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outh East Queensland sits ready to welcome the many home seekers who are expected to head there when the coronavirus tempest passes. Be it properties close to the beaches or hinterland offerings, they represent a cheaper housing option as well as a more relaxed lifestyle. There’s value for money on Brisbane’s fringe and on the Gold Coast – both likely to prove tempting compared to what’s available in Sydney and Melbourne. John McGrath, founder of McGrath Estate Agents, believes there will be a surge in demand in luxury homes away from the bustling suburbs in our major capitals when the country bounces back from the COVID-19 pandemic. “I anticipate that rural and regional luxury homes within two hours of the big cities will see a surge in demand as they did post 9/11, when many people reassessed their priorities and lifestyle became top of mind,” McGrath says. McGrath Bayside Manly agent Joseph Lordi says that Queensland offers tremendous opportunity and value. “Queensland offers a large variety of properties and the lifestyle is unmatched,” Lordi says. “Within only a handful of kilometres of the Brisbane CBD there are many large land parcels and gorgeous traditional Queenslander-style homes.” Lordi says Chandler, about 20km from the CBD and airports, and considered an inner-city acreage suburb, is one of the most sought-after areas in Brisbane. He says he’s recently seen a high influx of interstate buyers from Sydney and Melbourne but there are typically only 20 or so properties for sale each year. The tightly held suburb has an average hold rate of 24 years for each property, with the median sale price growing by about 30 per cent during the past five years. However, at $1.55 million, it remains significantly cheaper than Sydney and Melbourne’s inner ring. Properties in the suburb are typically on at least 1ha. Lordi is marketing Chandler’s former record holder, on the high point of the dress circle London Road. The grand 1ha estate last sold for $3.85 million in 2018. A stone driveway behind wrought iron gates leads to the solid concrete home’s porte cochere, past manicured hedges and landscaped gardens. With more than 900sq m of internal living space over two levels, the no-expense-spared residence features marble staircases and Spanish Crema Marfil marble flooring. On the ground level is a formal living and dining space, six-seat home theatre, dance room, home office, games room and a gym. The upper level has five bedrooms and two bathrooms. The master suite features a walk-through wardrobe, ensuite with dual vanity and access to two Juliet
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MANSIONAUSTRALIA.COM.AU
THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN
| APRIL 11-12, 2020
