A RARE KNOCKDOWN/REBUILD OPPORTUNITY IN THE HILLS DISTRICT
The knockdown/rebuild market is ripe for the picking if you know where to look
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Glenhaven in Sydney’s Hills District is one of those areas that locals tend to keep to themselves. Leafy with large blocks on offer, the suburb takes its name from its valley location, with the northern end originally known as the Glen and the southern end called the Haven.
En route from Parramatta to the Hunter, Glenhaven has become an ideal place for growing families in search of a little more space, or even room to house several generations under one roof.
The challenge is finding properties that tick all the right boxes.
As demand for trades and supply chain issues continue to ease, now could be the right time for a knockdown/rebuild project for would-be buyers looking to create their dream home.
Fairmont Homes specialises in knockdown/rebuild projects in Sydney. General manager at Fairmont Homes, Daniel Logue, said there are key features to look for when choosing a knockdown/rebuild site.
“The key items we look for are the site falling to the street, not to the rear, to help with stormwater drainage as well as access to the site,” he said. “Neighbouring property front setbacks are also important. In some older areas, the older houses are set closer to the street, meaning your new home will have to be set to suit.
“Value for money and the return on the end sale price of the home is another issue.”
If possible, he said designing a home that meets the criteria of the Complying Development legislation will speed up approvals considerably.
While suitable knockdown/rebuild sites can be hard to find in Glenhaven, there are still hidden opportunities if you know where to look.
One block at 158 Gilbert Road, Glenhaven is ideally suited for rejuvenation. With almost 850sqm to play with, it slopes down to the street and sits between neighbouring properties that have already been stylishly updated.
An existing basketball court at the rear could provide the perfect teen backdrop to a family home, or it could make way for a larger house with landscaped gardens and pool. Alternatively, it could be the perfect position for a cabana or granny flat to serve as in-law accommodation or a source of secondary income.
With recent sales of completed homes in nearby streets reaching well above $5 million, it’s a great opportunity to make a slam dunk of a buy into one of Sydney’s best kept secrets.
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
Villa prices saw particularly strong growth, with capital values increasing by 33.4 percent year-on-year
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Dubai’s real estate market showed strong performance in the second quarter of 2024, with notable increases across the residential, office, and retail sectors, according to a new ValuStrat real estate report for Q2 2024.
Villa prices experienced particularly strong growth, with capital values rising by 33.4 percent year-on-year.
Haider Tuaima, Director and Head of Real Estate Research at ValuStrat said: “The Dubai real estate market has shown impressive growth and resilience in recent months. The ValuStrat Price Index for Residential Capital Values increased by 6.4 percent quarterly and 28.2 percent annually, reaching 178.2 points.
“Despite severe flooding caused by record rainfalls in April, the quick and effective response from developers and authorities helped to control the damage, ensuring that market activity and property valuations remained robust in the subsequent months.”
The office sector also performed well, with the VPI for office capital values surging by 31.7 percent annually and 9.4 percent quarterly, reaching 212.5 points—the highest quarterly increase in a decade.
In the retail sector, Emaar Properties reported 98 percent occupancy in their prime mall assets, while overall mall occupancy stood at 96 percent during the first quarter of 2024. The hospitality sector also saw growth, with total international guests reaching 8.12 million as of May 2024, a 9.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Hotel occupancy reached 81 percent, rising by 1.4 percent year-on-year.
Despite these positive indicators, Tuaima added, “The decline in transaction volumes calls for a closer examination of market dynamics as stakeholders navigate this evolving landscape.”
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
