Interview: Deborah Cullen, Director, Cullen Royle
“We don’t have enough stock to satisfy clients waiting to purchase their escape out of the city.”
“We don’t have enough stock to satisfy clients waiting to purchase their escape out of the city.”
Deborah Cullen has worked her way through the real estate industry, from boutique agencies and corporate heavy-hitters, to selling Sydney’s finest homes.
However, through 2020’s pandemic, Cullen saw an opportunity to specialise her skillset, partnering with Richard Royle to open a boutique (and luxurious) agency with a renewed focus on rural estates and coastal escapes away from the capital cities.
We caught up to discuss the capital city exodus of COVID and how the second-home market continues to play out.
Kanebridge News: I guess we’ll start at the beginning of your property career – you were a Personal Trainer before, why property?
Deborah Cullen: Fitness and real estate are passions for me. Firstly, real estate – for me it was a love of renovating and styling that made me fall in love with properties. I used to go to inspections, view beautiful homes and get ideas for what current trends were for my own family and future homes.
Working as a fitness coach is all about communication and care, all easily transferrable skills into selling property I think.
KN: In 2020 you launched a new boutique agency – Cullen Royle – what was the catalyst there? What makes it different?
DC: After starting and heading up a prestige team within a large corporate business I saw the opportunity in a COVID affected market to provide a very personalised boutique service and one that focused on family and lifestyle properties rather than one that concentrated on volume and transactions. I
Working together with my business partner Richard Royle, who also came from large corporate background in rural and agribusiness, our work is based on personal referrals and repeat business. We have seen an incredible amount of business come our way since starting Cullen Royle and we feel very honoured and blessed to look after our clients most important and valuable property assets.
KN: How is it different selling a rural estate to a waterfront Sydney mansion?
DC: They both can be emotional purchases. Country lifestyle estates are usually driven by family desires to getaway and be together. Waterfront homes are wonderful estates to represent as we see a huge response from our expat database – but they also usually include the added check list of requirements such as best schools, transport, shopping, entertainment etc. So, it needs to work on many more levels to be a perfect fit.
KN: What about your personal preference, rural or coastal?
DC: That is a tough one but luckily I get to spend time at both for my clients. It is very common for our clients to have a city base, country estate and beach house. I really enjoy the coast myself, but I have to say, wintertime in the country with the fireplaces lit and the glass of red is very hard to beat.
KN: How noticeable was the shift away from the cities to regional pockets of Australia?
DC: It was and still is an amazing shift that gained momentum very quickly. Country and coastal homes were always popular but then when the COVID experience hit us, the desire to be away in nature and fresh air everyday escalated to a new level. It is still there, we don’t have enough stock to satisfy clients waiting to purchase their escape out of the city.”
KN: Are prestige buyers still looking to move out of the cities permanently, or is the market returning to those looking for a 2nd home? What’s the split like?
DC: It is very definitely still a split lifestyle between a city base and lifestyle retreat. What we have seen is the city base become the smaller home and the coastal or country home be a larger investment. Those who are moving permanently are doing so to be with family or making it a definite business relocation. Most of our clients want the flexibility to still stay in the city when needed so have a foot in both camps.
KN: What regional areas do you think are growing with popularity now, and which do you see as having potential over the next few years?
DC: We have seen areas come back to life again that are still an easy drive to big cities. In particular the Hunter Region is now a strong lifestyle draw and has the inclusion of tourism and entertainment on its doorstep. The other area is the South Coast of Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Mudgee regions which continues to draw those from the city out. There is a tremendous amount of luxury stays and farm getaways in these areas that are making people consider these regions as options.
KN: What of the prestige property market as a whole – is it to continue to be as safe and as in demand as ever?
DC: The resilience of the Sydney prestige market in particular has shown continually to be a sound investment. It really comes down to the amount of quality properties being available in blue ribbon areas. Sydneysiders are driven by the desire to be near the harbour and beaches plus have a stunning country retreat. These quality estates will always attract a discerning audience to assess. We see this continuing for the foreseeable future for sure.
KN: What do you make of the trend of downsizers or rightsizers? Do you think that will continue to grow and perhaps lessen the appeal of a sprawling country estate or coastal home in the future?
DC: Rightsizing is all about finding the right home for a particular time in your life. At the moment, we are seeing an abundance of clients purchasing estates to have the opportunity to share and gather for celebrations and to create precious memories. I don’t think that will change for a while with COVID still being an influence in our lives.
In 2021, luxury estate purchases are now about the experience shared together as a family and the options of where they can do this? Well, that, can be anywhere now. So let us at Cullen Royle do the hunting and find it for you.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.
Home to Sir Robert Menzies and Dame Pattie, this grand Melbourne estate is a piece of Australian political history.
It may be a well-worn cliche, but if these walls could talk there would be plenty of state secrets to share. The landmark residence at 8-10 Howard St, Kew was once the private residence of Sir Robert Menzies and Dame Pattie between 1929 and 1949, during the Prime Minster’s first term in the top job. He later held the role again from 1949 to 1966, making him Australia’s longest serving Prime Minister.
Historical land records indicate that the Howard St property was sold to Leonard Clinton Shaw, brother-in-law of Pattie Menzies. Robert and Patti then moved to live into The Lodge in Canberra.
The stately arts and crafts era home was built in the 1910s and has reportedly played host to a long list of dignitaries and VIP guests. As rumour has it, the drawing room of the Kew property is where Menzies crafted his iconic speeches and held many clandestine meetings.
Today the imposing five-bedroom residence, which sits on a vast 1874sq m land parcel in the coveted Studley Park precinct, has come to market through Marshall White agents James Tostevin and Chris Barrett with a price guide of $8.3 million to $8.9 million.
According to CoreLogic, the property last sold in 2018 for $7.75 million.
Beyond the expansive parklike grounds that to pay homage to celebrated Australian landscaper Edna Walling, the two-storey house is packed with meticulously maintained period features.
Showcasing the best of arts and crafts design influences, the home has a charming tuck-point brick façade, a tessellated tile veranda, coloured leadlight glass windows, dark stained wood panelling inside, as well as high decorative ceilings and cornices.
The large foyer divides the lower level into two distinct zones; big formal rooms and more casual family-friendly spaces. Built for entertaining on a grand scale, both the lounge and dining rooms rooms have original fireplaces and open out to either the undercover veranda or enclosed sunroom.
Also on the ground level, a spacious family room with yet another fireplace connects to an everyday meals area, and the contemporary kitchen comes complete with granite surfaces, a Paul Bocuse stove, an integrated Miele dishwasher, a walk-in pantry and wine cellar. A home office, or potential guest bedroom, plus a large laundry and two powder rooms round out the lower level floor plan.
Up via a majestic timber staircase, four big bedrooms have fireplaces and built-in wardrobes, while the primary suite is home to a palatial ensuite and dressing room. This accommodation level also houses two family bathrooms and a rear balcony that overlooks the grounds.
Outdoors there are multiple lifestyle features including a north/south tennis court with lighting, a unique rounds swimming pool and all-weather terraces.
Other features include an alarm, hydronic heating, a 60,000L underground tank, a garden shed, a remote double garage and additional off-street parking.
Located on the old Oakland Estate, the Menzies’ former home is close to popular eateries, Xavier College, St Vincents Private Hospital and golf courses.
Expressions of interest close on March 11, at 5pm for 8-10 Howard St, Kew. The home is listed with a price guide of $8.3 million to $8.9 million through agents James Tostevin and Chris Barrett of Marshall White.
This stylish family home combines a classic palette and finishes with a flexible floorplan
Just 55 minutes from Sydney, make this your creative getaway located in the majestic Hawkesbury region.