Focus
The Age
Wednesday March 27, 2002
FOCUS FAVE
KENSINGTON
69 MERCANTILE PARADE, KENSINGTON
Price: $310,000 plus
Type of house: Twostorey, brick/rendered, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, formal lounge/dining, kitchen/family/meals, powder room, ducted heating, alarm system/intercom, rear garden, offstreet parking, garage
Agent: Rendina Real Estate 9372 2772
Auction: Saturday, April 6, 2pm
Melway reference: 2T F5
medium density. Lots of pretty colours and properties sandwiched together overlooking a central parkland.
Proximity to the city is hard to beat and as a gateway to other suburbs - Flemington, North Melbourne, Footscray - it's just as handy. But why leave, anyway? Today's Kensington caters for family and urban professionals, with lots of cafes and designer shops, skate bowls and local schools and convenient public transport.
This property is deceptively spacious with something rare for the Kensington Banks estate - it has a large and grassed rear garden. There is also a neat strip of paving just right for a barbecue and outdoor dining setting. A garage at the rear has space for one car and there is room for another in the yard itself.
The colour scheme is that bluegreen that is typical of modern homes. Bedrooms are a decent size and the large main has a very spacious walkin wardrobe and its own ensuite. The larger family bathroom, also on the upstairs level, has both shower and bath.
Downstairs, the meals/family room at the rear of the house is very bright and sunny. The adjoining kitchen has stainlesssteel appliances and generous benchtops and storage space.
Larger than average land size for Kensington Banks -- Kirsty McPhail, Rendina Real Estate
FOOTSCRAY, 44 VICTORIA STREET
Price: $280,000-plus
Type of house: Brick, two bedrooms, formal lounge, kitchen/family, ducted heating, off-street parking
Agent: Sweeney Estate Agents 9687 8388
Auction: Saturday, April 6, 1.45pm
Melway reference: 42 B6
Why buy a ``renovator's delight" when you can purchase as-new and eliminate the headaches? This property is only 10 months old and offers low-maintenance living. Both bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and the main has an ensuite. It is compact living but the price range makes it suitable for first-home buyers or as an alternative for apartment investors. There is a rear-courtyard garden (complete with grass), overlooked by the family room. Parking is via rear access. Black granite benchtops feature in the kitchen and the central bathroom has a spa. There is carpet throughout the bedrooms, and the lounge and family areas are tiled.
A fresh designer residence in the heart of central Footscray. -- Shey Brasher, Sweeney Estate Agents
PASCOE VALE SOUTH, 34 MELVILLE ROAD
Price: $330,000-plus
Type of house: Double-fronted, weatherboard, two bedrooms, formal lounge, formal dining, kitchen/family/meals, polished floorboards, ducted heating, air-conditioning, security camera and alarm, gazebo, off-street parking
Agent: Wilson Pride 9370 1111
Auction: Saturday, April 13, 2.30pm
Melway reference: 29 D3
This is the classic offering of old and new. Renovation work was done recently, which created the usual rear open-plan kitchen (with black granite benchtops and stainless-steel appliances)/family/meals area overlooking a rear garden. The floor here is tiled for low-maintenance family living. As well as a gazebo for outdoor entertaining, there is an area of lawn and a weatherboard bungalow/studio. At the front of the house, there is a central hallway with formal lounge and dining (both with an open fireplace) to one side and two bedrooms to the other.
A gorgeous Californian bungalow with beautiful period features on a good-sized block.
-- Carmel Di Sisto, Wilson Pride
MOONEE PONDS, 17 LETHBRIDGE STREET
Price: $250,000-plus
Type of house: Single-fronted weatherboard, two bedrooms, formal lounge, kitchen/meals, air-conditioning, rear garden
Agent: Nelson Alexander 9379 1313
Auction: Saturday, April 13, noon
Melway reference: 28 J5
In the one family for 60 years, this house has undergone some updating over the years but remains mainly in original condition. It has been well cared for and period features, such as the bedrooms' open fireplaces, have been retained throughout. Moonee Ponds' star seems to be on the rise lately, and the opportunity to turn this Victorian house into a beautifully renovated showpiece would bring a good return for investors. Currently, the price range makes it attainable for first-home buyers.
Land size is generous with the desired north-facing rear yard that would allow for some extension should more living space be needed.
A much-loved family home that has been immaculately cared for. -- Milo Rasinac, Nelson Alexander
THORNBURY, 65 MANSFIELD STREET
Price: $300,000-plus
Type of house: Double-fronted, solid-brick, three bedrooms, formal lounge, formal dining, kitchen/meals, rear garden, off-street parking, carport
Agent: Raine & Horne 9489 8777
Auction: Saturday, April 6, noon
Melway reference: 30 H4
Offered for the first time in 40 years, the house is in largely original condition and requires a bit of hard work to transform it into a pretty family home. The template is there, though. A classic floor plan - central corridor and large rooms to either side, opening to a rear kitchen - will make for a good renovation. Floorboards lurk under the old carpet and there is some interesting decorative ceiling features and fretwork in the hallway. The rear garden is large and north-facing, offering scope to create the modern extension and still have room to spare for outdoor entertaining.
A solid double-fronted brick home with a good layout and a lot of potential. -- Andre Liepa, Raine & Horne
© 2002 The Age
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