Knights Making Market Plays

Newcastle Herald

Saturday November 6, 2004

SALLY CROXTON

FORMER Newcastle Knights fullback Robbie O'Davis arrived back with his bride Leanne from last month's Brampton Island honeymoon to some good news.

After a lengthy campaign typical of today's market, there was a $495,000 offer on their three-bedroom bagged brick house at 19 Myamblah Crescent, Merewether Heights. They decided to take it.

The couple are now planning to build on a block of land O'Davis has owned for some time on the ocean side of Burwood Road, Whitebridge, a popular Knights enclave.

The Myamblah Crescent house was marketed by George Rafty who will be starting O'Davis in training on Monday as another affable member of the Dowling Hamilton real estate team.

It's an insight into the market that three old Knights teammates are still looking for buyers for their very different properties.

Skipper Andrew Johns's large year-old house in a lovely elevated location at 18 Laurina Avenue, Somerset Park, used as an occasional getaway and guest accommodation, came on last month at $469,950 and is open for inspection again today from 12.30 to 1.15pm. Agent Garry Callaghan of Dalton Partners is also marketing former Knight Ben Kennedy's Merewether family home at 22 Curry Street.

The double-storey house with big coastal views which came on at $995,000 is now down to $969,950, a price Mr Callaghan says makes it "the cheapest Merewether [beach] house around with a view".

And while Dowling Raymond Terrace's Craig Higgins has had good offers for the Eagleton acreage owned by former Newcastle Knights prop Matt Parsons, the would-be buyers have to sell their own houses first and so far that hasn't happened.

It's not all beer and skittles being a realtor today but it is the chosen career of another Knight, utility player Jamie Fitzgerald, who hopes the change will help him become a regular first-grade player next year. Fitzgerald had been working at Newcastle's CBD Hotel, which is part-owned by his in-laws, but has started a new "day job" as a real estate agent at LJ Hooker Charlestown.

Restaurateurs sell up

THE Queensland-bound former owners of Hamilton's Arena restaurant are cutting their real estate ties with Newcastle.

Tony and Dirce Mendonca have just sold (through George Rafty) for $525,000 their investment property at 181 Merewether Street and have listed their beautifully located house, edging Merewether golf course at 104 Henry Street, with Mr Rafty and Sonia Walkom with an asking price of $850,000. They are planning to join their son Marcio in the sun.

Patience required

STRONG sales are still being made but it generally takes longer than last year and the price has to be realistic.

Two of Cooks Hill's best Federation/Californian bungalow-style houses, each featured as House of the Week several months apart, have now sold.

A real beauty opposite Centennial Park at 136 Bruce Street that came on the market in May at about $900,000 and gradually dropped in price to $845,000 before a change of agent, has now sold for more than $800,000 to a Qantas pilot and his wife moving from Merewether.

The four-bedroom house on 569 square metres of land bought by the Hiley family in December 2000 for $515,000 sold through Sonia Walkom.

Then her listing of 64 Dawson Street, a brick and tile house on a 643-square-metre block extensively renovated by its owners, veterinary surgeon Christopher Whitton and his wife Samantha (who bought it in 1999 for $330,000), has sold to local business people for a little under $800,000 after being passed in at the October 9 auction without a bid.

And at 3 Burwood Road, Merewether, a nicely renovated three-bedroom beach house on 379 square metres sold under the hammer on Saturday for $755,000.

Selling agent Michael Flook of Robinson Property said the price was well above reserve, with six registered bidders.

Buyers more selective

TONY Reville of Dalton Partners says there are plenty of buyers out there: they're just more choosy.

Garden Suburb is a rising star, with its big near-new houses in strong demand with families.

He has sold in quick succession and first day on the market 34 Cupania Crescent for $695,000, 35 Cupania Crescent for $660,000 and 40 Cupania for $620,000. Paul and Debbie Beddows, the buyers of 35 Cupania, were typical, he said. Having outgrown their cute renovated house at 79 Morgan Street, Merewether, on 404 square metres of land, they sold it for $585,000 to buyers downsizing from Silver Ridge and exchanged it for the big house on 828 square metres of land.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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