Some tasty prestige properties to dream about.
Money may not grow on trees, but an investment in excellent landscaping will reap a handsome reward every time in terms of elevating the value of a prestige property, say some of the country’s top garden experts.
“If landscaping is well designed and well built then, as a general rule, we say it will lift a home’s value by 10 to 20 per cent,” says Jim Fogarty of the multi-award-winning Jim Fogarty Design in Melbourne. “It also helps to sell a home. In a flat market, they’re always the ones selling faster.
“In addition, you should expect to double your return on an investment in landscaping. If you spend $500,000 to $1 million, you can expect to receive $1-2 million back.”
188 Pacey Road, Upper Brookfield, QLD Photo: Supplied
In some instances, a home-owner will end up with even more than 20 per cent, suggests Matt Cantwell, managing director of Sydney’s Secret Gardens. “The bigger the land size, the more that price can climb,” he says. “The property becomes at least one step above everything else and you can see great results.
“People have always invested in architecture but they’re now beginning to understand the importance of investing in landscaping to ensure an appropriate green footprint. Everyone loves being outdoors, with vegetation also providing privacy, and they want it to look just as good as a home’s interiors.”
The landscaping of the 1200 square metre block on which our cover home in Mosman sits, with its exquisite lawns, manicured hedges, terrace and pool looking out to the harbour, designed by Parterre of Woollahra, certainly adds an extra dimension to the property, believes LJ Hooker agent Bernard Ryan.
188 Pacey Road, Upper Brookfield, QLD. Photo: Supplied
“It’s made every square metre of the grounds very useable, with each outdoor area working really well with reference to the part of the house it connects with,” he says. “There’s a tangible value in what’s been created, particularly in such an excellent location on Balmoral Slopes.”
These days, entertaining at home in alfresco areas is becoming increasingly popular, so a well-landscaped outdoor space is perhaps more prized than ever. Much of the interest in another of our featured properties, The Keepers Cottage in Vaucluse, Sydney, has come from potential buyers keen to hold functions and parties in the grounds.
“People are looking at homes with grounds like these from an entertainment point of view,” says Evan Williams of Ray White. “The gardens of this home were reconfigured in 2010 with succulents to withstand the sun and wind, and an all-weather sandstone contemporary outdoor terrace. It’s perfect for croquet, it’s the size of a mini-golf course, and ideal for weddings or parties of up to 200 people.”
3 Little Street, Mosman, NSW Photo: Supplied
First impressions of a property are important, whether that’s the view of the property from the street, or walking up a driveway. Integral in this is the condition of the garden. In Brisbane, Outdoor Secrets’ Nathan Bisshop says if any aspect of the landscaping looks rundown those in the industry know that visitors will generally over-estimate the cost of fixing those elements by a factor of five.
“And if you’re selling that instantly brings down the value of the property as a whole,” he says. “While we say good landscaping can raise a price by about 20 per cent, bad can really drag it down.”
Clean straight lines are today on trend in landscaping for all homes, whether formal or contemporary styles, says Bisshop. Plant selections include those that are more weathered, warm, textured and relaxed, believes Cantwell. “We always used to copy styles from overseas, but we’re now edging ever closer to native gardens.”
3 Little Street, Mosman, NSW Photo: Supplied
What the experts say: “If landscaping is well designed and well-built then, as a general rule, we say it will lift a home’s value by 10 to 20 per cent,” Jim Fogarty, Jim Fogarty Design.
What’s on trend: “We always used to copy styles from overseas, but we’re now edging ever closer to native gardens,” Matt Cantwell, Secret Gardens.
What to look for: “People are looking at homes with [well-landscaped] grounds from an entertainment point of view,” Evan Williams, Ray White
3 Little Street, Mosman, NSW. Photo: Supplied
Feature properties
Sydney
3 Little Street, Mosman
$7.75 million-$8.5 million (Update: Sold by private treaty)
Beds: 5 Bathrooms: 3 Parking: 2 Pool: 1
The vast harbourside gardens of this Espie Dodds-designed home add hugely to its appeal by extending the interior floor plan to the outside, says agent Bernard Ryan. “The pool on the level with the terrace relates to the house really well,” he explains. “Different sections of the land can be used by different members of the family, and there’s so much space and options for a family to grow. That’s very significant for Asian buyers too, with inter-generational family members.” The five-bedroom, three-bathroom Federation home has the ideal north-east aspect and the formal dining and living rooms, with their traditional fireplaces, open out through full-length French doors on to the terrace. On the lower level, the billiard room and games area flow out to a secure level lawn and pool. The ornate cathedral ceilings have been restored, and there are timber floors, a cellar under the house and a security gate.
Expressions of interest closing October 6.
3 Little Street, Mosman, NSW Photo: Supplied
Bernard Ryan LJ Hooker Lower North Shore – 0408 408 509. See more here.
Brisbane
188 Pacey Road South, Upper Brookfield
Auction
Beds: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Parking: 4 Pool: 1
188 Pacey Road, Upper Brookfield, QLD Photo: Supplied.
The landscaping is as much a part of this home as its actual architecture, says agent Elliot Kidd. “Everything about this is a piece of art, with the overall impression that it’s completely at one with nature, rather than a house built on top of its environment,” he says. “You feel it’s as natural as possible with the setting and its landscaping enhancing the property, to create a very beautiful whole.” The four-bedroom, three-bathroom Donovan Hill house on 21 hectares, 17km from the Brisbane CBD, nestles into its surroundings to create the air of a true sanctuary. It has beautiful rosewood joinery, timber flooring and marble benches in living spaces that lead on to the outside.
Auction October 8.
Elliot Kidd Ray White Albion – 0407 696 738. See more here.
188 Pacey Road, Upper Brookfield, QLD. Photo: Supplied
Sydney
Old South Head Road, Vaucluse
$7 million – Auction
Beds: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Parking: 3
583 Old South Head Road, Vaucluse, NSW Photo: Supplied.
Agent Evan Williams once rented this home for two years and a highlight wasn’t a birthday party for some of his children’s friends; it was a party for the whole of grade 3. “It’s marvellous for entertaining,” he says of the four-bedroom, three-bathroom sandstone home set on 2600 sq m of manicured gardens. “And there’s a ride-on mower that comes as part of the property!” Built in 1881 by James Barnett as the home to go with the 1818 Macquarie Lighthouse, and given a contemporary refurbishment by architect Clive Lucas, it also has working stables and a DA approval for a pool – as well as those stunning ocean views from nearly everywhere.
Auction October 22.
Evan Williams Ray White Double Bay – 0415 878 262, in conjunction with James Nixon Sydney Sotheby’s – 0415 889 284. See more here.
583 Old South Head Road, Vaucluse, NSW Photo: Supplied