STOCKTON Victorian heritage mansion The Laurels, which featured in the Newcastle Herald on November 15, sold ahead of its scheduled auction.
Earmarked to go under the hammer on Wednesday, December 3, McGrath Newcastle agent Lucas Gresham said the sale in just 16 days for $1.75 million was a good result for owners Tracey and Grant Jack.
"The last time the home was for sale it was on the market close to 2072 days, from 2004 to 2010, and started at an asking price of $2.4 million and sold in 2010 for $1.45 million," he said.
"It was a good result and shows the depth of utilising all sources of media. We did quite an extensive campaign here and in Sydney."
Mr Gresham believed the sale was a suburb record for a residential home. Australian Property Monitors data indicates that is the case.
The previous highest sale price recorded in Stockton was for 7 Barrie Crescent, which McGrath sold in September 2013 for $1.3 million.
"We had several people vying for the home and about 76 groups inspected the property over 2½ weeks," Mr Gresham said.
He said Stockton was again finding favour with buyers, particularly miners taking the handshake at the end of their careers and coming to the seaside suburb for the lifestyle.
The Oaks has a new owner
IT'S been on the market with a succession of agents over the last couple of years, but the Pender-designed Bolwarra home called The Oaks sold at auction last weekend for $1.55 million.
On a level 2791-square-metre corner block of land, the four-bedroom, two-bathroom house sold through Ray White Newcastle Lake Macquarie agents Scott Gollan and Scott Hunter.
Mr Gollan said the owners had been keen to sell the circa 1910 masterpiece at 21 Kensington Road.
Named after the English oak tree standing sentry at the front gate since the mid-1800s, the home was built for master artisan plasterer Ken Pryor.
His skill is generously evident in the many lovely ceilings throughout, including the magnificent library and domed ceiling of the original master bedroom.
Jewelled stained glass french doors, Australian red cedar windows with bevelled edged glass in the library, two ornate fireplaces, and chandeliers are also stunning features of the beautifully restored home.
A large open-plan extension built in 2000 seamlessly incorporates a gourmet kitchen and family room that lead through french doors to a large covered entertaining terrace overlooking the pool and gardens.
Six-bedroom landmark sold
A LANDMARK Hamilton East house, 58 Denison Street, has a new owner following its sale under auction conditions last weekend.
The long-term home of Sarah Heathcote and her family, the sale of the grand old house attracted plenty of interest during its marketing campaign, Ray White Newcastle agent Darren Penn said - including a visit by the grandson of the first owner, Mr Levey.
Originally a Sydney-sider, Mr Levey owned a Newcastle business, G. E. Levey Wholesalers, and moved into the property after its completion in 1911.
The six-bedroom home sold for $1.085 million to a Newcastle buyer.
Cattle property up for grabs
THE Highlands, believed to be the largest cattle property to be offered in the Dungog district, will go to auction next month.
Owners Ian and Jennifer Douglas have decided to retire from the picturesque country property of 1396 hectares.
Offering a carrying capacity of approximately 400 cows and calves with the potential to increase those numbers, the land is protected and pasture-improved valley and plateau grazing country. There is water security from both Coxs Creek and Lame Horse Creek frontage.
Since they have been on the property the Douglases have run new fencing and installed approximately 50 dams, some spring-fed.
Modern staff/amenities, an all-steel machinery shed and hay shed, well-maintained cattle-handling improvements including a main set of all-steel cattle yards and two additional sets are also included.
Tavis Chivers of Dillon & Sons said properties of this nature were the jewel in the crown for the highly regarded Dungog district.
Located at 583 Wallaringa Road, Dungog, the property will go under the hammer at 10.30am on Thursday, December 11, at The Sydney Morning Herald Auction Centre, Mezzanine Level, 50 Margaret Street, Sydney.
