Coastal Buys Magazine May 2024

Witheriff Group provides a bespoke real estate service for clients seeking an enviable coastal lifestyle.

We specialise in beachfront family homes to coastal apartments, and we are here to help you buy and sell your dream property in the Kingscliff & Casuarina region.

Our team brings together leading-edge, award winning real estate agents, all united by a vision to do things differently. We’re experienced in the deal and quick to react. While we work fast and react quickly, it’s always with strategy, foresight and clarity. Our ability to push

the boundaries on what can be done and how it should be done has seen us become one of the most sought-after voices in northern New South Wales

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO SELL PLEASE CONTACT US TODAY!

Nick Witheriff DIRECTOR

HEAD OF WITHERIFF GROUP

TOP 5% LJ HOOKER 0405 618 477

Brian Dangerfield

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR (SALES) - WG

TOP 5% LJ HOOKER 0418 962 548

Denise Dangerfield

If you would like a free appraisal or have any questions about the Kingscliff & Casuarina area, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We are...

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR (SALES) - WG TOP 5% LJ HOOKER 0418 962 548

Jordan Brown

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR (SALES) - WG TOP 5% LJ HOOKER 0455 579 014

Peta Hunt

DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE & SALES ASSOCIATE - WG 0433 918 079

Carol Witheriff CO FOUNDER / ASSOCIATE

DIRECTOR OF SALES - WG 0413 056 405

Bella Johnson

OPERATIONS MANAGER & HEAD OF MARKETING – WG 0468 822 077

WELCOME

Welcome to the May edition of Coastal Buys. In this edition, we explore a Casuarina charmer for house of the month, meet mortgage broker Lindsay Olsen from Tweed Coast Home Loans in our spotlight feature, and discover styling tips from Simple Styling Solutions.

Eliza Owen from CoreLogic provides an analysis of the broader Tweed Valley market, and we have all the latest housing statistics.

Our news section covers the sale of the spectacular ‘House of Sakana’, progress on the Kai Kingscliff development, and the Tweed Valley Hospital opening.

CREDITS

Publisher

Alice & Co Media and Communications

Alice Coote - hello@aliceandco.com.au

Editorial & Advertising Enquiries

Alice Coote - info@coastalbuysmagazine.com.au

This month we have partnered with iconic Pottsville restaurant Pipit to offer readers a chance to win a $300 prize. You will find the entry conditions on page nine.

As part of exciting expansion plans for Coastal Buys, the current Kingscliff, Casuarina and Cabarita edition will now be published every second month, which means you will receive your next copy in July. We look forward to sharing further updates soon.

Thank you for your continued support of Coastal Buys –the home of luxury coastal living.

Alice Coote EDITOR

4 SPOTLIGHT

Meet Lindsay Olsen from Tweed Coast Home Loans

Designer

The Brandery

Melanie Hodge - mel@thebrandery.com.au thebrandery.com.au

House of the month photographer Open2view Tweed Coast Jacinta Harry and Ali Wright

Website coastalbuysmagazine.com.au

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Alice Coote trading as Alice & Co Media and Communications (ABN 74 019 034 865) is the publisher of Coastal Buys Magazine (the publisher, we, us, our). Some of our content may be provided by contributors and advertisers, and while we strive for accuracy, reliability, and completeness, we do not take responsibility for errors or omissions, or for the content and images within advertisements or any other content within Coastal Buys Magazine. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher and the inclusion of content does not imply the publisher’s endorsement. All materials are subject to copyright provisions, and reproduction without written permission is prohibited. Coastal Buys Magazine is prepared for your general information and has not considered the investment objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular reader. Photography included within Coastal Buys Magazine may, from time to time, be edited or enhanced. You agree to indemnify the publisher for any resulting loss or liability from your reliance on Coastal Buys Magazine.

HOUSE OF THE MONTH

Casuarina charmer

CASUARINA CHARMER

HOUSE OF THE MONTH

‘La Luna’ in Casuarina exudes the warmth and charm of a home that was designed with love and intention.

The origins of the home read like a love story, named after a beach on a Caribbean island where the owners were engaged.

Drawing inspiration from nature and its spectacular beachfront location, this property offers a relaxed and tranquil setting.

The natural surroundings are embraced through the clever use of soaring ceilings and voids, louvered glass windows and sliding and bi-fold doors, as well as vantage points which capture peaceful views of coastal vegetation.

The three-storey dwelling, built in 2019, sits on 704 square metres and was designed by the current owners in collaboration with John Hyde of OH Architecture.

While the impressive location and exceptional features inspire, the cleverly crafted practicality of this home also shines through, with considerations for multi-generational living and remote working arrangements integrated into the design.

A covered walkway lined with tropical plants, provides a welcoming entry to the home.

Address

749 Casuarina Way, Casuarina

Agency

LJ Hooker Witheriff Group

Nick Witheriff

Carol Witheriff

Inside, you are met with a functional, sophisticated design and quality materials including an open-plan layout, burnished concrete floors and concrete kitchen bench, a floor to ceiling hand-crafted basalt stone fireplace in the living area and a large void adorned with three statement coastal-style pendant lights above the dining area.

There is a seamless flow to a generously-sized outdoor entertaining space, featuring a kitchen with built-in barbecue and fridge, as well as a wall mounted weatherproof television, which can be viewed from the adjoining swimming pool and spa.

The soaring cedar-lined ceiling, which extends to the top of the first floor, creates a sense of grandeur and luxury. The height of the outdoor ceiling also allows rooms on the first floor to enjoy uninterrupted views of the outdoor entertaining area and backyard.

The spacious yard is framed perfectly by tropical plantings including two striking Pandanus Pedunculatus trees, and offers direct access to Casuarina Beach via a rear gate.

The ground floor also features a walk-in pantry, powder room, storage, laundry and double garage, as well as space for a DA approved lift to be added.

The clever, family friendly design continues on the first floor, where you will find a family room, four bedrooms, an office and two bathrooms. A deck at the front of the home can be accessed from two of these bedrooms.

The master retreat is housed on the second floor and is reminiscent of a luxury resort with a built-in fireplace, large ensuite and walk-in robe. It features its own balcony with an outdoor shower, where you can enjoy serene views as you listen to the sounds of the ocean.

Another highlight of the home is the expertly designed, large multipurpose room on the second floor, which has been crafted with a high ceiling and exposed beams. Adjoined by its own wet bar and bathroom, this versatile space offers countless opportunities.

With its clever design, quality materials and fusion with nature, ‘La Luna’ is an inviting Casuarina charmer ready for its new owners to write the next chapter of its story.

MAKING WAVES

Coastal Buys talks to Tweed Coast Home Loans Mortgage Broker

Lindsay Olsen to discover what he enjoys about the industry and his views on the current market.

What led you to a career in this industry?

I’ve been in the industry since completing my training in Sydney in 2019. Prior to this, I had a lengthy career in engineering as a technical manager in the steel industry.

I’ve always had a passion for property investment and financial independence but it wasn’t until my wife and I had committed to moving north that I decided to pursue a career in the field of my personal interests. We arrived on the Tweed Coast in late 2019 and set up the business shortly after.

My drive behind starting Tweed Coast Home Loans was really wanting to help other young families buy their homes and become financially free through investing in property.

What services does Tweed Coast Home Loans offer?

Tweed Coast Home Loans offers a client centric, one-to-one lending experience. I personally work with all my clients from start to finish for all of their home lending needs.

With the significant growth in property values throughout the Tweed region over the past few years, I’m seeing lots of refinances with people looking to access some of the equity in their homes to pay for renovations and improvements, as well as looking to leverage this growth into the purchase of investment properties.

Our services also include preapprovals, purchases, bridging finance and helping first home buyers access the Federal Government’s Home Guarantee Scheme.

What do you enjoy most about working in this industry?

The most rewarding part of my job, hands down, is helping people buy their first home. There’s something about being a part of this milestone event in their lives that makes me smile.

I feel really honoured to be in a position to educate people about the purchasing process, compare and contrast various loan types and features, and also to assist them with accessing government grants, stamp duty exemptions or incentive schemes.

It’s so true that saving your first deposit is the hardest part of buying property. So it is very humbling to be in a position where these people put their trust in you to find them a home loan solution

“THE MOST REWARDING PART OF MY JOB, HANDS DOWN, IS HELPING PEOPLE BUY THEIR FIRST HOME.”

that is going to get them into that first home, after all their hard work.

What do you believe this area offers buyers?

The Tweed Coast provides buyers the perfect blend of space and proximity. We’re so lucky to live in such an idyllic spot, with long stretches of swimmable beaches, a relaxed yet vibrant street scene and café culture, and only minutes to some remarkable rainforests, national parks and watering holes.

With ready access to the Gold Coast Airport, it’s so easy to get to wherever you might need to go for work, rest or play.

To read about Lindsay’s views on the current market visit coastalbuysmagazine.com.au

Visit coastalbuysmagazine.com.au to find

TWEED VALLEY MARKET REFLECTIONS

CoreLogic Head of Research Australia

Eliza Owen provides an analysis of the Tweed Valley market, four years on from the pandemic.

The median dwelling value across Tweed Valley was $966,027 in April, with overall dwelling market values having increased 1.0% in the three months to April. This included a 0.3% lift in detached house values, with a median of $1,081,535, and a 3.3% rise in the unit sector, where the median value was $747,422.

Like most big regional centres, growth in Tweed Valley was characterised by an extraordinary uplift between the onset of the pandemic, and a peak in early 2022 before the start of rate rises. The onset of COVID in March 2020 to the cyclical peak in March 2022 saw Tweed Valley dwelling values increase 62.0%, or the equivalent of a $366,000 rise in the median dwelling value. This was definitely one of the larger COVID upswings across the country, as desirable sea change markets saw a surge in demand amid the normalisation of remote work trends.

The market saw a corrective period between March 2022 and January 2023. The peak-to-trough fall in value through this period was -12.3%,

amid rising interest rates, affordability constraints, deep lows in consumer sentiment readings and high cost of living pressures.

However, the market entered ‘recovery mode’ in 2023. As of April this year, values continued to rise, and were just -2.4% below the record high in March 2022. This recovery in home values is quite remarkable considering interest rates and cost of living pressures are still high, but this has proven to be a broad-based phenomenon across the Australian housing market. It is generally thought that tight supply levels have contributed to the floor under home values, where high migration has added to demand, and a slowdown in the completion of dwellings means supply is not keeping up. This is also reflected in total listings volumes across Tweed Valley, which was 566 properties for sale in the month of March, down 27% year-on-year.

Since the onset of COVID, the cumulative change in dwelling values across the Tweed Valley was 58.1% through to the end of April this year. This is an outperformance of the broader Richmond Tweed region (where values have increased 48.9% in the same period), and the Australian dwelling market (up 34.4%).

Tight rental markets have also contributed to upward pressure on prices, where rents have increased 7.9% in the past year, and have risen a cumulative 47.3% since the start of the pandemic.

While market conditions remain resilient in terms of rising value, there is some evidence that more demand is being skewed to slightly ‘cheaper’ pockets of the market. In the past 12 months, most of the highest growth rates have been in suburbs with

a median value of less than $1,000,000. These include Bilambil Heights, both up 17.8%, Tweed Heads West which was up 15.8%, and Tweed Heads, up around 15.2% in the past 12 months. The reason for higher rates of growth in this segment may be the limited borrowing capacity of prospective buyers under high interest rates. At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest suburb-level growth rate observed in the past 12 months was across Kingscliff, where home values are relatively high for the region, and rose just 2.5% in the past 12 months. Values across Kingscliff were also flat in the March quarter.

“AS WE MOVE FURTHER FROM THE PANDEMIC PERIOD, A LASTING STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN HOUSING AND WORK-LIFE PREFERENCES SEEMS TO HAVE MADE EXTRAORDINARY VALUE GAINS STICK ACROSS THE REGION.”

Overall, the Tweed Valley market has tipped back in favour of sellers, after a brief decline in market conditions through 2022. Selling times have reduced to a median of 35 days in the three months to April, from 56 days a year prior. Sales volumes have risen over 15.6% in the past year. As we move further from the pandemic period, a lasting structural change in housing and work-life preferences seems to have made extraordinary value gains stick across the region.

To read more about Eliza’s analysis of the current market, visit coastalbuysmagazine.com.au

NEW KINGSCLIFF RECORD

Record sale for ‘House of Sakana’

A luxury beachfront home on Cylinders Drive has recorded the highest ever sale for a single lot residential property in Kingscliff.

The Japanese-inspired masterpiece at 37 Cylinders Drive, sold for $8.95 million through LJ Hooker Witheriff Group’s Nick Witheriff and Carol Witheriff.

The property, known as ‘House of Sakana’, sits on 1,012 square metres and was featured as house of the month in the March edition of Coastal Buys.

Witheriff Group Director Nick Witheriff said the vendors were “over the moon with the sale result”.

“The result is the highest single lot residential sale ever recorded in Kingscliff,” Mr Witheriff said.

In comparison, 15-17 Cylinders Drive, Kingscliff, which sold for $8.97 million, is on a double block, and 44-48 North

Point Avenue, Kingscliff, which sold in January this year for $9.45 million, is on a triple block.

Mr Witheriff said ‘House of Sakana’ has many unique features including a 25,000 litre fish pond with Koi fish, a timber jetty, a combined water and fire feature, a rooftop garden and deck, as well as an infinity pool, a wine cellar and a cinema room.

To read more and watch an exclusive video tour, visit coastalbuysmagazine.com.au

New apartment build commences

Demolition works are now complete and construction has started on a new luxury apartment complex known as Kai Kingscliff.

Holm Developments Managing Director Godfrey Esmonde said they have appointed Infinitec as the contract builder for the project.

“We’re thrilled to announce that early works are officially underway on our second project on the Tweed Coast,” Mr Esmonde said.

Kai Kingscliff will feature 14 beachfront residences including three penthouses, with apartment prices starting from $3.505 million.

The project has been designed by Tim Stewart Architects, with CBRE Gold Coast the appointed selling agent.

Holm Developments is also building the $79 million Pama in Casuarina, which is due for completion in the third quarter of this year. Apartments in Pama are now 95 per cent sold.

For more information, visit kaikingscliff.com.au

Tweed Valley Hospital

Tweed Valley Hospital opening

The new $723.3 million Tweed Valley Hospital is set to open on Tuesday 14 May, providing a vital new piece of infrastructure for the Tweed Coast region.

The hospital development at 771 Cudgen Road, Cudgen, has supported up to 650 jobs throughout the project, with around 75 per cent of workers local to the Tweed and Byron regions at the peak of construction.

The Tweed Hospital at Powell Street, Tweed Heads, closes the same day the new hospital opens.

For more information, visit tweedvalleyhospital.health.nsw.gov.au

37 Cylinders Drive, Kingscliff

The winner can also pick any unframed Gyotaku Print from the Pipit website at pipitrestaurant.com. These art prints capture and celebrate local seafood and vegetables used in the seasonal menus.

Dine at award winning Pipit in Pottsville. Experience the a la carte menu (Friday, Saturday, Sunday lunch + Monday dinner) or set menu (Thursday, Friday + Saturday dinner).

HOW TO ENTER

1) Visit coastalbuysmagazine.com.au and subscribe to our mailing list

2) Follow @pipitrestaurant and @coastal_buys on Instagram

3) Tag a friend in the Pipit competition post on both Instagram profiles

SCAN QR CODE TO VISIT THE COASTAL BUYS SITE

CORELOGIC

Explore the latest property values and rental prices at a glance with CoreLogic’s monthly snapshot.

WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? Visit coastalbuysmagazine.com.au for our latest articles and extended analysis.

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SELLING CORELOGIC QUARTERLY SNAPSHOT

QUARTERLY SELLING TRENDS

(Houses & Units)

$1,206,561 BOGANGAR

$1,809,060 CASUARINA $1,315,206 KINGSCLIFF 0.0% 1.2% 1.2%

RENTAL CORELOGIC QUARTERLY SNAPSHOT

QUARTERLY RENTAL TRENDS

INTERIOR STYLING TIPS

Simple Styling Solutions Director

Liz Ohl explores the challenges people often face when styling their homes and provides tips to overcome them.

Ah, styling – it’s often difficult knowing where to start!

Styling your home can be a daunting task for many people. We often hear from clients who feel overwhelmed, and struggle to create a cohesiveness that is both visually appealing but also homely.

So why is this process so overwhelming?

• Too many options

• Decision fatigue

• Fear of messing up

• Comparison syndrome

• Budget constraints

• Lack of confidence

• Emotional attachment

Fear not, because there are no set rules in this creative realm. However, here are five simple strategies we believe will help you start crafting a functional and fabulous space.

1. Layers

Picture your decor as layers with different heights, textures and arrangements all coming together.

Whether it’s a stack of books or a curated display of magazines, layers add depth and intrigue, turning your space three-dimensional.

2. Texture

Explore the treasure trove of materials! Experiment with ceramics, glass and metals. Mix and match rough with smooth, shiny with matte, to create an area with visual interest.

3. Colour palette

Let your colour palette reflect your vibe and style. Start with a focal point, such as artwork, and let the colours dictate where you are headed. Don’t be scared to explore shades of these colours.

4. Greenery

Plants and flowers breathe life into your space, adding texture, vitality and that unmistakable feeling of home. Whether it’s a cascade of ivy or a vase of elegant tulips, greenery adds an organic touch to your home.

5. Space

Give your belongings some breathing room and embrace the mantra of “less is more”. Clutter-free zones not only look better but also feel calmer, inviting you to kick back and relax in style.

Still feeling overwhelmed by the huge array of styling options?

Whether you’re sprucing up your current digs, prepping for a fresh start or presenting your home for sale, you could always explore the option of enlisting the help of an interior designer or styling expert.

About Simple Styling Solutions

Simple Styling Solutions offer styling consultations and home staging packages to prepare properties for sale. Based in Chinderah NSW, they service from the Northern Gold Coast to Evans Head.

To find out more about Simple Styling Solutions, visit simplestylingsolutions.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @simplestylingsolutions

ON THE MARKET

Agent Adam Thompson

Agency Kingscliff Sales and Rentals

Agents Sarah Drew Emily Drew

Agents Matt Whiting Rhys Williamson

Agents Jamie Wilmen Jesse Wilmen

Agents Glen Archer Jo Boulden Agency

Agent Paul Charlton

Looking to invest in property? Here’s how to calculate your equity

If you've owned your home for several years, there's a good chance you've accumulated some equity.

Equity is the difference between the value of your home and your outstanding mortgage, and can be expressed as a number or percentage.

For example, if you originally bought a $1 million home with a $200,000 deposit and $800,000 loan, your starting equity would've been $200,000 / 20% (while the lender's would've been $800,000 / 80%).

If your home had since increased in value to $1.2 million and you'd reduced your loan to $744,000, your equity would've increased to $456,000 / 38%. (That’s because the difference between $1.2 million and $744,000 is $456,000, and $456,000 is 38% of $1.2 million.)

Total equity vs useable equity

The reason equity matters is because you can potentially borrow against that equity and use those funds to renovate your home or put down a deposit on an investment property. You’d be able to convert your paper wealth into functional cash.

Generally, lenders are comfortable with homeowners reducing their equity to 20%. It's possible to go beyond this, but lenders will generally expect the borrower to pay lenders mortgage insurance.

So as a general rule, assume your ‘useable equity’ would be your current equity stake minus 20%. In our hypothetical example, that would be 18% (i.e. 38% minus 20%).

How to capitalise on your equity

As part of the process of tapping into your equity, a formal valuation by the lender is conducted which, as a broker, we can request on your behalf.

Along with the valuation, lenders will also look at your credit conduct, so having all your repayments paid on time and not overspending on your expenses, will make the process for the equity release an easy one.

Is borrowing against your equity right for you?

Cashing out equity can be a clever (and profitable) financial strategy. Bear in mind though, that it involves risk, because it means taking on more debt, so it’s not suitable for everyone.

Get in touch if you’re thinking about tapping into your equity. We can calculate how much equity you have, explain how you might be able to use that equity, and outline the pros and cons of your options.

If you decide to proceed, we’ll make things easy for you by managing the entire loan application process from start to finish. Call our office on 1300 003 414.

HOUSES/ TOWNHOUSES

Agents Brian Dangerfield Denise Dangerfield

Agency LJ Hooker Witheriff Group

Agency LJ Hooker Witheriff Group

Agents

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