springs management and were hungry for their first win.

“Today is the day The Block changes, I am p***ed,” Alicia fumed. “I am unleashed.”

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Inside artist’s transformed Sandringham house with a studio

20 Victory St, Sandringham - for herald sun real estate

The heated, salt water pool in the back yard of 20 Victory St, Sandringham.

Artist Ali McNabney-Stevens and her family have transformed a 1970s-era bayside house into a haven of creativity and relaxation.

Originally from the UK, Ms McNabney-Stevens studied at the Edinburgh College of Art.

She now runs a busy art practice and is represented by the Studio Gallery Group in Australia

and Dimmitt Contemporary Art in the US.

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Her work has appeared in Belle, House & Garden UK and Vogue Living magazines, and has been exhibited across Australia.

Ms McNabney-Stevens said the four-bedroom house at 20 Victory St, Sandringham, has been home to herself and her husband, plus their three children and two dogs, for about eight years.

One of the first things that attracted Ms McNabney-Stevens and her husband to the

abode was its proximity to both the beach and Haileybury College.

“Being a late ’70s brick and concrete build it had great bones to work with beautiful light and large windows,” she said.

“We have done a lot of renovating, enlarged the footprint of the home, added new flooring, a kitchen, bathrooms, pool and landscaping.”

20 Victory St, Sandringham - for herald sun real estate

The property includes a double garage plus a driveway with automatic gates.

20 Victory St, Sandringham - for herald sun real estate

The black-toned kitchen cabinetry contrasts with a green splashback.

20 Victory St, Sandringham - for herald sun real estate

A fireplace keeps one of three living areas cosy.

The reno also turned one of the home’s former bedrooms into an art studio that floods with “golden light” during the day.

Elsewhere, the house features three living areas and a kitchen fitted with Miele appliances.

The parents’ retreat has a dressing room and ensuite and opens to a terrace.

In the children’s wing there’s three bedrooms, the main with its own ensuite.

Ms McNabney-Stevens said one of her favourite parts of the house was the drawing room.

“In winter it has the best open fire place and in summer with all the windows open you can sit in all the chairs and look as far as your eye can see, trees, trees and more trees into the distance without another building interrupting your view,” she said.

20 Victory St, Sandringham - for herald sun real estate

Cactus is one of the plant varieties in the garden.

20 Victory St, Sandringham - for herald sun real estate

The house is close to Sandringham beach, shops, cafes and Sandingham train station.

20 Victory St, Sandringham - for herald sun real estate

There’s a main bathroom, plus ensuites near two of the bedrooms.

Outdoors, there’s a heated salt water pool and an entertainers’ area with a built-in barbecue, concrete bench and cafe blinds.

Although she has many treasured memories of the home, Ms McNabney-Stevens said celebrating Christmases was among them.

“That has to be the most relaxed, comfy day with everyone here,” she said.

“Sandringham and this house have been a relaxing blessing.”

20 Victory St, Sandringham - for herald sun real estate

Artistic touches throughout the house.

20 Victory St, Sandringham - for herald sun real estate

The patio is an ideal place to enjoy a coffee.

Belle Property Sandringham principal director Fran Harkin described the house as “an eclectic, curated, elegant, one-of-a-kind home”.

Ms Harkin said it was rare to find a mid-century-esque, renovated home with four bedrooms and a pool in the local area.

The house is for sale with a $3.3m-$3.55m asking range.

Expressions of interest closes at 5pm on September 8.

Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.

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Revealed: Costco’s radical next housing move

Imagine grabbing your bulk toilet paper and a new flat-screen TV, then heading home to your apartment, all within the same sprawling complex.

It sounds like something out of a futuristic urban planner’s dream, but it’s precisely what US retail giant Costco is reportedly planning in Los Angeles.

This groundbreaking move has sparked a crucial question for us here in Australia: could a similar retail-residential hybrid model help ease our nation’s crippling housing shortage?

The discount chain, renowned for its warehouse-style stores and cheaper fuel, is reportedly looking to break into the Los Angeles housing market with plans for a new store in South LA, featuring an astonishing 800 connected apartments.

A significant portion, 184 units, are earmarked as affordable housing for low-income individuals.

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Supplied Real Estate Rendering of planned Costco mixed-use site at 5035 Coliseum St., Los Angeles. Thrive Living

Rendering of planned Costco mixed-use site at 5035 Coliseum St., Los Angeles. Source: Thrive Living

The ambitious project, developed alongside Thrive Living and architects AO, would create a massive retail-housing hub in Baldwin Village, complete with amenities like a gym, rooftop pool, and gardens.

While still awaiting approval, this concept offers a potential solution to LA’s median home price of $1 million, which has exacerbated homelessness in the city.

Housing activist Joe Cohen shared what the current plans could look like for residents, according to SFGATE.

Supplied Real Estate Rendering of planned Costco mixed-use site at 5035 Coliseum St., Los Angeles. Thrive Living

An overhead site plan view of proposed apartments above a Costco in South Los Angeles. Source: Thrive Living

“But it is a bunch of small units along these long hallways, with a massive recreation centre as an amenity space,” he said.

The current proposed plans show three large rings of connected homes, each ring with a courtyard or garden area in the middle.

Costco’s warehouse would then be attached to the complex.

The store will also be available for all Costco members to shop at and will be near public transport for people to access.

Australia’s housing headache: A dire situation

Here in Australia, the housing crisis is equally, if not more, acute.

It’s a national emergency, with two-thirds of Australians grappling with housing stress, meaning they spend over 30 per cent of their income on housing costs.

Rents have skyrocketed by a staggering 57 per cent nationally over the past decade, according to a new housing report by Everybody’s Home.

This disparity has pushed home ownership further out of reach, with median-income households able to afford just 14 per cent of homes sold in the 2023-24 financial year.

Supplied Real Estate Rendering of planned Costco mixed-use site at 5035 Coliseum St., Los Angeles. Thrive Living

Planned layouts for apartment units in a development that would also house a Costco in South Los Angeles. Source: Thrive Living

The grim reality is that housing affordability is now the fastest-growing cause of homelessness across the country.

Our major capital cities bear the brunt of this crisis.

As of August 2025, the national median house price sits at approximately $912,563, with combined capital cities averaging $1,044,867.

Sydney leads the charge with a median house price of $1,525,956, followed by Melbourne at $952,399, and Brisbane at $1,019,865.

Could a retail-residential hybrid work in Australia?

The concept of mixed-use developments, blending residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, is already a cornerstone of urban planning in Australia.

Major Australian developers like Mirvac and Stockland are actively involved in creating such integrated communities, including apartments alongside retail and commercial spaces.

This suggests that the foundational expertise and market acceptance for such projects already exist.

The Costco model, while novel, would also align with Australia’s growing need for integrated, high-density living solutions and help meet The National Housing Accord, which has an ambitious target of 1.2 million new homes to be built by 2028.

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Palm Beach home of Wallaby legend up for sale

14 Waratah Rd, Palm Beach rents out to holidaymakers for $7,500 per week in the high season.

The Palm Beach waterfront cottage belonging to the late Wallaby player and coach David Brockhoff, has come to market for the first time in more than a century.

Carinya, on Waratah Rd, is an original weatherboard cottage loved by generations of Brockhoffs and rented out to holidaymakers for $7,500 a week in the high season.

It has just been listed for sale with an expression of interest campaign closing October 8 and with a guide of $13.4m.

B.J. Edwards, of LJ Hooker Palm Beach, said the cul-de-sac strip was one of Palm Beach’s most tightly held addresses where properties were passed down the generations.

Number 10 Waratah Rd sold for $13.6m in July and B.J. said he was fully expecting to wait another 20 years for another sale on the road.

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26/5/05 - Rugby great David Brockhoff is retiring as Chairman of Sydney University Rugby Club. Picture: Danny Aarons

David Brockhoff when he retired as Chairman of Sydney University Rugby Club in 2005. Picture: Danny Aarons

“Then this one came up and it is level and has uninterrupted sweeping views across Pittwater and the full expanse of Station Beach to Barrenjoey Headland,” he said.

“It really is exceptional, a beautiful home,” he said.

Carinya is a three-bedroom cottage on 556sqm of land facing north-west for the best of the afternoon sun. A dining room and sunroom run the length of the cottage looking out to sea and there are original hardwood floors and a sandstone fireplace, French doors and large windows throughout.

It was first owned by the late David Brockhoff’s father Frederick who ran the high-profile flour mill and bakery Brockhoffs in Sydney. The company later became famous for their biscuits and merged with Arnott’s in 1963.

A dining room and sunroom run the length of the cottage looking out to sea.

There are three bedrooms.

David was a master biscuit maker himself but his real love was rugby union and he played eight Tests for Australia between 1949 and 1951 before returning as coach in the 1970s inspiring a historic Bledisloe Cup victory against the All Blacks in 1979. He was tall, with a deep voice, revered in the sport and the king of the player pep talk. He once loosened the hinges of the locker room doors before one Anzac Day match then dramatically ripped one door off and flung it to the floor rallying his team like an army facing the Turks. His team won the match.

David Brockhoff died in 2011 and his wife, Claire, died four years later.

Two further generations of Brockhoffs have enjoyed Carinya but now the family has decided to release the property.

Within hours of coming to market buyers were circling.

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