Scent marketer lists in Vaucluse as prestige market roars back to life

After going large on tree-free paper, this Aussie scent marketer is eyeing off his next big move.

3 Billong Ave, Vaucluse has a $9m guide for a February 20 auction.

Scent marketer Damien Scarf and his wife, Emily, have listed their Vaucluse home as the Sydney prestige market roars back to life.

The six-bedroom home at 3 Billong Ave has a $9m guide for a February 20 auction via Ray White Double Bay principal Elliott Placks and his colleague, Alan Fettes.

Records show Damien, who created his firm Scent Central in 2016 having previously manufactured and promoted toilet paper made from bamboo, and his wife, Emily, bought the home for $1.85m in 2004 but they did a major extension and reno in 2023.

Placks says his listings are up on the same time last year and he’s getting good interest.

“Last year ended in fatigue, but we’re coming up strong for 2025,” he said.

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Prior to becoming a Scent marketer, Damien Scarf manufactured toilet paper made of bamboo. Pic Chris Pavlich

He and his wife, Emily, bought the home for $1.85m in 2004 but they did a massive extension and reno in 2023.

“We’re getting offers already on houses at their guide level and we’re continuing to see strong momentum in the market.”

Meanwhile, Maclay Longhurst of Sotheby’s says he’s also seeing good numbers at open homes.

“We’re seeing some really good confidence ahead of interest rate cuts,” he said.

“A lot of buyers want to dive in now before the market takes off.”

Among his listings are a three-bedroom penthouse in the new Surry Hills Village at 6.02/14 Baptist St, Redfern which has a $5.5m guide for a February 20 auction.

Records show it was bought by Ahmad Dandan, from a developer family, for $5.16m in June, 2021.

The other (larger) penthouse recently sold for $7,375,000 to Bellevue Hill downsizers.

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602/14 Baptist St, Surry Hills has a price guide of $5.5m for a February 20 auction.

It has views of the city skyline.

The Sydney Sotheby’s principal Michael Pallier is expecting international buyers to capitalise on the weak Australian dollar.

“I think it will be a good year, at 61 or 62 cents against the US dollar, it’s very good for overseas buyers looking at Australian property, and of course the Hong Kong dollar and the Chinese currency is linked to the US dollar,” Pallier said.

He says he already has local interest in a Spanish Mission-style mansion on almost 1100 sqm owned by prominent lawyer John Landerer and his wife Michelle at 40 Coolong Rd, Vaucluse, which comes with DA approved plans for a new trophy home and has a $23m price guide.

“It’s a prized street and the price isn’t stratospheric,” he said.

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40 Coolong Ave, Vaucluse has a guide of $23m.

It cost $18m in 2022.

The couple bought it for $18m from Charles Fairfax, the youngest son of Lady Mary Fairfax, in 2022.

Pillinger principal Brad Pillinger is also optimistic. “2025 will start with a bang.

“When there’s a rate drop, or even anticipation of a rate drop, there’s an increase in confidence.”

Pillinger sold last year’s most expensive house, Elaine, for $130m last October, equalling the previous record, in conjunction with Ken Jacobs of Forbes Global Properties, on behalf of the billionaire Atlassian co-founder, Scott Farquhar and his wife, investment banker Kim Jackson.

The property is yet to settle and neither will comment on the purchaser.

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Originally published as Scent marketer lists in Vaucluse as prestige market roars back to life