Historic Clyde Cottage Woollahra sold for an undisclosed amount after an extensive redesign

A Woollahra landmark that was once a derelict home has just sold for an undisclosed amount.

The historic Clyde Cottage at 115 Queen St was bought in 2011 in a state of disrepair.

The then derelict home, which was once the childhood home of Dame Joan Sutherland, was a two-storey property in unliveable condition.

While the final sale price is undisclosed it was listed with and sold through Ballard Property’s Clint Ballard and Mark Lowe.

Mr Ballard said the owners had initially revamped the home with the intention to occupy it.

“They built it to move into but their plans changed. They would have loved the opportunity to live in the home. Basically they’re staying overseas.”

He said the buyers were a locals who liked the quality of the workmanship, the design principles, the position’s uniqueness and the size of the land.

Ooi and Han added a modern spin to the historic property while still retaining some of its period features.

The property sits on 803sq m of land. It was restored by studiointernationale and May+Swan Architects who retained the property’s original Victorian-style facade while the rest of the home was given an ultra-modern addition.

It won the HIA’s highest award for large scale additions and alterations in 2015 for the builder, Alvaro Bros.

It has a rear pavilion featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-plan kitchen with a marble breakfast bench, Barrazza gas cooktop, two ovens and an integrated fridge and freezer.

The main bedroom has a large dressing room and ensuite and there are two more king sized bedrooms with built-ins and ensuites.

The “powder room” in the pavilion features a marble vanity and leather clad wall.

The front wing of the property has another designer kitchen, living and dining areas and another bedroom with custom cabinetry. All together there are four bedrooms, six bathrooms and parking for two cars.

Original article sourced from The Daily Telegraph, written by Melissa Kehagias

Shane Warne sells to the Watson family in Brighton

The Brighton trophy home merry-go-round appears to be well oiled with the former Aussie cricketer Shane Warne selling his redundant home, Camden at a likely $5 million plus through JP Dixon's Paul McKenzie and Marcus Gollings.

The four bedroom manor, modelled on a Mediterranean villa (above), has been bought by Lyn Watson who has been known to be seeking such a home. Warne bought it from IMG's Australian head, Martin Jolly, for $3.95 million in 2014.

The cricket legend will be moving back into Melville, the Brighton trophy that he previously shared with ex-wife Simone Callahan.

He sold Melville nine years ago in 2007 for $8.8 million and is rumoured to have spent $14 million plus on it this time round. Neighbours have heard keen to host a house warming early December.

Original article sourced from The Property Observer

BRICKX offers fractional ownership of residential property for investors

First Millennials started investing in real estate to get on the property ladder while they saved for a home. Now there's a new option – buying a fraction of an investment property.

Online investment platform BRICKX lets investors own a piece of residential property for as little as $100 – an Australian first.

BRICKX buys properties and then divides the ownership of each property into units, which are called "Bricks". A property purchased for $1 million, for example, is divided into 10,000 Bricks worth $100 each.

When the company recently opened up to retail investors for the first time, Sydney marketing manager Petar Sabados jumped at the chance.

The 31-year-old wants to buy an investment property but he needs to save the deposit first. He is a "believer" that over the long term, residential property prices will continue to rise.

"If I could buy an investment property on my own I would," Petar says. "You get cycles, but what I am looking at is the long-term trend where I am expecting my Bricks to grow from $100 to $150. Yes, it dips but not like the stock market which, after the fall during the global financial crisis, still has not recovered."

Peter has Bricks in two properties – an apartment in Enmore and a house in Annandale, both in Sydney's Inner West.

He rents with his wife and their three-year-old son and is happy to continue renting for financial and lifestyle reasons, but likes property as an investment.

BRICKX chief executive Anthony Millet says many people can be put off investing in residential property as it can be expensive, time-consuming and daunting.

He says BRICKX can be well suited for those who feel locked out of the property market and investors keen to diversify their investment portfolios.

"This form of property investment is accessible on so many levels – investment is easy, distributions are typically regular, divesting can be as simple as listing your Bricks for sale," Millet says.

The property is independently valued twice a year with the Brick price adjusted up or down to reflect the valuation. This is an indication of "fair" value for the property but is not necessarily the price a seller will necessarily get for their Bricks.

Bricks are bought and sold on the platform with buyers and sellers bidding; similar to how shares are bought and sold. BRICKX investors receive rent in proportion to the fractional interest they have in the property.

BRICKX has recruited an Adviser Panel of senior property professionals to help with the property selection process. It has five properties and will purchase more.

The investor pays a 1.75 per cent fee on purchasing and selling Bricks.

With the typical net rental yield less than 2.5 per cent on most residential properties that means the fee will eat into a good portion of the yield over the first year.

Of course, the valuation of each Brick could be higher after 12 months.

Need for caution

Ben Dodwell, head of real estate at property developer and fund manager Folkestone, says most residential markets are still undersupplied.

"In NSW, we are still seeing good demand for residential product and in the past three months we saw a surprising move up in the prices of detached homes when I thought prices were going to settle this year," he says.

While the returns from residential property have been generally good there is no guarantee that will continue.

"As a professional property developer I can tell you that there are parts of certain markets that I would not touch with a barge pole," he says.

Dodwell broadly agrees with those property analysts who have long been sounding warnings about over-supply of apartments in parts of inner Melbourne and Brisbane.

Investors have available to them potentially higher returning and certainly more liquid investments.

These include Australian Real Estate Investment Trusts, which are listed on the Australian share market and invest in non-residential property, such as office towers and shopping malls. These typically produce yields of more than 6 per cent.

That compares very favourably to the typical rental yield on residential property of less than 2.5 per cent, after costs.

Then there are the bigger listed Australian companies, such as the banks, which are yielding 7 per cent plus, after franking credits.

Low rates

Tony Rigby, a financial planner with AMP, says historically low interest rates make it tough for young people to save for a deposit on their first house.

"Term deposits, which are paying about 3 per cent, are not going to give the best rate of return," Rigby says.

But investing in shares is risky. "You cannot rely on investing in any single asset class if you are going to call-up the capital in five years to fund a house deposit," he says.

In Rigby's view, investment markets could struggle to produce the kind of returns that they have in the past.

The solution for most first timers is more likely to come from strategies like moving back with parents to save on rent and saving the cash that is freed-up, Rigby says.

He says some of his clients who are parents are lending money to their children for the deposit, whether it is informal or a formal loan arrangement.

Some parents are going guarantor for their children where the deposit required by the lender is lower, Rigby says.

But going guarantor is risky for parents, who are liable for the mortgage should their children be unable to make repayments. He says some parents are charging board with the intention to give the board money to their children as a gift when they need a deposit.

Original article sourced from The Sydney Morning Herald

September Feature Properties

Sales Feature Property – 30/351 Edgecliff Road

Panoramic harbour views to Manly create a mesmerising backdrop to the bespoke interiors of this unique penthouse style apartment. Combining the feel of a house with the appeal of apartment living, the sprawling north facing apartment is spread over two levels on the top floor of the landmark Harry Seidler designed Arlington Apartments. Showcasing Seidler's signature aesthetic of streamlined interiors and optimal light and airflow, the three bedroom apartment offers a true sense of sanctuary, and a stroll to Edgecliff station, Woollahra village and Double Bay.

For more information on this property, please contact James Ball on 0410 740 349 or Mark Lowe on 0403 136 530.

Property Management Feature Property – 2702/1 Kings Cross Road, Darlinghurst

Located in the sought after Elan Building, this two bedroom apartment offers a generous open floor plan with plenty of natural light and modern fixtures. Enjoy the luxury of being positioned on the 27th floor and having panoramic views from both bedrooms while the open plan living/dining flows onto the balcony which takes in the expansive views of the city skyline.

The Elan building also features some of the best facilities Sydney has to offer. Attentive 24 hour concierge, secure under cover car space, huge established Frangipani stone paved common gardens, in ground 20 meter heated pool, outdoor spa, large modern gymnasium, billiard room and library all included within the building.

Rent per week: $1300

Please contact property manager Matthew Wilson on 0432 228 221 for an inspection or more information.

Company News

This month at Ballard Property we have had a very successful sale! Clint Ballard and Mark Lowe sold the historical, 115 Queen Street, Woollahra.

Well done to Clint and Mark!

Ballard Property would like to welcome Alexandra Anthony to the team. Alexandra has taken on the role as Executive Assistant to James Ball. Working along side James Ball and Shane Scicluna on the James Ball Team, we feel Alexandra is the perfect fit!