BLOCKBUSTER CRED MAKES THIS HOME A STAR

Every house claims to be picture-perfect when it hits the market, but this grand five-bedroom home in Melbourne’s Surrey Hills has Hollywood’s stamp of approval.

The contemporary two-storey house was hand-picked by movie location scouts to feature in the $80 million Zac Efron-driven film, Nicky Stanicky.

Out last year, the movie also stars former pro-wrestler turned Hollywood heavyweight John Cena and Academy Award nominee William H Macy. Set in Providence, Rhode Island, with scenes in Atlantic City and New Jersey, the production was actually filmed in various Melbourne suburbs.

The modern suburban residence has all the hallmarks of a US family home, with its Hamptons-style facade and vast proportions measuring 650sq m of internal space.

Just listed with Kay & Burton Boroondara team, Scott Patterson, Walter Dodich and Jacqui Bendall, the Norfolk Rd property is set to go under the hammer on August 23 with a price guide of $5.5 million to $5.9 million.

After appearing on the big screen, the home has piqued the interest of several filmmakers (including Neighbours producers before the show was axed) and is still on the books to feature in other filming projects, if the new owners are keen to play the role.

In Australia, private residences can earn between $1000 and $5000 a day when used in the media – from magazine shoots to blockbuster movies.

The 2016 house sits on a 996sq m block and is home to a versatile floor plan with multiple entertaining spaces over both levels.

On the spacious ground floor, there is a central family room with an Escea fireplace anchoring the footprint, with an adjoining state-of-the-art Gaggenau and Miele kitchen that has a butler’s pantry, an expansive stone island bench, pyrolytic and steam ovens, an integrated coffee machine, a dishwasher, and a Vintec wine fridge.

A large dining room with bespoke wine storage opens via stacker doors to an undercover alfresco area with ceiling fans, a built-in Zeigler & Brown barbecue, sink, and a fridge for all weather gatherings around the pool and half basketball court.

This lower level also houses a dramatic entryway crowned with a 4m void, a formal lounge room with another fireplace, a separate study overlooking the pool area, powder room, and a primary bedroom featuring a walk-in wardrobe, a bath ensuite, and an illuminating skylight.

Upstairs, there are four more spacious bedrooms, including one with a two-way wardrobe and bathroom. Additionally, the level has a full family bathroom, a powder room, a walk-in linen press featuring a handy chute to the laundry below, and a huge media room or kids’ breakout space.

Other attributes of the Melbourne property include a poolside cabana with toilet and outdoor shower, French oak parquet floors, zoned central air-conditioning, ducted vacuuming, a security alarm, in-built speakers, automatic blinds, front electric gates, and an internal remote-control double garage.

Close to Union Station, the property is near sought-after schools, Surrey Hills cafes and shops, as well as Wattle Park, Deakin University, and Box Hill Central.

Kay & Burton agent Scott Patterson is auctioning 14 Norfolk Road, Surrey Hills on August 23 at 2pm with the indicative price guide of $5.5 million to $5.9 million.

Australia’s rental market has reached a new milestone, with national median advertised rents climbing to a record $670 per week in the June quarter as prices continued to rise across every capital city.

New data from realestate.com.au shows national rents increased 3.1 per cent over the quarter and 6.4 per cent over the past year, while capital city rents rose 2.2 per cent over the quarter to a median of $690 per week, up $10 from the March quarter.

REA Group economist Luc Redman said rental price growth had continued despite a small increase in vacancy rates.

“National median rents reached a new high in the June quarter, with widespread price growth across the capitals,” he said.

“The rent increases occurred despite a small increase in the rental vacancy rate over the same period.”

Melbourne and Perth recorded the strongest quarterly growth among the capitals, with rents increasing 3.5 per cent in each city. On an annual basis, Perth led the nation with rental growth of 10.3 per cent, followed by Hobart at 9.1 per cent and Darwin at 7.7 per cent.

Sydney remained Australia’s most expensive city for renters, with a median advertised rent of $800 per week, while Melbourne and Hobart were the most affordable capital cities at $600 per week.

Regional markets were more subdued, with rents holding steady over the quarter but remaining 5.3 per cent higher than a year ago, suggesting the rapid pace of growth outside the capitals has eased.

Mr Redman said the full impact of the Federal Budget’s changes to investor tax settings was yet to be seen.

“The May Federal Budget, which announced sweeping changes to investor tax settings, occurred in the middle of the quarter, so the full impact on the rental market is yet to be seen,” he said.

“While the vacancy rate has edged higher, the expected decrease in investor demand due to the budget’s tax changes could slow the pace of new supply, putting further pressure on rents.”

The report also found house rents continued to outpace units, rising 2.9 per cent across capital cities over the quarter compared with 1.5 per cent for units. Melbourne was the only capital where renting a unit was more expensive than renting a house, reflecting demand for well-located apartments.

BLOCKBUSTER CRED MAKES THIS HOME A STAR

This Surrey Hills stunner has starred alongside Zac Efron and John Cena. Now the five-bedroom showpiece is ready for its next leading role.

Australia’s median advertised rent has climbed to a record high, with every capital city recording quarterly price growth despite a slight lift in vacancy rates.