‘Addams Family’ house on market for spooky $2.5 million

Real Estate Agent Louise Snowden expects the Moore Park property will sell for $2.5 million. Picture: Tim Hunter

 

THE laminated sign to the left of the front door is ominous.

“Inspection is at your own risk,” it tells the dozens of curious locals as they walk in for an open house one gloomy Thursday morning.
On this occasion, The Saturday Telegraph is among them. A single stride past the threshold reveals that printed warning is anything but overstated.
The entire house seems to moan with every footstep.

Verulam is on the market for the first time since 1924. Picture: Tim Hunter

“It’s got a certain charm to it,” one jumper-clad optimist says as he casts his eager eyes upwards.
Verulam, named after an ancient town in the south of Roman-occupied Britain, is on the market for the first time since 1924.
Now the death of 98-year-old Jacqueline Mary Schmidt, who nearly spent her entire life in the breathtaking Paddington manor, will result in its auction on September 11.
The gothic look of the five-bedroom mansion has led to it being dubbed, to the chagrin of the Raine & Horne team selling the property, The Addams Family house.

The period features of this house are still in tact but in need of some loving attention. Picture: Tim Hunter

Its splintery wood and brick face, nestled between the pristine cement rendering and 21st century renovations of Moore Park Road, makes the “corny” nickname understandable. It even boasts a marble-topped iron bath shaped like a coffin.

You can’t help but all but almost feel the poltergeists’ eyes glaring at you from the many oblong holes in the ceilings.

But for much of the past 90 years Verulam has not been home to any creepy or kooky families, just a much-loved and religious old lady.
Schmidt, or “Aunty Toots” as she was known, died in November at the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home in Randwick, where she is well remembered. Her 141-year-old home is expected to fetch $2.5 million.

Verulam is 124 years old and was owned by Jacqueline Mary Schmidt who lived in the house for 90 years. She was 98 when she died recently. Picture: Tim Hunter

 

Verulam is no heritage listed but the City of Sydney has requested that the style and integrity of the building’s facade be maintained. Picture: Tim Hunter

Though tempting to describe the tattered home as a renovator’s dream, it is probably more suited to a wannabe-ghostbuster.
You can’t help but almost feel the poltergeists’ eyes glaring at you from the many oblong holes in the ceilings.
Real estate agent Louise Snowden explains that the owner, who you’d be forgiven for feeling hasn’t quite departed yet, was a devout Catholic whose money went to charity rather than the house’s upkeep.

Verulam has been named the ‘Addams Family’ house because of its unusual and spooky appearance. Picture: Tim Hunter

In fact, since a number of the walls, doors and pipes aren’t even level, the mansion has the look of a cartoon.
Even the D on the top octave of a piano, which you just know plays Greensleeves by itself late at night, is raised slightly from the rest of the keys.
On the top storey, between a wall and a slanted stretch of roof, is a tiny recess accessible only by a creaky Hobbit-high door just begging to be concealed behind a bookshelf.
The building is not on the state heritage list but as an “item of local significance” City of Sydney simply requests that the style and integrity of Verulam’s facade is maintained.
Though full of magic, this Addams Family house is not one for disappearing acts.

Real Estate Agent Louise Snowden said the owner Jacqueline Schmidt spent her money on charity rather than the upkeep of the house. Picture: Tim Hunter

 

Things are rather spooky in the basement of Verulam. Picture: Tim Hunter

 

Real Estate Agent Louise Snowden beside one of the period fireplaces with detailed picture tiles. Picture: Tim Hunter

 

Verulam has plenty of nooks and crannies. Picture: Tim Hunter


 Taylor Auerbach

The Daily Telegraph

What is an in-room auction?

What do you do if you want to sell via public auction but your home makes a shoebox look palatial?

An in-room auction may be the answer.
Residential property auctions have many fans. Advantages over private sale listings may include:

•  Multiple bidders compete simultaneously and publicly for a desired property, often resulting in a sale price at or beyond vendor expectations.
• An auction date draws a clear line in the sand, telling buyers “this home will be sold” unless you raise your hands.

What is an in-room auction?

Not every house, unit and townhouse is a good candidate for an on-site or “street” auction.
An in-room auction – where the actual auction is held at another site - can prove an excellent alternative, says Real Estate Institute of Australia President Peter Bushby.


“Some properties and sites are just not feasible to have people on-site,” Busby says. “It may be rented, it may be a privacy issue or it may be because of unpredictable weather.”

Who does it work for?

State or mortgagee auctions are often held off-site. Some properties – particularly inner-city flats and apartments – are too small to host auctions with crowds of 100 in their lounge rooms.
“The fact is they work just as well off-site as they do on-site just as long as all the other sales and marketing activity is conducted to support the auction so that it reaches its target market of buyers,” Bushby says.
“The actual location honestly doesn’t make any difference to the end result.”

Some properties – particularly inner-city flats and apartments – are too small to host auctions.

Ray White Group Chief Auctioneer New South Wales James Price has conducted more than 2000 in-room auctions in his four years as an auctioneer.
His highest sale price on record was $18 million at an in-room auction, and the most he has auctioned in one session was 38 individual homes.


The method of sale is efficient and cost-effective for both home sellers and agents, he says.
“The reasons you may have an in-room auction include the fact it is an alternative you can offer vendors to onsite auctions on a Saturday,” Price says.
“It means that if you own a flat with no heating, are selling in winter, it is next to an airport and derelict, we can run a sales campaign and in-room auction and can ensure a crowd in that room.
“I think it is very important to offer vendors and the market that choice.”
Price says there are benefits of in-room auctions.

3 benefits of in-room auctions

1. Control over variables including the weather, traffic noise or lack of parking;
2. Big opportunity to showcase a property using “slick” audio visuals pre-auction;
3. As multiple in-room auctions are held in one timeslot – usually four to eight – each property’s auction will be witnessed by more people than a standalone on-site auction and that means greater crowds of prospective buyers.

“There are great benefits for a vendor because you can capture all that cross-through buyer traffic,” Price says.
“I was auctioning eight properties at one event recently and there was a buyer there who bid at six of them.”

What does an in-room auction cost?

Costs of an in-room auction are on par with a traditional on-site auction.
Expect to pay between $100 and $400 for a pre-auction short promo of your home’s features (fewer than 60 seconds) including high-resolution colour stills images and a voiceover.
The auctioneer will cost about $300.
“To be most effective, vendors have to be prepared to invest in a professional audio visual presentation, as it is so important with in-room auctions because prospective bidders cannot physically walk through the property on the night and they need a quick reminder of why they need to buy your home.”

by Caroline Jame

Want to peek inside a sustainable house?

Who doesn’t want to conserve the planet, save money on power bills and live in a comfortable space? Yep, we all do.

And that’s the whole point of Sustainable House Day – a national initiative – now in its 13^th year.
It also gives us the chance to peek inside some of Australia’s most Earth-friendly homes



Sustainable House Day was founded in 2001 by the Australian Solar Council.
More than 1,000 Earth-friendly homes have featured in the event over the past 13 year, which runs biannually across every state and territory and has attracted more than 150,000 curious visitors to date.
Organisers are expecting more than 40,000 visitors will attend this year, says spokesperson Angela Reynoldson.
On Sunday 7 September and Sunday 14 September, more than 150 sustainable homes will open their doors to Australians between 10am and 4pm.

Super-green house owners will offer tips on what worked and the perks of a sustainable home.

During these unique open houses, super green house-owners – including David Vernon, whose home The Blue House in Melbourne has a Star Energy Rating of 7.3 – will offer tips on what worked, what didn’t and the perks of designing, building and maintaining a sustainable home. Their shared goal is to inspire and educate others.
Vernon, himself an architect, says sustainability “is an approach I have taken with every house”.
He says there are simple things that can help make most homes more sustainable.

5 simple tips for a sustainable house

1. Take advantage of the sun where possible, for heating, for drying clothes and for natural light.
2. Can your home benefit from any “cooling breezes”? One well-placed window can make a huge difference to a home’s ability to cool itself down during warmer months, reducing use of fans and air-conditioners.
3. Install more insulation. Vernon says it’s cheap these days and improves a home’s thermal efficiency.
4. Can you install roof skylights or draught windows? This means you don’t have to turn on a fan to benefit from improved ventilation.
5. Use sensible lighting and don’t overdo it. Vernon says using natural light says you don’t have to rely on artificial light.

“Yes, there are some houses that will be problematic,” he says. “But there are always things we can do to improve sustainability of our homes and the great thing is you don’t have to do huge things to notice massive improvements in sustainability and liveability.”


Vernon’s home of 18 months is in the bayside Melbourne suburb of Elwood on a 450sqm block with a 21,000 litre in-ground stormwater tank and six solar panels.
Vernon says its “passive solar design” makes the most of the sun wherever possible, helped by its uninhibited corner block aspect.

There are always things we can do to improve sustainability of our homes.

“It was not a massive block so we had to create a footprint that could accommodate us and our two young children, compact without being tight, flexible and adaptable so it could meet our needs as our children grow,” he says.
He chose to save space in the bedrooms so he could dedicate more space to “the big room”. It picks up loads of natural light and is the hub of all family eating and interacting.
“I have always had a commitment to long-term sustainable benefits and, regardless of what you’re doing or the budget, there are some (sustainable design) essentials; many of which are free.”

by Caroline James

The 10 signs you’re ready to start investing in property: Lamudi BYJENNIFER DUKE

 property portal Lamudi have shared their 10 tell-tale signs that you are ready to start building a property portfolio.

Here are their 10 indicators to look out for:

1. YOU ARE FINANCIALLY READY
   You have saved enough for the down payment and you have also established your emergency fund. You have taken into account home maintenance expenses. Your credit history is good and you are able to meet all the financial obligations.
   
2. YOU HAVE SET YOUR LONG-TERM GOALS
   You have a clear picture in your mind of the purpose of your investment and you are flexible enough to adjust to changing circumstances. You are not hesitant and when the timing is right, you are able to adapt to the market needs and the development of technologies.
   
3. YOU HAVE DONE YOUR RESEARCH
   You know the neighborhood of your future property well enough to foresee the coming trends and the possible changes in the community. You have researched all the schools in the area as well as the best commuting means and you are able to predict the next home buyers needs.
   
4. YOU HAVE CHOSEN A STABLE ECONOMY
   
   The area is financially stable, economic trends are promising and equities are surging. No demographic fluctuation or no irregular variation of population have been recorded in the area.
   
5. YOU UNDERSTAND THE COUNTRY’S POLICIES REGARDING REAL ESTATE
   The policies of the region promote and encourage a positive, innovative environment as well as drive further economic growth. The tax policy in the country is positive for homeowners. Global innovation index is rising in the area.
   
6. INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ARE UNDERWAY AND LIKELY TO LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN PROPERTY VALUES
   The infrastructure of the area is being developed with a focus on: transport, energy, solid waste and water management developments.
   
7. THE REGION IS MOVING TOWARD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
   The region’s awareness of global and local environmental issues is increasing, the demand for eco-friendly homes as well as for sustainable rural and urban development is rising. As more and more people head toward sustainable living, investing in sustainable property will increase its value in the future.
   
8. THE LOCATION DRAWS A LOT OF INTEREST
   Whether it is the best travel destination or the hot jobs spot, the location is always on the top of the search engine. It has become a successful startup hub already or is planning to do so in the coming years, driving a lot of job seekers into the area. The number of enrolled students is increasing every year, the area draws interest of international students.
   
9. YOU HAVE FOUND A RELIABLE REAL ESTATE AGENT
   If you are an overseas buyer, it is particularly crucial to make sure you have a good representative on the ground. Your real estate agent is trustworthy and knows the local market well enough to be able to help you make the choice.
   
10. YOU HAVE RESEARCHED LOCAL DIFFERENCES IN THE PROPERTY MARKET
    Whether you plan to invest in a residential property and turn it into a rental or an office space, you are fully aware of all cultural differences that might occur when you deal with a property seller.

5 sustainable flooring options

Your home’s floor will not only affect the design and feel of the space. It can also affect your health, and that of your family, and have an impact on the environment.



The decision about what to use for your floors, or what to replace them with, is an important one as usually you will not change the floors in your home very often over the years.
The issue of sustainability must now also be considered, and this includes the floor surfaces and whatever you cover them with, such as decorative rugs.
The range of materials and colour options for floors are now huge. Thankfully, the sustainable options are also growing.

The range of materials for floors are now huge … and the sustainable options are growing.

When you’re considering floors, think about who lives in your home and the areas you spend most time in.
How much foot traffic is a room or passageway going to have and how much will it need to withstand? If you have young children, pets or people with health conditions such as asthma , these things will also influence your choices.
Finally, you need to think about how much time you want to spend cleaning and maintaining your floors.

5 sustainable flooring options

1. Sustainable carpet

If you are keen on carpets, wool, sisal and jute are great choices.
There are now carpet companies that actively reduce carpet’s impact on the environment. There is even one that uses recycled carpet backing, which results in more than 1200 tonnes of waste carpet being diverted away from landfill each year.
Recycled carpet tiles are another alternative for people looking for carpets. They divert 600ml drink bottles from landfill and you then also have the option of an eco-friendly underlay.

2. Bamboo

Bamboo flooring is a sustainable alternative to timber floors and is now widely available. Bamboo is actually a grass that shares similar characteristics as hardwood.  It’s durable, easy to maintain, easy to install and it looks great.
Bamboo is sustainable because it is very fast growing, reaching maturity in three to five years.  Bamboo is a light material and you can find it in a variety of colours to match your décor.

3. Polished concrete

Polished concrete floors are increasingly popular and it can be an excellent environmentally friendly flooring material, particularly when manufactured out of recycled materials.
Polished concrete has long life cycles and is energy efficient. It improves indoor environmental quality and there are endless design options. Concrete floors can be not just functional but also aesthetically beautiful – and they are excellent for trapping and releasing heat.

4. Recycled timber

Second-hand and recycled products are also an option. Recycled and reclaimed timbers are now being used more widely for flooring.  You can find a range of salvage yards and specialty recycled timber companies, and reclaimed timbers can be extremely beautiful.

5. Natural lino

Natural lino products (not to be confused with vinyl) are a great choice. Lino is a durable, long-lasting floor covering made from a renewable resource that is biodegradable. It can be swept, which reduces the need for water, power or chemicals for cleaning. Lino can be dried easily and is great for wet areas, preventing the build-up of mould and mildew.

by Helen Edwards

Surry Hills designer building has 57 people vying for every apartment —and it’s not even built yet

The Foveaux is to have a preview on Saturday August 23. It is on a former Legion cab taxi depot in Surry Hills. Picture: Supplied.

The Foveaux, to be built on the former Legion Cabs taxi rank in Foveaux St, will officially go on sale on September 6 but by Tuesday this week there were already 3150 buyers registered.

DAVID WALSH TO SELL DARLO PENTHOUSE

That amounts to 57 people vying for every apartment in the block.

The old taxi office on Foveaux St is currently in a state of disrepair but will soon host in-demand units (inset).

CBRE Director Ben Stewart said the limited new apartment sites in Surry Hills and level of design in the project had attracted buyers.

“Surry Hills is a very strong location and it is hard to get a site this size,” Mr Stewart said.

“People also appreciate the design focus of the building.”

The Foveaux is to have a preview on Saturday August 23. It is on a former Legion cab taxi depot in Surry Hills

Ragtrader turned developer Danny Avidan first made headlines when he paid $18 million for the site at 81 Foveaux St last year. High profile architects SJB and interior designers BKH have been brought on to complete The Foveaux, which will feature a rooftop garden with city views and apartments with luxe interiors.

“It will be an iconic building that will be identifiable with Surry Hills and myself,” said Mr Avidan.

Mr Stewart said its unique design was a big selling point.

Real Estate - 81 Foveaux St, Surry Hills, NSw

“It will not look like the standard block of apartments and buyers who are very design focused appreciate this,” Mr Stewart said.

He said a number of would-be buyers had also put down a $5000 deposit as an expression of interest, ahead of the official sale date. He declined to state the exact number who had handed over the sizeable amount of cash. In the off the plan buying process the first option on apartments goes to those who have made an expression of interest deposit.

Real Estate - 81 Foveaux St Surry Hills, NSW

The price of the apartments, above the Surry Hills median, has not put off punters. Apartments on offer range from $700,000 for a one bedroom, $995,000 for a two bedroom and three bedrooms at $1.5 million. The median apartment price for Surry Hills is $600,000 according to RP Data figures.

The city fringe suburb has been a good investment for those who have bought property in the area. The median house price has risen by 53.4 per cent over the last five years, while apartment prices have jumped 42.9 per cent over that time.

• BY JEN MELOCCO REAL ESTATE REPORTER
• WENTWORTH COURIER

$20 million gothic mansion hits market

Grandeur: The 1856-built residence Craigholme at Darling Point has been updated by heritage architect Howard Tanner.

The historic Darling Point residence Craigholme, designed by colonial architect Edmund Blacket and home to Allianz Australia chairman John Curtis, heads up this week's prestige line-up.

The three-storey sandstone property on Yarranabbe Road was bought by Curtis in 1993 for $1.62 million from the late Sue Punch, widow of former state deputy premier Leon Punch. More recently, the Gothic-style home has been sympathetically brought into the modern age with a renovation by heritage architect Howard Tanner and with interiors by Michael Love.

Built in 1856, the five-bedroom home boasts iconic harbour views from the grand drawing room, formal dining room and the conservatory-style family room, all of which also overlook the pool. Given the downsizing plans of Curtis and his wife Anna, it is listed with hopes of more than $20 million with Clint Ballard, of Ballard Property, and Michael Pallier, of Sotheby's International.

Gatsby-esque: Julia Ross's Villa del Mare at Wolseley Road, Point Piper looks straight down the barrel of the Harbour Bridge.

Ross villa back in play   

Recruitment queen Julia Ross has had a will-I, won't-I approach to selling her Point Piper mansion Villa del Mare in recent years. This is, after all, the prized trophy home that topped the non-waterfront record in 2005 when Ross bought it for $21.5 million.

Originally on the market at $40 million-plus in 2011, it was soon off the market, presumably because the now London-based founder of Julia Ross Recruitment couldn't part with the three-storey residence and its gun-barrel Harbour Bridge views. But no more. A guide of $40 million-plus is confirmed and apparently the decision to sell is locked in. See Bill Malouf, of LJ Hooker Double Bay, or Ken Jacobs, of Christie's International, for a look-see.

Designer: John Porter's house at Hillside Avenue, Vaucluse is like a work of art.

Call the Porter 

Now that Telenet chief John Porter and his wife Susan Mougey and family are presumably settled into their new life in Belgium, where Porter took up his role as head of the cable, broadband and telecommunications giant last April, the couple have offered up their designer Vaucluse mansion.

Designed by US architect Tom Rivard, the stunning four-storey residence is more of a hillside sculpture than a house. Set around a grand central living area and with an awesome circular staircase, it comes with mezzanine-style bedroom wings, home theatre, self-contained guest quarters, poolside cabana, Will Dangar-designed gardens and interiors by Briony Fitzgerald. It last traded in 2006 for $7.17 million and was rebuilt in 2009. Following the family's move to Europe early last year, it was listed for in excess of $11 million, but is now in the hands of McGrath's Ben Collier and Black Diamondz Concierge's Monika Tu with $10 million on the agreement.

John Porter's house at Hillside Avenue.

Hillside high-flyers

Hillside Avenue commands more than just elevated harbour views. The highest sale of 2011 was the $21.5 million paid for the house a few doors away by the Yang family, and earlier this year property investor Le Tran exchanged on some $14 million for the long-held Kurdian family home.

Allen re-launches Yoorami

The Bellevue Hill estate Yoorami is also being offered up this spring.

The Bellevue Hill estate Yoorami is also being offered up this spring with a more serious commitment to sell by yachtie Matt Allen given his recent $32 million purchase in Darling Point of the waterfront estate of the late Sir William Tyree. The Yachting Australia president bought the Victoria Road property in 1995 for $5.65 million from barrister couple Geraldine Vandeleur and Charles Sweeney, QC, making the 2800-square-metre-estate that year's highest non-waterfront sale.

The 1920s-era home, more recently redesigned by Michael Suttor and with interiors by Thomas Hamel, was first listed last November with another agent, but Allen withdrew it earlier this year and has relisted in time for spring with Bill Malouf, who has maintained its $17 million guide.

Scotts on the move  

Seven Network executive James Scott and his wife Rachel are selling their designer digs in Vaucluse.

Seven Network executive James Scott and his wife Rachel are selling their designer digs in Vaucluse with hopes of more than $10 million. The couple bought the north-facing block on Wentworth Road in 2008 for $5.35 million, and commissioned a rebuild by architect Edward Szewczyk.

The now three-storey home with the rooftop deck, swimming pool and harbour views has been home to the couple since they sold their Paddington terrace on Ormond Street in 2009 for $1.53 million. No word yet on the couple's coming plans, except that expressions of interest close on September 10 through Pillinger's Brad Pillinger.

Shhhh!

James Scott's Vaucluse property.

Guess which prolific actor has a soap opera happening in her own building over a dodgy DA?

Model consolidation

Jennifer Hawkins and her husband Jake Wall are consolidating their property assets following their $4 million waterfront purchase in Newport in March, listing the Bondi apartment she bought in 2007 for $895,000.

Consolidating: Jennifer Hawkins' property at Henderson Street Bondi.

The savvy property investor and former Miss Universe has also off-loaded her former home in North Curl Curl, after it was listed in April for $4 million-plus. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom Bondi spread is in more glamorous shape than when it last traded, although it still boasts the same district view to the ocean.

McGrath's Adrian Bo has given it a guide of $1.1 million-plus ahead of its September 20 auction.

Kings penthouse

Going up country: Peter Kuruvita's terrace home at Portman Street, Zetland.

When Sydney Kings centre Andrew "AJ" Ogilvy returned from his professional playing years in Europe last year, he bought a three-bedroom apartment for $1,275,000 as his Sydney home.

Now having confirmed his return to Europe's elite competition, the 26-year-old tower (who measures at 2.11 metres tall) is selling it in a stronger market with a guide of $1.35 million-plus.

Marketed as the "lower level penthouse", the 17th-floor spread in The Common is listed with Giorgio Koula, of Sotheby's International. AJ also owns an investment apartment in Jackson's Landing, for which he paid $716,000 in 2012.

Click for more photos

Craigholme, Darling Point

Yarranabbe Rd, Darling Point.

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Kuruvita heads north

Chef, restaurateur and Logie nominee from 2012, Peter Kuruvita and his wife Karen areselling their Zetland terrace given their recent move to Queensland near his latest restaurant venture, the Noosa Beach House Peter Kuruvita.

Kuruvita bought the Portman Street terrace for $715,000 in 2004, the same year he opened his Flying Fish restaurant. Renovated in recent years, the three-bedder has a north-east aspect to the back courtyard and open-plan living area, a second living area upstairs and a study.

It goes to auction on September 20 for upwards of $1.25 million through McGrath's Ben Forsyth.

Lucy Macken

Domain Prestige Reporter