The most luxurious Darwin house sales for the first half of 2020
HERE are the Top 10 RICHEST sales in Darwin for the first half of 2020. CLICK to see what these incredible homes look like
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THE top end of the Darwin house market includes some of the most beautifully designed homes in the country, in locations with spectacular views.
Once in a while these properties come on the market, and it provides a rare opportunity for them to become cherished by another family.
Here are the Top 10 sales in Darwin this year. To be eligible, properties must have been sold on the market between January and July 2020, and the price, address and other essential information must have been disclosed. Off-market home sales were excluded.
1. 13 Cullen Bay Crescent, Cullen Bay
Sold by Seth Chin on June 18 for $2.1m
This landmark four-level home in Cullen Bay – designed to make the most of the marina, harbour and clifftop surrounds – was sold for $2.1 million.
It features six bedrooms, five bathrooms, a rooftop terrace and an eight-seat cinema.
Chin Property Group director Seth Chin said the property’s multimillion-dollar price tag and the suburb’s prestige called for a different approach to finding a suitable buyer.
“Thirteen Cullen Bay Crescent is extremely unique – really high-end, beautiful finishes,” he said. “We did have a special way in which we got in touch and worked our way through
our database, and found out who was just the right for it.”
He said it was usually rare for Cullen Bay properties to come on the market, but now the older generations were moving out and making way for young families to make the most of the sought-after homes.
“We’ve seen a lot of owner-occupiers moving into this market and young professionals, younger families have been buying in this area, and it’s what we’re seeing is essentially like a changing of the guard,” Mr Chin said.
“We’ve got a lot of owners that were a little bit older and some are looking at checking out and cashing in after looking after such a big house, maintaining a four-bedroom house, where their children grew up in.”
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2. 98 Cullen Bay Crescent, Cullen Bay
Sold by Seth Chin on May 21 for $1.85 million
Set on one of Cullen Bay’s largest waterfront blocks, this flawless home sold for $1.85 million.
The house maximises natural light and space, with three bedrooms and bathrooms, and spectacular views from each of the four levels.
A large backyard and 12m marina berth make it one of the most desirable places to live in Cullen Bay. Chin Property Group director Seth Chin said he again used an in-house database to find the perfect buyer.
“This one was really special because it had such a large land mass – it was a 1740sq m block, and so that was what was really pulling people in,” he said.
Mr Chin said the Cullen Bay market had fared well in recent years, despite Darwin being at the lower end of the market and a population decline. He said this cycle would change in years to come and positively affect the market.
“Cullen Bay has always been one of these suburbs that there’s low supply and relatively strong demand,” he said.
“You can’t reclaim more land or redevelop any more land – there’s only a finite amount of houses that are in Cullen Bay. The way that I like to explain it to buyers when they’re looking in the area is investing into Cullen Bay is almost like investing in your super fund, and again it goes back to the fact that this is your finite amount of blocks.”
3. 31 Hodgson Drive, Leanyer
Sold by Judy Truong on March 12 for $1.32m
Space is one of the key features of this property, with occupants able to spread across four living areas, five bedrooms and three bathrooms in a house sitting on 2ha.
Real Estate Central sales professional Judy Truong sold the property and said it was a unique offering, with few direct competitors. She said the sale was a positive sign for the Darwin market, which in recent years had struggled.
“When the top of the market shows signs of recovery, the rest of the market benefits – as seen with our two consecutive quarters of positive growth in the median house price for Darwin this year,” she said.
“With our median house price growth bucking the national trend of other capital cities, there is a spotlight on the Territory at the moment, as investors consider safe havens for capital for the next few years.”
4. 4 Schultze Street, Larrakeyah
Sold by Annette Gore on April 8 for $1.1m
This truly tropical house features many louvred walls and bi-fold doors, to capture the best of Darwin’s weather.
The four-bedroom home sits on a 955 sqm block in gentrified Larrakeyah, and provides spacious living just minutes from Darwin CBD.
5. 31 Longwood Avenue, Leanyer
Sold by Gabby Sawyer on February 3 for $1.1m
Another rare 2ha property in Leanyer, this was the first time the home had been on the market since being built. The three-bedroom executive house has a bespoke layout, with a main wing, an east wing, a guest suite and a separate laundry and workshop.
It also features a billiard room, library and bar, all wrapped around a large in-ground pool.
It was sold by All About Real Estate NT director and sales executive Gabby Sawyer, who said she felt privileged to be given the opportunity to sell the home.
“Here was a special, unique, architecturally designed home that was ahead of its time in design and style, on a rare country-sized block of tropical gardens – but right there in suburbia,” she said.
“It was a hidden piece of paradise. It had served as an amazing family home, so it was an honour to be a part of the journey of transition to another family. We had a few offers on the property but ultimately it went to the right buyer: another family who were going to love it and appreciate it as it is.
“The new owners wanted privacy and space and an amazing garden, and this home delivered it all. It was the lifestyle they were seeking and still within a short drive to their work.”
Ms Sawyer said there was significant interest in the property, which was no surprise given the popularity of Leanyer.
“It offers fantastic schools, a shopping centre, as well as being a short drive to Casuarina Square and close to Darwin hospital,” she said.
“It’s a newer area of the Darwin northern suburbs and perfect for families. Buying in Leanyer, you can’t go wrong.”
6.8 Farquhar Street, Muirhead
Sold by Judy Truong on June 17 for $1.09m
This is one of Darwin’s most prestigious homes and there was a tense race between two bidders at the auction of this six-bedroom stunner.
The home was recognised at the 2017 Excellence in Building and Construction Awards, receiving the award for best project home in the $800,000 to $1 million category. The modern-day palace has exquisite finishes, a masterful design, a contemporary colour scheme and a spacious floorplan, and was sold by Real Estate Central sales professional Judy Truong.
Ms Truong said this sale and her third-ranked Leanyer listing were both strong indicators of returning confidence in the market.
“When sales occur at the top end of the market, this is usually a strong indicator of returning confidence in the housing market,” she said.
“What these sales will do is boost the median house price for the area and build some confidence with lenders to fund construction in areas such as Muirhead.
“Construction creates jobs, so I would expect that we will start to see some activity on those vacant allotments, particularly when there is up to $45,000 of federal and local government grants on the table to assist in rebuilding our economy.”
7. 7 Notley Place, Parap
Sold by Tim Mackenzie on March 10 for $1.07m
Listed for the first time since being built, this five-bedroom home in the heart of Parap was sold by O’Donoghues First National, and was highly sought after for its location and the space it offered.
The multiple living areas – including a cinema room – and a modern outdoor entertaining space overlooking the stunning pool made this home a rare purchase.
8. 26 Packard St, Larrakeyah
Sold by Sascha Smithett on July 30 for $1.05m
This stunning executive house, sold by Real Estate Central, boasts a prime position, with views over Doctors Gully.
No detail has been overlooked in this four-bedroom, five-bathroom designer home that combines space, style and a lush garden setting to create high-end luxury living to suit the growing family.
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9. 11 Samuel Street, Muirhead
Sold by Jen Wardell on June 26 for $1.03m
This luxury home, sold by LJ Hooker, boasts six bedrooms, six bathrooms and two massive living areas – one on each floor.
This home was even more appealing to buyers due to its potential to use the ground floor bedrooms and kitchenette as a living space for visitors, or to rent out and gain a second income.
10. 68 East Point Road, Fannie Bay
Sold by Rick Trippe on January 28 for $1m
This hillside home sold by Knight Frank is in one of Darwin’s most sought-after suburbs, and is set back on a private side street running adjacent to East Point Road.
Surrounded by tropical gardens, it sits on a massive 1370sq m and is the epitome of tropical living, with a resort-style saltwater pool, waterfall spa and an enormous heritage-listed banyan tree.
This Saturday the NT News is releasing its must-have real estate guide, Territory Living. It includes everything you need to know about the industry in the NT. Stay tuned for more Territory Living content.
raphaella.saroukos@news.com.au
Originally published as The most luxurious Darwin house sales for the first half of 2020