Up 31pc: The feature that is soaring up buyers wish-lists

Megan and Brett Williamson, son Cormac, and their dog Lila, at their home which they are selling in Kenmore Hills, Brisbane. pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

After more than two decades in their sprawling Kenmore Hills home the Williamsons are getting ready to downsize.

With around 567 sqm of living space on a vast 3794 sqm block, there is certainly plenty of room for the extended family.

61 Elwood Street, Kenmore Hills

Real estate agent Rachael Spinks from Spinks & Co says she expects plenty of interest from buyers looking for a home that can accommodate multiple generations.

The home already has a separate children’s wing and Ms Spinks says there is plenty of room to also install a granny flat.

“It is such a big block and the layout of the house lends itself to that (multigeneration living),” she said.

“I am seeing buyers, particularly those looking at acreage, wanting enough space with those things in mind and I think that comes down to the cost of living but also our ageing population.

“They are thinking ahead in case they (grandparents or older children) have to move in with them.”

61 Elwood Street, Kenmore Hills

Sellers Megan and Brett Williamson said while their son Cormac, 19, still lived at home, their older daughters, Bre, 28, and Phoebe, 26, had both relocated to Melbourne, meaning there was a lot of unused space in the house.

“There are rooms we just don’t go into anymore,” Mrs Williamson said, adding that it was time to “let someone else enjoy the lifestyle”.

“It was such a tough decision to sell … we thought we would see our days out here.”

Megan and Brett Williamson at their home which they are selling in Kenmore Hills. Pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Aside from its dual living potential, ]the property also ticks a number of other boxes that were on PropTrack’s most searched for real estate terms last year, including its lagoon-style pool, airconditioning, massive three-car garage plus carport, master bedroom with ensuite, huge outdoor entertaining area, shed and floodlit championship tennis court.

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61 Elwood Street, Kenmore Hills

Entry is via a secure electric gate and down a long private driveway.

Inside is a stunning atrium featuring a tall palm and a sunken living room with a gas fireplace and expansive windows with views of the treetops and mountains.

To the left of the foyer is a recreation room and a billiards room with soaring vaulted ceilings and exposed beams.

61 Elwood Street, Kenmore Hills

Adjacent to the recreation room is the children’s wing with two generous bedrooms, each with built-in robes, and a bathroom.

The opposite wing is home to the master suite which features a walk-in robe, ensuite, and doors to a private terrace with an outdoor shower.

Also in this wing is another bedroom, an office, family bathroom and the laundry.

At the centre of the residence is a spacious dining room that opens to the modern kitchen and the outdoor terrace with an outdoor kitchen.

61 Elwood Street, Kenmore Hills

The entertaining terrace has both heaters and industrial fans installed and overlooks the resort-style saltwater pool surrounded by tropical landscaping and the tennis court.

Expressions of interest are now open.

The ongoing housing and cost of living crisis is driving a surge in searches linked to multigenerational living and incomestreams across Australia, with the search terms ‘dual key’ tying with ‘water view’ in Queensland, recording growth of 31 percent in the past 12 months.

Searches for ‘dual living’, ‘granny flat’ and ‘dual occupancy’ also increased by 23 per cent, 18 per cent and 14 per centrespectively.

PropTrack senior economist Eleanor Creagh said people were looking for financial flexibility on the home front.

“It’s no surprise that we have seen this increase at a time when mortgage rates remain at current high levels and the cost-of-livingcrisis has had an effect on many households,” Ms Creagh said.

The economist added that with the rental market also increasingly challenging, it was probable this reflected a growing sense of opportunism among homebuyers seeking a tenant to help them pay their mortgage.

The Demographics Group co-founder Simon Kuestenmacher said searches for granny flats indicated a population that was increasingly stressed about affordability, but warned they were a “bandaid” solution.

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THE TOP 10 WISH LIST 2024

1. Swimming pool

2. Airconditioning

3. Garage

4. Ensuite

5. Outdoor area

6. Single storey

7. Shed

8. Balcony

9. Dual living

10. Duplex