1 August 2018

Completely renovated Narrabundah home offers perfect Inner South opportunity

| Ian Bushnell
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Rebuilt from the inside out, 12 Pullen Street, Narrabundah is virtually a brand new home. Photos: Supplied.

The owner of this duplex style property in Narrabundah wanted to buy into the Inner South a few years back but couldn’t find what she was looking for at the price she could afford.

Enter Jonathan Charles from Independent Property Group Woden and Weston Creek, who offers a streamlined, sale-renovation package that is becoming increasingly popular in Canberra’s established suburbs.

Mr Charles has teamed up with home renovators Complete Property Projects to not only help purchasers into their homes but manage a renovation to give them the updated or modern home they couldn’t find.

“We try to help because the majority of people are either downsizing or finding it hard to get into the exact property,” Mr Charles said.

He said many people were buying and renovating to change properties for themselves, but without the experience.

“We help people a bit more because we have the experience of how not to overdo it, so if you do decide that you want to sell, you can sell without overcapitalising,” said Mr Charles, who has been retained by his Narrabundah client to sell this property.

Old and worn out but with a terrific location, 12 Pullen Street went under the hammer in 2015 and after a four-month transformation, emerged unrecognisable from its previous incarnation.

Completely rebuilt from the inside out, it was virtually brand new, with quality finishes the owner wanted but could not find in the Inner South.

Redesigned and reconfigured, the home now takes advantage of the northerly aspect, with light bathing its kitchen, dining and living area which opens out through glass sliding doors to hardwood decking on one side and an outdoor entertainment area on the other.

The big entertaining deck gave it that indoor-outdoor feel that most people seem to want at the moment, Mr Charles said.

A floating timber floor graces the open plan living area, while the modern kitchen features black, high-end Miele and Bosch appliances that include a dishwasher, electric oven, multi-function microwave, induction cooktop and rangehood. An interesting feature is the glass splashback that provides a view of outside greenery.

The oversized freestanding stone island bench overlooks the family room and out to the deck, creating the perfect flow for entertaining.

Mr Charles said the house had been reconfigured to have a modern en suite, and a laundry and storage space with internal access through the double enclosed carport.

The main bedroom, with a generous built-in robe and the ensuite, is awash with morning light, while the other bedrooms both offer built-in robes and are serviced by the new main bathroom featuring a standalone bath tub.

The owner put a premium on climate comfort, with double-glazed high-energy windows, insulation in the ceiling, walls and floor, and reverse cycle air conditioning.

Mr Charles said the property was fully landscaped with a front courtyard and rear deck and garden with a grassed area, wrapped in a high, green border to ensure privacy.

He said it was the perfect downsizer as an alternative to town house or apartment living, or ideal for a young family wanting entry into the Inner South.

“A lot of people are forced to move into apartments now because the land is so scarce and expensive, and you’ve got an old home on it. Now this one is a beautiful, new, fresh home and it’s still got some land without it being too high maintenance,” Mr Charles said.

Within walking distance to local shops, Narrabundah College, local parks and markets, it is only a short drive to the entertainment and shopping precincts of Kingston, Manuka and the city.

“It’s not in the area where it’s completely unaffordable, but only two minutes away from the richest street in Canberra. So you’re in a fantastic location without having to pay a huge premium for it,” Mr Charles said.

The renovation side to the business is obviously good for sales but Mr Charles enjoys helping clients to live where they want to and enjoy their reborn properties, as well as contributing to the renewal of older areas of Canberra.

He has eight renovation projects on the go, in Yarralumla, Fisher, Farrer and Pearce.

“You pick up these clients for life,” he said. “I’m helping them through not just their real estate transaction but also if they need their property upgraded, I can help with that, and you maintain quality relationships, and most turn into friends, which is awesome.”

12 Pullen Street, Narrabundah goes to auction on 11 August. For more information, call Jonathan Charles on 0413 909 158 or go here.

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