While the rest of south-east Queensland seems to be on holidays or at the Commonwealth Games, savvy first-home buyers could potentially pick themselves up a premium inner city Brisbane house this weekend.
Up for auction are a few starter homes in some of Brisbane’s most sought-after inner city locations, such as 17 Wakefield Street, Albion, a three-bedroom Queenslander cottage within walking distance of the train.
Set to go under the hammer at 11am this Saturday, April 7, the house represents an amazing opportunity in a suburb that often flies under the radar, according to marketing agent Hayley Jane from Place New Farm.
Cottage cuteness: 17 Wakefield Street, Albion. Photo: Supplied
“Albion is without a doubt a suburb that people tend to forget when they’re looking for an inner city house,” Ms Jane said.
“It definitely flies under the radar but it’s all here: beautiful streets, views, character and incredible access to the CBD. You’re literally two suburbs out from the city.”
The median house price in Albion is $727,500, having grown at a steady rate of 3.9 per cent last year – but that’s all likely to change with the advent of a $750 million development set to transform the precinct surrounding Albion train station.
17 Wakefield Street, Albion, will go under the hammer on Saturday, April 7. Photo: Supplied
“Albion is a suburb that won’t fly under the radar for much longer, but right now it’s exceptional value considering its proximity to the CBD, valley and surrounding services,” Ms Jane said.
“And this house has so much potential for expansion – it’s on a flat 405 square metre block and the house could be doubled in size if it was lifted up.”
Ascot is not your average first-home buyer suburb, which makes this three-bedroom character home, considered to be entry level, a rare prize.
Entry level blue chip: 15 Butler Street, Ascot, will go to auction this Saturday, April 7. Photo: Supplied
Going to auction at 10am on Saturday, 15 Butler Street is is set on 405 square metres of blue chip real estate, only minutes from some of Brisbane’s most elite private schools and, of course, neighbouring multimillion-dollar properties.
The median house price in Ascot is $1,475,000 – Domain Group data shows house prices increased by 15.5 per cent in 2017 – so while entry-level price is out of reach for many house hunters, marketing agent Alexander Shean of Ray White Ascot said he had fielded strong interest from first-home buyers during the campaign.
“We’ve had investors through as well, as the house has been an investment property for a number of years, but mainly we’ve had a lot of interest from first-home buyers keen to get into the Ascot area,” he said.
The lounge room at 15 Butler Street, Ascot. Photo: Supplied
“I’d say this is a rare opportunity. Ascot has a high proportion of prestige property, so this type of property doesn’t come up in the area very often.”
The house features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas and a single lock-up garage.
Over in Paddington, a gabled pre-war home at 58 Rockbourne Terrace will go under the hammer at 2pm.
Pre-war charm: 58 Rockbourne Terrace, Paddington. Photo: Supplied
With four bedrooms, two bathrooms and two-street frontage, it’s liveable as is but has further room to add value, agent Ben Wakely of Urban Property Agents said.
“This has been in one family for years and it’s a much-loved family home,” he said. “I’ve had interest from first-home buyers, double-income earners with no kids and also from older people looking to downsize from a large family home.
The house is in a premium Paddington location within walking distance of Paddington Central, local cafes and schools.
Source: www.domain.com.au