The ‘most photographed’ home in Queensland that almost ‘broke the internet’ when it was listed in June is back on the market – and the owners want $240,000 more than they paid for it three months ago as house prices soar.
Known as ‘The Palms’, the construction of the four-bedroom mansion attracted an audience on Instagram, as buyers and DIY enthusiasts followed its progress on a 539sqm block in Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast.
The house was said to be the state’s most photographed residential property, after it amassed 27,000 shares on a viral Facebook post and a crowd of more than 500 people packed in to see it sell under the hammer on May 29.
The Palm Springs-inspired property sold for a record-breaking $3.75 million to Jeremy Langston, who lived there with his family for little more than a month before putting it back on the market for offers above $3.99 million.
The ‘most photographed’ home in Queensland (pictured) that almost ‘broke the internet’ when it was listed in June is back on the market – and the owners want $240,000 more than they paid for it three months ago, as house prices continue to soar
The home (pictured) was said to be the state’s most photographed residential property after it amassed more than 27,000 shares on a viral Facebook post
It is unclear why it has been such a short-lived stay for the Langstons, who are said to have cited ‘family commitments’ as the reason for selling, according to realtor Ed Cherry of Harcourts Coastal.
Less than 24 hours after hitting the market on September 24, Mr Cherry said he was ‘inundated’ with so many calls from agents and clients, that he predicted it would be no problem achieving the asking price.
‘We have already had an offer,’ Mr Cherry told realestate.com.au.
He added: ‘I think Burleigh has proven that properties can achieve that kind of house price growth.’
And it’s the same story across the country.
The garden boasts a sunken fireplace, a glass-edged pool (pictured) and an al fresco kitchen
Property prices in Australia’s capital cities have soared 16.8 per cent in the past year, and 19 per cent since the start of 2020, as record-low interest rates drive both first homebuyers and investors into the market.
This, combined with government stimulus programs and pandemic-driven factors such as working from home and the desire for more space, has sent demand for housing to an all-time high.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released earlier this month showed in the June quarter, Canberra led the way with growth of 8.2 per cent, followed by Sydney at 8.1 per cent, and Hobart at 6.3 per cent.
The data revealed Brisbane grew by 6.1 per cent, Adelaide by 5.3 per cent, Perth by 4.8 per cent and Darwin by 4.6 per cent.
The lavish interior (pictured) is finished in Palm Springs-style, a luxury blend of coastal and desert design inspired by the California city of the same name
Poll
ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT AUSTRALIA’S BOOMING PROPERTY MARKET?
- Yes: It’s gone up too fast 756 votes
- No: Australia’s economy is going well 139 votes
- I don’t know 74 votes
In August, house prices hit new peaks in 69 of Australia’s 78 property sub-markets based on a grouping of suburbs and towns.
Detached homes with gardens are in particularly high demand, which means the number of them on the market has plummeted.
A study from house price data provider CoreLogic revealed there were 153,803 houses for sale across Australia in August 2018. As of late August 2021, there are just 88,872 houses on the market, a drop of more than 42 per cent.
But finance experts warn prices in suburban areas could crash by 20 per cent while apartment values may plunge by up to a third when the boom inevitably ends.
Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond said he fears prices have moved ‘too far, too fast’, calling them ‘insane’.
A 20 per cent drop in some suburbs would see Sydney’s median house price plunge by $258,690, from a record high $1.293million, while a similar catastrophe in Melbourne would see prices fall by $190,900, from $954,496.
But if buyer interest in the Burleigh Heads mansion is anything to go by, for now at least, the bubble remains intact.
A custom oak wood staircase (pictured in the background) leads upstairs
The house (pictured) bears many of the signature hallmarks of Palm Springs-style, including whitewashed breeze blocks which are designed to keep rooms cool in dry desert climates
Designed around a central hub perfect for entertaining guests, the mansion features an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area that flows into an outdoor entertaining area complete with a sunken fireplace, a glass-edged pool and an al fresco kitchen.
The previous owners, who wished to remain anonymous and declined to disclose the total cost of the house, told Daily Mail Australia they decided to sell due to personal reasons.
The lavish interior is finished in Palm Springs-style, a luxury blend of coastal and desert design inspired by the California city of the same name.
Natural materials like stone and wood contrast with high-end light fixtures and futuristic curved walls inspired by Los Angeles architecture and Brisbane’s Calile Hotel.
Styled by Kira & Kira, a Burleigh Heads furniture business with more than 53,000 followers on Instagram, it bears many of the signature hallmarks of Palm Springs-style including whitewashed breeze blocks, which are designed to keep rooms cool in dry desert climates.
Three-metre high ceilings soar to six metres above the kitchen, making the space feel considerably larger than its true size.
A custom oak staircase leads upstairs which is occupied by three of the four bedrooms which all boast ensuite bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes.
There’s also a wine cellar, a home cinema theatre and enormous windows that capture sweeping views of the surrounding area from almost every room.
Listing agent Conal Martin of Kingfisher Realty, who sold the property to the Langston family, said there is no denying it is ‘pretty special’.
‘As soon as you walk in you are overtaken by a surreal sense of satisfaction and calm. People never want to leave,’ he said in June.
The landmark home (pictured) sold under the hammer in front of 500 spectators for $3.75million (AUD) on May 29, but just three months later it’s back on the market for $240,000 more
The construction of the mansion attracted a large audience on Instagram, as buyers and DIY enthusiasts followed its progress
Photos of the house have drawn stunned responses on social media, with many saying they would live there in a heartbeat.
‘Houses have certainly changed since I was hanging out in this area! Beautiful,’ one woman wrote.
‘Now that’s an exception to not wanting a flash place! I could live there,’ said another.