Written by Emily Hutchinson, (REPOSTED from realestate.com.au)
Top 10 most viewed listings 2020 – realestate.com.au
The year 2020 has been tough to say the least and many Australians have spent time in lockdown seeking out their dream home as a means of escape. And it appears lush coastal properties in regional settings were the big hits.
New data from realestate.com.au revealing the top 10 most-viewed properties of 2020 showed the sky was the limit in terms of location, size and price tag for house hunters, but luxury is not the only thing that attracted views.
“The most-viewed homes list is a mix of unique and highly desirable properties as well as listings with quirky videos,” said executive manager of economic research at realestate.com.au, Cameron Kusher.
“There are quite a few lifestyle properties on the list. You have listings from Byron Bay, Bangalow, Pokolbin, Glenbrook and then even properties in the inner city but by the ocean, for example in Cottesloe, WA.”
The most popular listings of 2020
One of the most popular lifestyle homes was 6 Burrawan Place in Bangalow, which sold in April for $1.769m. Selling agent Braden Walters of Belle Property – Byron Bay Lennox Head said the appeal of the home was largely attributed to the stunning renovation the previous owners had done, as well as the dream of living in Byron.
“We originally had it as part of a five-week campaign, but we brought it back to three because we had so much interest. The sale actually came down to two buyers who hadn’t even stepped foot in the property, they were bidding from their living rooms in Sydney,” Mr Walters said.
Mr Kusher said search activity has been up on realestate.com.au amid favourable government incentives for homebuyers, including first-home buyer grants, low interest rates, the HomeBuilder scheme and new stamp duty exemptions in some states. He added this has been good news for sellers with most of the properties in the top 10 selling relatively quickly.
“We saw a significant rise in demand through the year and the average number of views per listing, while the supply of stock for sale was low through most of the year. Conditions for sellers definitely got better as the year progressed.”
While beauty is certainly a drawcard for property listings, clever (and funny) marketing is also a factor. This was definitely a successful approach for the rundown home at 1 Linden Street, North Gosford, which attracted more than 350,000 views – more than any other property listing in 2020.
A viral David Attenborough-style walkthrough video was a big hit with visitors to realestate.com.au.
“I didn’t want people to come to the property and be shocked,” said selling agent Richard Faulkner.
“You have to be upfront with people with places like this and hope they can see it for the opportunity it is,” he said.
Mr Kusher said other agents should take note of what Mr Faulkner did to sell the home, which was covered by the news team at realestate.com.au.
“We often find that some of the most-viewed properties are properties that have had stories written about them. It’s a good reason why agents should do something a little bit different when advertising a property in order to try and attract more eyeballs,” said Mr Kusher.
Here are the top 10 most viewed listings of 2020.
1. 1 Linden Street, North Gosford
It’s not what you would usually expect to be the number one most-viewed property on realestate.com.au, but the listing for this ‘renovator’s delight’ went viral after its selling agent came up with a clever David Attenborough-style walk through video.
It had more than 350,000 views and sold in August 2020 for $535,000.
Is this Gosford’s best bargain?
2. 6 Burrawan Place, Bangalow, NSW
Many Australians were no doubt dreaming about an escape to Byron during lockdown and this stunning property in Bangalow received significant attention with over 200,000 views.
And it’s not hard to see why. The lush green surrounds, high, peaked ceilings and a well-appointed pool all make for an idyllic dream home away from it all.
It sold for $1.769m in April to one very lucky buyer.
This stunning four-bedroom home in Bangalow had everyone dreaming of a Byron escape during lockdown. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
3. 25 Paperback Drive, Pokolbin, NSW
If it wasn’t Australia’s coastlines property seekers were dreaming of this year, it was greener pastures.
This sprawling property in the Hunter Valley attracted more than 190,000 views and is still for sale through an expressions of interest campaign.
The home has five bedrooms and four bathrooms along with a pool and a chef’s standard kitchen.
This sprawling country home in the Hunter Valley was the third most popular listing of 2020. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
4. 32 Avenel Gardens Road, Medindie, SA
Having undergone a renovation to bring it back to life, 32 Avenel Gardens Road is a well-known property in the area, so when it came to market, it attracted a lot of attention.
Ideal for entertaining, it features a stunning pool, not one, but two wine cellars and a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen.
It sold in November for an undisclosed amount.
This beautiful historic home attracted a lot of attention this year. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
5. 14 Williams Road, Heathfield, SA
Another South Australian property made it into the top five.
The award winning 14 Williams Road, Heathfield proudly claimed the prestigious Architectural Award from the South Australia Institute of Architects in 2018 for the New Home Category.
It is still on the market and goes to auction on 12 December at 1pm.
14 Williams Rd, Heathfield is on the market with South Australia Sotherby’s International Realty Adelaide. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy.
6. 215 Clarke Street, Northcote, VIC
Dubbed ‘Lugano‘ this home is a recognisable landmark in the northern suburbs of Melbourne,
Little wonder then that it attracted a lot of attention when it came to market earlier in the year with over 150,000 views of the property on realestate.com.au.
It sold in May for $3.6m.
This historic mansion in Northcote sold for $3.6m back in May. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
7. 79 Elanora Way, Karalee, QLD
Many buyers undoubtedly did a double take when this ‘alien’ structure near Brisbane hit the market.
The home’s design was even helped along by NASA, after the architect contacted the space agency to find out how the Mars Rover was made in order to inform his own design.
Consisting of 11 intersecting domes and positioned on 0.51 ha, it’s truly out of this world.
The listing has had more than 140,000 views in 2020 and is still listed for sale.
This home was inspired by NASA designs. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
8. 12 Watson Street, Camp Hill, QLD
This stunning family home demonstrates the broad appeal of The Hamptons style in Australia.
The five-bedroom, three-bathroom home sold for $1.786m in June and received more than 140,000 views.
The open-plan living spaces, crisp white interiors and dream location all made for a winning combination in the eyes of home buyers.
12 Watson Street had more than 140,000 views on realestate.com.au. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
9. 36 Jacksons Road, Mount Eliza, VIC
The close proximity to the beach coupled with luxurious finishes made this Mt Eliza mansion attractive to buyers.
Designed with all the ‘essentials’, including a grass tennis court, a solar-heated pool and theatre room, it is currently under offer and listed at $4.5m-$4.8m.
It received more than 140,000 views and it’s not hard to see why – it was the perfect place to isolate during strict stay-at-home orders in Melbourne.
36 Jacksons Road, Mount Eliza had everything a buyer would want during lockdown. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
10. 3 Kiln Lane, Cottesloe, WA
Buyers couldn’t get enough of this modern home in the heart of Cottesloe.
The impressive home caught the eye of more than 135,000 house hunters on realestate.com.au who were most likely drawn to pictures of the pristine pool, at-home gym and suspended second living area.
WA buyers were drawn to this modern family home in Cottesloe, WA. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
