People who look at a lot of real estate – house hunters and property writers included, often find themselves under the impression that they have such vast experience  they don’t even have to open the front door to know what lies beyond.

How wrong we can be!

27 Mathews St in Davidson has an absolutely charming, almost story book streetscape. It’s sharply angled dormer windows are reminiscent of a dolls house – and with two perfect mop top robinias in the front garden, well, it all looks story book perfect. Yet walk through the immaculate front garden, cross the verandah, open the door and you will be amazed. This is a very big  (and equally immaculate), house – not in dolls’ house proportions at all. The surprises start with the high ceilings and wide black and white tiled entry hall, which has lounge rooms to the left and right. Through to a dining room which is open to the kitchen and then out to the upper deck.

Upstairs and the bedrooms are all double sized or bigger, with a newly renovated bathroom with a particularly deep spa bath – a necessity for a family with four sons.

Downstairs and more of that living space can be found in a billiards room that opens to a truly striking oasis style pool that meanders around to the dining cabana and waterfall. Again, I have seen a lot of pools – but this one is absolutely striking.

The sense of space is enhanced by a low perimeter fence beyond which is a mown stretch of reserve, which blurs into the bush and a dramatic stand of bulrushes. A joy to behold – and presented with enormous care.

Davidson offers many great streets – this is one of them, with this house being a star.

Contact Skyline Real Estate

Prue Miller is a property writer with News Local

Some beach side homes merely observe the sand and water, whereas this Clontarf home blends in with the action as Prue Miller reports.

Harbourside homes, such as 1a Monash Crescent have an urban sophistication not always found in exclusive houses further up the peninsula. Clontarf Beach demands cool, elegant design.

Owner Steve Day and renowned architect Jon King from King Design have worked together to create this remarkable home, tucked away into the Clontarf hill. “It protects the home from southerly’s,” Steve said, “but we still keep the sunlight all day.”

The home is an uncomplicated concrete and masonry layout with oversized openings that blurr the line between inside with all that is happening outside, creating a connection that separates this home from the rest.

Italian limestone is used throughout the home, but rather than being monotonous, the stone has different finishes designed to interest the visitor, and further hints at beachside relaxation. The strong timber statements , reminiscent of the ever-present beachside Norfolk pines add to the chilled out atmosphere.

Terraces and decks can be found across the three levels, but perhaps the most striking is the dining sundeck, perched over the sand, meters from the water.

All the fixtures are top of the range, and the four bedrooms and five mosaic tiled bathrooms are as spacious as you would expect. It is the smaller detail, from the keyless entry to the pool sized spa beachside and a well-concealed boathouse (with wet bar and entertainment zone) that has direct access to the water. What is most surprising is that here is a more than substantial sized beach home that far from detracting from the beauty of the landscape, actually contributes to it.

Prue Miller is a property writer for the News Local

For more pictures go to the LJ Hooker website, or the Manly Daily

Writing Real Estate copy is pretty seasonal – Autumn is a good time to write about the mountains, Winter is a good time for the alps, Spring is all about Canberra but for Sydney it’s all about Summer listings.

For Summer you tap into the longing for happy times: relaxation, release even romance.

Prue Miller is an experienced writer; she’s a published author, a newspaper journo, a magazine writer, and an experienced TV and Corporate Communications wordsmith.

She’s also a real estate writer – go figure!

Newspaper, online, post cards, billboards … if it needs words, she knows the ones to line up.

Email : prue@pruemiller.com, or leave a message here at the blogsite.

Went to a big auction last week of 4 vacant lots in Seaforth. Big crowd – and quite a few registered bidders. Still had a clearance rate of 50% on the day, though the agent, Hookers, are looking good to tie the last two up in the next couple of weeks. From the size of the crowd that turned up on a roasting Saturday afternoon that would seem entirely likely.

Many buyers are still sitting on their hands at auction.

Thank goodness those interest rates have come down a tad – it might give the market a nudge in the right direction – not that it hasn’t been busy, but those clearance rates could look a lot healthier.

Have seen some great houses this month – and talked with some inspiring vendors. I was so bowled over after talking with the owners of 5 Kilkenny Avenue in Killarney Heights that I went to the open house to have a good look around, and rather than be disappointed (as I often am after studying the pictures and the paperwork) I was happily surprised. Just fabulous – I had to be dragged out of there… such great textures – wood, stainless steel, travertine … and the hoop pine ceiling treatment? Wow. Great design everywhere you looked. McGrath at Seaforth have the listing.

5 Kilkenny - cutting edge design with new and interesting mix of textures and era

Talking about great looks – the open plan indoor/outdoor deck/lounge featured at 24 Bungan Head Road … works brilliantly. The standout though is that great circular couch that softens the strong architectural lines of the entire level.

24 Bungan Head Road

Had to write a piece about great water views last week – and came across this. Such things are dreams made of? 190 Barrenjoey Road – the listing is with Hookers Mona Vale.

190 Barrenjoey Road

Writing Real Estate copy is pretty seasonal – Autumn is a good time to write about the mountains, Winter is a good time for the alps, Spring is all about Canberra but for Sydney it’s all about Summer listings.

For Summer you tap into the longing for happy times: relaxation, release even romance.

Prue Miller is an experienced writer; she’s a published author, a newspaper journo, a magazine writer, and an experienced TV and Corporate Communications wordsmith.

She’s also a real estate writer – go figure!

Newspaper, online, post cards, billboards … if it needs words, she knows the ones to line up.

From time to time she’ll post her favourite houses and homes on this site – if you need copy written for your agency don’t hesitate to contact me on 0402 102 887 or send an email to prue@pruemiller.com.

Competitive rates and excellent service – how’s that for good advertising copy?

Cheers for now.