Property Observer’s Mother's Day property picks
Mother’s Day is upon us once more. Unfortunately, most mums will be saddled with supermarket chocolates yet again - and let’s be honest, we’re going to eat most of those anyway.
But what if you could get your mum a present she actually deserves: her dream home?
Property Observer surveyed the office to see what our fellow sons and daughters would buy their mums, if money was no object.
ROOM FOR THE ANIMALS: 1-21 SANDY POINT ROAD, SOMERS
Our editor Jennifer Duke nominated this country homestead in Victoria's Somers.
“When I moved to Victoria for Property Observer, one of my major upsets was having to leave my family and loved ones back in New South Wales,” said Jennifer.
“I'd bring them to this beautiful homestead in Victoria, just one hour from Melbourne. It's far enough to be quiet and peaceful, and close enough to visit.
“Mum would probably want to modernise some aspects to her taste, and add air conditioning, but there are tiles throughout - a luxury that British people love having in Australia - huge windows that she could look out of to paint her watercolours, and a beautiful walk in wardrobe to house all of her clothes.”
The home is set on a sprawling estate, perfect for the family dogs.
“It's also on plenty of land - an absolute must for my mum and her beloved black labradors who enjoy long rambling walks together. I would never choose anywhere with a small yard, and this property sits on an incredible 220 acres. It also has beach frontage, and a dam, which would keep the pups (Colah and Deezel) very happy and reduce the many hours spent getting to the Bayview dog beach in Sydney.
"This home, called Western Park, has six bedrooms - enough for all three of us kids and other assorted relatives come Christmas time. I can imagine us all have a morning bucks fizz on the wrap around verandah, or a nice merlot and a very loud conversation that no neighbours could complain about.”
Assuming her parents can forgive the elephant and kangaroo statues around the property (as seen below), Western Park would make the perfect property for Jennifer’s mum.
“Most importantly, there are gardens, fruit trees and a vegie patch. My mum is a prolific vegetable grower - even when visiting from interstate she usually hands me a bag of cucumbers and a jar of chutney to take back to Melbourne with me - and I can't see her ever giving this up.
“I know mum has expressed desires to have a dog rescue where she could home strays. This suits perfectly, with functional sheds across the property and yards that ‘incorporate holding paddocks and sorting pens, as well as sophisticated weighing and veterinary facilities’.
“And, finally, who wouldn't want to drive up a kilometre long Cyprus tree-lined drive, with views, to visit their mum.”
WIDE OPEN SPACES: SANDLEWOOD ESTATE, LONGREACH
Jason was another who picked a big country home for his mum. This six bedroom semi-rural house is set on five acres.
With two separate living areas, a formal dining room and a small sitting room, there’s plenty of space to entertain indoors.
A big Queenslander on acreage — mum needs the wide open spaces — in the town of Longreach, where she grew up and can be close to her dear-old mum. – Jason
There’s also a sizeable enclosed verandah, with screened windows and polished timber flooring. At the centre of the home sits a large kitchen with an island bench.
Outdoors, there’s also a barn style work shed, lawns and an aviary for the chooks.
OLD WORLD APPEAL: 15 RAGLAN STREET, DAYLESFORD
Haylee chose some standout regional homes for her mum. This Daylesford estate she picked out has an eight bedroom mansion in addition to a four bedroom homestead.
The 1853 homestead includes all the furnishings required of a stately period home, with claw footed baths and an open fire place. There’s also a conservatory, a central living area, a commercial kitchen and separate formal dining room.
The eight bedroom manor has been used as accommodation in the past by tourists visiting Victoria’s spa country. Each of the eight bedrooms comes with an en suite, with the listing agents saying that at full capacity the manor house has room for 16 people. The manor house also has a central living room with a double sided fireplace.
However, not all mums are after a country estate. Click the next page to see the beach side properties we think our mums would love.
BEACH VIEWS AND WARM WEATHER: 144 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD, BYRON BAY
Property Observer’s production editor Jake Robinson selected a four bedroom home in Byron Bay with a $5.5 million plus price tag.
“My parents have been going to Byron Bay on a regular basis for over 30 years now,” said Jake.
“No doubt the warmer climate, cafes and beach would make an appealing change for them, and for my own selfish reasons, a great place to visit.”
The house has glass doors offering a terrific view of Byron Bay, while Jake’s mum would enjoy a sea view from the bath in the master bedroom’s en suite.
“It was a tough choice from the stock currently available but 144 Lighthouse Road got the nod due to its ample sized master bedroom, 12 meter swimming pool and aquarium in the foyer,” he said.
PERTH WITH A POOL: 28 JARRAD STREET, COTTESLOE
Kirsten just missed out on nabbing this Perth home on Cottesloe’s Jarrad Street.
“This one has just been snapped up by a lucky buyer, but if I could, I would have bought it in a heartbeat for my mum back in Perth,” she said.
“She’s always wanted to live in the swanky streets of Cottesloe.”
“This period home is equal parts charming and lavish, and there’s a pool for when I come to visit!”
The three bedder set on 531 square metres includes Jarrah flooring throughout, pressed ceilings and open gas fireplaces.
“Plus, she used to point this street out to me when I was little, as it shares a name with my brother,” said Kirsten. “Perfect, no?”
BEACHSIDE LUXURY: BRIGHTON
As for my mum, when asked about her dream property, she delivered quite the list of requirements. I think I’ve managed to check most of the boxes with Merrybrae, a 1920s era home in the beachside suburb of Brighton.
A four bedder set on 1,040 square metres, it might be a little big for Mum and Dad, but with low maintenance gardens and paved outdoor entertaining areas, it wouldn’t be too labour intensive to care for. There’s plenty of room for the prized poodle and the beach is just down the road for the daily run.
What really seals the deal is the two sizeable kitchens. My mum has always dreamt of a home with an indoor kitchen and another outdoors – what Malaysians and Singaporeans refer to wet and dry kitchens.
The indoor one can be used for serving guests, while the outdoor one is where Mum can cook her (top notch) fish curries without offending Dad and the dog.
While buying a luxury home for our mums might never make the journey from daydream to reality, let's hope we can do a bit better than supermarket chocolates this Sunday.
Happy Mothers Day from Property Observer.