SOHOMES The Christmas Edition DECEMBER 2014 How Real Estate is changing with foreign investment A Christmas message of peace and love Christmas craft ideas to entertain the little ones Never-fail recipes for the whole family
luxury sydney homes
AND WHAT THEY’RE WORTH
sohoproperty.com.au | 02 9011 7100
Welcome Well, December is upon us! The tree is up, the stockings hung and most of us are starting to tie up loose ends in preparation for the Christmas break.
peace. We hope that you’ll have the time to relax, unwind with loved ones and reflect on the year that has been.
The property market has been especially hot this last quarter with 519 properties sold in the North Sydney local council area.
As you know, referrals are a valued and important part of our business. If you have any friends, family or associates who are looking for advice or assistance with sales, leasing or property management, we’d be delighted to help them take their next steps towards their property dreams.
The highest recorded sale was in October at $4.8 million for a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom Victorian home in East Crescent Street, McMahons Point. Though lower than last quarter, the rental market still holds limitless opportunities for prospective tenants with 584 properties in North Sydney council area currently on the market.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas! - The Team at Soho Property Group T: 02 9011 7100 E: soho@sohoproperty.com.au
Our December edition of SoHomes Magazine is a little lighter than usual with features on Christmas craft ideas, recipes for the whole family to enjoy and of course a favourite - your sneak peak into some of Sydney’s most luxurious homes and what they sold for. We also look at the impact of foreign investment on the Australian property market and how real estate agents are adapting to this change to achieve the best sale prices for their vendors. We hope you enjoy the read and welcome any suggestions you might have about how we can make the magazine better for our readers. We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our valued clients for your unwavering support and the belief you’ve had in our brand, our expertise and our commitment to achieving the best results. We couldn’t have made it this far without you. Christmas is a time for joy, happiness, love and
Shiraz Manoukian, Principal & Licensee in Charge
Your Lower North Shore specialists in sales, leasing and property management.
02 9011 7100 www.sohoproperty.com.au
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ever-fail recipes for the whole family to enjoy
PRAWN & MANGO HONEY BALSAMIC SALAD Choose quantities to suit individual preferences Washed baby spinach leaves Cherry tomatoes cut in halves Diced mango pieces Peeled cooked prawns Button mushrooms diced in thick chunks Honey to balsamic vinigarette ratio 1:3 MIXED BERRY RIPPLE VANILLA ICE CREAM 265g mixed fresh or frozen berries 165g caster sugar 2 tbsp lemon juice 1L vanilla icecream FIVE-SPICE LAMB CUTLETS 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup Chinese rice wine 2 tsp finely grated ginger, 2 tsp Chinese five spice 4 garlic cloves, crushed 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tbsp peanut oil 2 lamb chops CHOCOLATE PUDDING IN A TEACUP 2 cups milk 2 eggs 125g dark chocolate chopped 30g butter 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon 200g breadcrumbs Double cream 12 strawberries
A delicious concoction of fresh flavours that come together to create a perfect companion to red meat, or a plenteous meal on its own.
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Melt honey for a few seconds in the microwave and mix with balsamic vinigiarette before tossing in baby spinach, prawns, cherry tomatoes, mango pieces and mushrooms. Cooked asparagus optional. While allowing the vanilla ice cream to melt a little, mix the berries, sugar and lemon then simmer over medium heat. Mash berries with a fork and stir frequently until it thickens into a jam consistency. Cut ridges into the icecream and pour into crevices. Place in the freezer to enjoy later. Mix rice wine, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sugar and five spice and marinate lamb in it for two hours. Sear in a frypan on medium heat for 2-4 minutes on each side and serve with a green beans, baked potatoes and a glass of wine.
Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius. Grease six 200ml ovenproof dishes. Gently stir milk, chocolate and butter in a saucepan over medium heat until butter and chocolate have melted. Beat eggs, cinnamon and sugar together until pale and very thick then fold in chocolate mixture and breadcrumbs. Fill oven dishes up to half way and add 50ml boiling water to each dish. Place dishes on a large, flat baking dish (to avoid spilling in the oven) and bake for 30 minutes. Serve with fresh cream and strawberries.
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hristmas craft ideas to keep the little ones entertained
D.I.Y. CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS From novice to seasoned crafters, making or decorating DIY Christmas stockings are a fun activity for the whole family!
SEWING THE STOCKINGS TOGETHER Cut two simple stocking shapes out of your chosen fabric, pin together so the stocking is inside out and hand sew together. Turn fabric the right way around and cut any long threads. Add a trim to the top of your stocking using white fabric or something in a contrasting pattern and cut excess thread.
Needed: - Fabric - Scissors - Sewing materials - Glue - Decorative craft items
DECORATING YOUR CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS Decorate your new Christmas stockings with Christmas-coloured sequins, glitter glue, beads and other craft items around the house. Encourage kids to write their own names on the stockings using the above and take turns finishing stockings for Mum and Dad and the rest of the family. It can also be a cute idea to make Christmas stockings for pet dogs and cats if they’re usually involved in the Christmas festivities.
... DECORATIVE PINECONES AND BAUBALLS Needed: - Pinecones - Bauballs - Paint - Glue - Decorative craft items
Using glitter glue, paint and decorative items from your craft shop, dress up your pinecones and bauballs into stunning, individual Christmas pieces. Display on mantle pieces and in baskets on window sills for a romantic touch. Bauballs and pinecones can also be tied to the kids school bags during the festive season to help them get into the holiday spirit!
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HAND-MADE CHRISTMAS CARDS Needed: - Cardboard - Scissors - Decorative craft items - Glue
Fold cardboard in half and cut into your desired shape, keeping one edge in tact so the card can open and close. Attach photos, sparkles and other decorations using glue and decorate with glitter pens. Some great design inspirations can be found on Google using the search words ‘hand made Christmas cards’.
... CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS Needed: - Cookie cutters - Scissors - Hole punch - Coloured felt - Decorative craft items - Glue
Use cookie cutters to trace Christmas shapes on coloured felt. Decorate with paint, pom poms, giitter glue and sequins. Use a hole punch and string to loosely hang each ornament on the Christmas tree.
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ow Real Estate is changing with foreign investment
Sydney’s property market is ‘hot’ and the presence and interest of international property buyers is no secret. In 2012, the Federal government amended laws to allow foreign citizens to purchase Australian property after just 12 months of residency in Australia. An attractive offer to international buyers, this influx of foreign investment has produced some interesting results. Most obviously, the increase in demand for established property has created greater competition amongst buyers, often driving property prices well above market value. Real Estate ad website realestate.com.au recently reported that a house in Chatswood was sold at Auction for $450,000 over reserve while a terrace in Hurlston Park advertised at $750,000+ achieved a sale price of $892,000.
However, it isn’t only the prices that are changing. It is a Real Estate Agent’s obligation to a vendor to achieve a property’s absolute highest possible sale price. This includes catering for all foreign and international buyers to ensure that they fully understand the sale process and are given equal opportunity when purchasing. In response to this increase in foreign investment, although not a requirement by law, duallanguage auctions are now emerging as a trend with some Auctioneers even using on-site bidding display boards so the numbers are clear and confusion is minimised for non-English speaking buyers. If you’re thinking of starting an auction campaign and would like to have a chat about your options, contact us on (02) 9011 7100.
Luxury Sales A hand-picked selection of Sydney’s most luxurious properties and what they sold for. Source: RP Data and REA Group
44 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli SOLD FOR $4.3 MILLION (NOV 2014)
4 bed 3 bath 2 car
Resting in one of Kirribilli’s premium streets, this grand Victorian Italianate terrace is one of the rare few to provide accommodation fitting to the large family. Like most of the homes along this tightly held and sought after stretch, number 44 offers a truly enchanting facade which is carried through to its substantial interiors and complimented by a number of contemporary editions which perfectly meld with the original home. Enjoying dual street entry with its secure double garage accessed via the rear lane, its perfect location is just a stroll to the village, bus, train and school. Soaring ceilings, timber floors and stunning crystal lighting set the tone for this visually engaging home. The kitchen is the family heart featuring marble benchtops and large central communal dining and preparation bench. The home makes the most of its perfect north to rear aspect with its many balconies offering vantage points from which to enjoy the district outlook.
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48 Cowdroy Avenue, Cammeray SOLD FOR $6.3 MILLION (MARCH2014)
5 bed 3 bath 2 car
Enviably positioned in an exclusive waterfront enclave, this designer residence boasts intimate views over the boat studded bay, while providing a sophisticated sanctuary for families. It is positioned within minutes to local shops and quality schools.
16 Iluka Road, Mosman SOLD FOR $9.5 MILLION (MARCH 2014)
6 bed 5 bath 2 car
Over 1,720 sqm of lush landscaped gardens and stunning luxury combine spectacularly to make this prestigious family home one of Sydney’s finest. An entertainer’s dream, this home has an effortless indoor/ outdoor sensibility with virtually all rooms extending seamlessly to a series of vast alfresco terraces, swimming pool, landscaped gardens and expansive lawns.
11 Simmons Street, Balmain East SOLD FOR $8,650,000 (MAY 2013)
4 bed 4 bath 2 car
This significant residence was architecturally-reinvented in 2008 offering a truly unrivalled waterfront-oasis. A meticulous marriage of the original construction to the brand-new wing was achieved through inspired design and pays sympathetic homage to its original era. With a focus on space and light, the indoor/outdoor areas take full advantage of the Northern-light and Harbour-side setting.
112 Wolsely Road, Point Piper SOLD FOR $37 MILLION (JUNE 2014)
5 bed 7 bath 4 car
This world-class contemporary harbour view residence is an architectural triumph with a 30- metre frontage to the world’s most beautiful harbour. Designed by leading architect David Katon, this private holding has been expertly adapted for lavish entertaining and flexible modern family living.
T: 02 9011 7100 www. sohoproperty.com.au SALES | LEASING | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT