Must Haves For A Trendy Home in 2015

Once found only in the wealthiest homes, walk in dressing rooms, as well as mud rooms and iPad-controlled appliances, are shaping up to be the must-have features in homes for 2015.

Mudrooms, which are more common in US homes for hanging wet clothes and storing dirty shoes are emerging as a functional addition to many homes in Melbourne lately. They are a great way of keeping your house organised while also giving you extra space to hide mundane household cleaning appliances from your guests.

In the bedroom, dressing rooms with his-and-her wardrobes are expected to grow in popularity. In particular ones with a sitting area. And for those looking to create even more space, dig deep, said Hodges Director, Campbell Cooney. He says underground multipurpose rooms, for games or wine storage are in, while home cinemas are out.

Suspended fireplaces are another addition often only seen in the wealthiest homes. However fireplaces that hang from the ceiling are proving to be one of the more popular items featured in many households as they are a way of adding a touch of luxury to any home.

Finally it is the iPad- controlled appliances and fixtures that are certain to become one of the bigger trends of 2015. These seemingly high tech household features are more often than not only seen in movies, however they are now easily accessible to everyone. They are a practical and easy way to turn on the lights and sound systems from one spot.

Amazing Results At Auction Over The Weekend For Hodges Brighton

Hodges Brighton have had some amazing results over the weekend with two properties selling well over reserve.

6 Kyarra Street Hampton was the most notable with a crowd of over 100 people turning up to the Valentine’s Day auction. The attractive weatherboard bungalow with shingles, leaded windows and the mandatory deep verandah fits in perfectly with the humble Californian bungalow style that is synonymous with Hampton. The numbers were flying fast during the hotly contested auction of this three-bedroom home. Six bidders placed more than 100 bids combined, but it was finally knocked down to a young family for $1.64 million. The reserve was $1.45 million.

There were similar results at 14 Parliament Street Brighton. With $1.05 million as its reserve price, it sold for an incredible $1.32 million. This single-level three bedroom home turned out to be an easy investment in the heart of Brighton. The new home owners are able to continue renting this comfortable home as is and benefit from strong demand for compact family accommodation so close to the schools, shopping strip and station. Alternatively the new home owners could capitalise on the home’s solid construction and use this well-proportioned home as a base for future renovation. The options are endless.

Exciting New Home And Lifestyle Show Healthy Homes

Last Saturday Hodges Director Campbell Cooney was featured auctioning a home on exciting new lifestyle show, Healthy Homes.

A positive and engaging lifestyle branded show, based around creating and maintaining a healthy and happy home, Healthy Homes TV Australia shows you the stuff you can do at home no matter how limited your knowledge or skills are. Each week on the show, they are called into a viewer’s house to have a cuppa and get to work on testing out ideas and products around home, and garden. From styling a room, to the latest appliances and garden innovations to managing your home finances, they’ll show you what’s hot, where to buy it and how to style it.

In this week’s episode, hosts Dani and Walt help one of their viewers renovate his suburban home built in the 70’s. While doing so they road test the latest in products, gadgets, gismos and services to help make your quest for a better home that little bit easier.

Catch Healthy Homes TV Australia on Channel 10 every Saturday at 1pm.

To watch last week’s episode click here.

 

Interior Design Trends In 2015

Last weekend The Age published an article on the forecasted interior design trends of 2015 as predicted by some of Melbourne’s leading property experts.

According to the article, a butler’s pantry is this year’s object of desire. A butler’s pantry is used for everything from concealing cooking mess to collating household bills.

The article quotes Hodges Director, Campbell Cooney, who says the butler’s pantry is an aspirational feature. “We’re seeing more houses with rooms with a second dishwasher, sink and preparation area.”

In previous years spas and home theatres have been highly sought after, but the popularity of cooking shows has changed what buyers want in the kitchen, with some of the most fashionable design changes being made in the traditional heart of the home.

In addition to butler’s pantries, large ovens and stovetops, fashionable tapware and more streamlined colours and finishes that make showpieces of practical items will all be desired features in 2015.

To read the article, click here.

Hodges Real Estate Launches In Melbourne’s North-West, By Jennifer Duke, Property Observer

Hodges Real Estate has launched their 12th office, in Ascot Vale, this month.

This will be the agency’s first foray into Melbourne’s inner north-western suburbs. Typically considered specialists of Bayside, they are looking to focus on other areas of Melbourne with 2015 expected to be a bullish year of opening offices.

Director of Hodges Real Estate, Campbell Cooney, said that they have collectively over 150 years’ of real estate experience in Melbourne’s south and now want to replicate this success. Hodges Real Estate was founded in 1856.

“We have an aggressive growth strategy in place; the unveiling of Hodges Ascot Vale stands as a testament to this,” said Cooney.

The new Ascot Vale office was formerly Geoff Green Real Estate. It will be led by Aaron Leask and Adam Hicks, both locals in the area.

“Being a boutique agency, Geoff Green Real Estate had similar values to Hodges so we saw great value in turning the business into a Hodges franchise. By combining our passion and drive for the local area, with Hodges’ reputation and business acumen, we can rest assured that we have a recipe for a successful future,” said Hicks.

This article first appeared Property Observer.

5 minutes with Sam Hatrick from Hodges Mentone

When did you join Hodges?

I felt I started when I purchased my first piece of Real Estate 6-7 years ago through Hodges. However, as an employee of the company, back in February 2012.

Which branch of Hodges do you work for?

I am proud to be part of the wonderful team at Mentone.

What do you like most about your job?

Being able to help people realise there real estate dreams. Buying real estate is an important part of our lives and being able to share that experience is something special. The opportunity to meet and work with so many different people of all ages is also another great aspect of my job.

What’s a great piece of real estate advice you could share?

You cant put a price on happiness!

What do you do when you’re not at work?

Catch up on sleep, head to the footy, join the peloton on beach road, or fit in a round of golf.

What public personality/celebrity have you been likened to and why?

Glenn Archer, perhaps because of our looks. I really admired his courage on the footy field and tried to emulate it. Perhaps I just didn’t have quite the same ability.

If a reality program was made on your life, what would it be called?

No idea, I don’t see myself as a movie star. I’m just an Aussie bloke, who loves doing what he does.