Northern Beaches Focus
Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday October 16, 2003
COLLAROY
This original brick 1950s house opposite Dee Why Lagoon is only one street back from the surf at Long Reef and Dee Why, a 600-metre walk. The property is liveable as is, but it is ripe for renovation or to knockdown. There are two bedrooms, the main with built-in wardrobes. The bathroom is original but charming, and has a separate shower and deep bath. The timber kitchen has plenty of cupboards and benchspace with an adjoining sunroom or formal dining room overlooking the backyard. The lounge room has a fireplace and views over the yard. A second storey could capture ocean views.
Room for improvement
Write to Backyard Blitz and beg them to come and do something anything with the boring backyard.
Offers from $850,000
Address 31 Cumberland Avenue
House Two bedrooms, one bathroom
Built 1950s
Land 685 sq m
Inspect by appointment
Inquiries Doyle Spillane, 9981 3799.
DEE WHY
Sometimes cheapies like this unit come along. You can't expect much for less than $300,000 in the northern beaches the Home Price Guide median apartment price in Dee Why is $370,000. So what's the catch? The unit is just 38 square metres, which can be tricky to finance, and it is in original condition. Oh, and it is on a cul-de-sac on the western side of Pittwater Road rather than the more prestigious eastern side. But the bonus is the apartment has a carport on title and there are external laundry facilities. There is a small balcony off the living room and the bathroom is ensuite. It has a south-westerly aspect and is a 12-minute walk to the beach and is close to local bus routes and shops.
Room for improvement
This apartment needs at least a coat of paint and new carpet. The bathroom and kitchen need modernising.
Offers from $230,000
Address 5/3 Ilikai Place
House One bedroom, one bathroom
Built 1972
Inspect by appointment
Inquiries Rod Jones First National, 9982 1255
PALM BEACH
This property, a short walk to Whale Beach and the sandy bays of Pittwater, is a deceased estate but it has been well-maintained. Sure, the aluminium windows could be replaced and the kitchen and bathroom could be modernised but the house looks contemporary and has a north-facing, mature garden. It has polished floorboards throughout, three bedrooms, the main with ensuite, a lounge with separate dining room, and an internal laundry. The kitchen is next to the family room, which opens onto the fully-fenced back garden, complete with herb and veggie patch. There is a double lock-up garage, plus additional off-street parking.
Room for improvement
There is room to extend the house to create airy, open-plan living spaces.
More than $950,000
Address 22 Cynthea Road
House Three bedrooms, two bathrooms
Built 1971
Land 674 sq m
Auction November 6
Inspect Sat and Wed 11.15am to noon
Inquiries Raine & Horne Palm Beach, 9974 4311
MANLY
This restored art deco apartment block is between the surf beach and the harbour beach and is close to shops and restaurants. It is one of 15 in the block, which has just been renovated. The 76-square-metre apartment has two balconies, one of which has leafy views over the district. There are a concealed laundry in the hallway, a modern kitchen with Smeg appliances and a new bathroom. It has polished floorboards throughout and a side balcony off the living room has space for a small table. The two bedrooms open onto the other balcony. There is no off-street parking. There are other apartments in the block for sale.
Room for improvement
You would need built-in wardrobes in the bedrooms, so try your luck and see if the agent will knock some money off the asking price.
For sale $655,000
Address 7/33 Darley Road
House Two bedrooms, one bathroom
Built 1938
Inspect By appointment
Inquiries Ray White Manly, 9977 4899
NEWPORT
Here's an interesting one a three-bedroom family house and two self-contained one-bedroom units on a whopping 936 sq m block. The agent is pitching this as an investment property with potential returns of $850 a week. It could also suit a family that needs in-law accommodation or a place for grown-up children who won't leave home. The house is in a cul-de-sac with tropical gardens. The two apartments are underneath the main house and are renovated with tiled floors and modern laminate kitchens one is larger than the other and they have expected rentals of $250 and $150 a week. The main house has potential for modernisation but is well-maintained with airy bedrooms and living areas.
Room for improvement
The property is neat and tidy but you might want to call in the decorators and put your own stamp on it.
For sale $895,000
Address 3 Suncrest Avenue
House Three bedrooms, one bathroom, two one-bedroom flats
Built 1970s
Land 936 sq m
Inspect Sat 10.30 to 11.15am
Inquiries Delmege Residential Newport, 9999 0005
GREAT MACKEREL BEACH
The price tag is a tad more than the average weekender but this is the kind of place that makes you want to save up your pennies. The architect-designed house has been featured in design magazines and although it was built 20 years ago, it still looks contemporary. The house, while small, is designed over three levels.The main bedroom is on a mezzanine level above the living room and kitchen. On the ground level is another self-contained sleeping area. The house has a perfect north-east aspect and the mass of louvre windows capture the views to Lion Island and beyond. The property is about an hour's commuting distance from Sydney. You can only get there by boat and then a steep walk up a hill but, wow, what a great hideaway.
Room for improvement
Call in an architect to extend the house so you can invite all your friends up to this great spot for weekends away.
For sale $1.3 million
Address 31 Ross Smith Parade
House Two bedrooms, one bathroom
Built 1983
Land 631 sq m
Inspect by appointment
Inquiries LJ Hooker Mona Vale, 9979 8000
BEACON HILL
This older brick home has been modernised it has a new kitchen, bathroom and laundry and the floorboards have been polished. There are three good-sized bedrooms and a separate formal lounge with a ceiling fan. The dining room is next to the kitchen and has an open-plan breakfast bar dividing the two rooms. The house has sweeping district views and a large, level backyard with room for a swimming pool. A balcony off the family room overlooks the yard, which has an undercover entertaining deck as well as a lock-up garage with storage. The house is close to Warringah Mall and local buses and is a 10-minute drive to the beach.
Room for improvement
Get permission to add a second storey to create more living space and capture better views.
For sale between $675,000 to $725,000
Address 8 Ryan Place
House Three bedrooms, one bathroom
Built 1960s
Land 727 sq m
Inspect Sat 11 to 11.45am
Inquiries Skyline Real Estate Frenchs Forest, 9452 3444
NEWPORT
The weatherboard house might be a bit tired but this property has plenty of potential. It is on a large corner block and has development approval for two townhouses. Alternatively, you could knock down the existing house to build one large family home. The current house, with its filtered views to Pittwater, could be salvaged with a good renovation but this would need to include a new kitchen and bathroom. The large area under the house, now used as a workshop, could be converted into a rumpus room. The home's living areas have timber floors and there is a fireplace with a sandstone hearth. The property has a single garage. .
Room for improvement
There is lots of scope to capitalise but make sure you don't pay too much at the auction.
More than $825,000
Address 100 Irrubel Road
House Three bedroom, one bathroom
Built 1960s
Land 911 sq m
Auction Sat November 1
Inspect Sat and Wed noon to 12.45pm
Inquiries McGrath Estate Agents, northern beaches 9997 2333
ALLAMBIE HEIGHTS
OK, the fibro house isn't anything to get excited about but 850 square metres of level land in Allambie Heights is. This property, across the road from a retirement village and near buses, shops and local schools, is a short walk to Manly Dam. The house is dated but liveable with two bedrooms, an original kitchen and bathroom and a combined lounge and dining. There is a sunroom overlooking the backyard. The bonus is the massive six-car garage in the backyard, accessible via the side driveway. A second storey would capture district views. For inspiration, just look at the new homes built nearby.
Room for improvement
Bring your paintbrush and go wild or call in the bulldozers to build your dream home.
For sale from $700,000
Address 144 Allambie Road
House Two bedrooms, one bathroom
Built 1950s
Land 850 sq m
Inspect Sat 10 to 10.45am
Inquiries PRD Nationwide Caputo Brookvale, 9905 5566
COLLAROY
With a large deck that has views of the ocean and nearby coastline, this four-bedroom penthouse is not your average beachside apartment. The big, open-plan living areas all open onto the deck, which measures 55 square metres. Three of the generous-sized bedrooms have ensuites, all with marble floors and vanity units. The granite kitchen has stainless-steel appliances and there are timber floors throughout the living areas. The apartment has zoned air-conditioning, security access and an alarm system. There is a double lock-up garage with an auto stacker to allow parking for three cars. The apartment is on the top floor of a three-level building close to shops and buses.
Room for improvement
There's no need to do much here just bring your own pot plants for the deck and enjoy!
More than $1 million
12/1125 Pittwater Rd
Apartment Four bedrooms, three bathrooms
Built 2001
Auction Sun, November 16
Inspect Sat and Wed 11-11.45am
Inquiries Libra The Professionals Collaroy, 9981 2133
GALSTON
Crosslands Cottage was one of the first houses built in Galston and still has its original well and timber barn. The property, used as a location for television commercials, has a gravel circular driveway leading to the house, which has wide verandas and is surrounded by cottage-style gardens. Inside, features include high decorative ceilings and a wood-burning stove. A large lounge and dining area that opens to a veranda. The kitchen and the bathroom, last updated in the 1980s, are well-maintained but could do with a revamp. The property has town water with solar hot water. A four-car garage at the back could be transformed into a studio.
Room for improvement
Polish the floorboards and slap on a coat or two of paint for a quick makeover.
For sale $1.375million
Address 25 Crosslands Road
House Four bedrooms, two bathrooms
Built 1886
Land 4031 sq m
Inspect Sat 2 to 2.45pm
Inquiries DPW Realty, 9653 2999
EVANS PLAINS
This grand country property was originally the Millers Arms Inn. Just eight kilometres from Bathurst, the four-bedroom house has been sympathetically restored and a new wing added, including a main bedroom and ensuite. The stables, renovated to include a bathroom and loft, could be used as guest accommodation or a home-office. The main house has formal lounge and dining rooms and a study. Under the dining room is a large wine cellar. In the cedar kitchen are timber ceilings and Baltic pine lining boards. The property has rainwater tanks and its own drinkable spring water. The landscaped grounds feature a secret garden and a grapevine-covered courtyard.
Room for improvement
Seek council approval to run this beautifully restored property as a B&B.
For sale $795,000
Address ``Brooklyn", Stuart Street, Evans Plains via Bathurst
House Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, studio
Built 1857
Land 2ha
Inspect by appointment
Inquiries Clifton Thompson Maher , 6331 7722
© 2003 Sydney Morning Herald