High-density living is spreading well beyond Sydney, with properties for sale in the Southern Highlands increasingly on blocks of 500 square metres or less, according to a Mittagong builder.
Thirty-year Southern Highlands building veteran, Steve Turland of ‘S Turland Building’ said it was now difficult to find acreage in his hometown of Mittagong.
“Blocks are getting smaller and smaller. It’s about the money. People like them because they are cheaper. The developers like them because they can get more in and the councils like them because they get more rates,” Turland said.
However, the downside is that it makes it difficult for those seeking a spacious country property close to town.
“There are still a few larger blocks here in Mittagong, but they are getting harder and harder to find. And it’s speeding up; lots are only getting smaller. Most subdivisions nowadays are 500 metres or less, and only have 15-metre frontages.”
This change has been occurring over the last 10-years, however, has accelerated during the past few years, according to Turland, who is an advocate of larger blocks.
“It’s a big country, I don’t know why we can’t all live on an acre,” he said.
He is offering the opportunity to do just that with the sale of his Mittagong house on 3827 square metres, with a price guide of $890,000 to $960,000.
Having built the property and lived in it for almost three years, Turland has now bought a vacant block and plans to repeat the process.
“It’s my retirement plan. Hopefully one day I do actually retire. I don’t know when that’s going to happen, but anyway,” he said.
No expense was spared on the construction of his four-bedroom, two bathroom house at 1 Applegate Close, Mittagong.
Soaring ceilings, insulation and caesarstone feature throughout while a chef’s kitchen and media room are complemented by an alfresco area with a 60 square metre merbau deck and an open fireplace.
“The deck and open plan makes entertaining very nice. Very easy,” he said, adding that a double lockup garage with internal access and a huge colour bond shed complete the picture.
Ray White Mittagong selling agent Rick Mooney echoed Turland’s sentiments, describing strong growth in the area.
“There’s a nearby development of 600 houses and another of 400. There is huge demand from buyers coming out of Sydney,” Mooney said, adding that large blocks like this are especially popular.
“The attraction is highland living only 75 minutes from Sydney. It’s the laid back lifestyle. It’s the fresh country air,” he said, adding that the Mittagong train station, shopping centre and quality schools are only minutes away,” he added.
