'Space for all': The tell-tale signs it's time to upsize

There comes a time when your current home no longer meets all your requirements and it’s time to move.

Agents say the need for more space and for spaces that serve different functions provide the biggest motivation to move, especially for families.

John Murray of Whale Coast Realty, who lists this Bingie home, says the pinch-point often arrives either as children become teens or adult children become parents.

“There’s a drive for more space … to give individuals their own privacy while also increasing the size of indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces,” he says.

“The arrival of grandchildren often drives the search for a lifestyle property – like the one at Bingie. Somewhere the whole family can enjoy, with space for all.”

Murray adds that the ability to work from home almost anywhere is another factor in seeking more space.

Steve Whitelock of Belle Property Canberra agrees that growing children are a prime reason behind the need to upsize a family home.

“They do need more space as they move into their teens – perhaps a place to study, relax, perhaps to have friends over,” he says.

“And, quite often, it’s also time to consider moving closer to preferred schools, perhaps even upsizing into an aspirational suburb.”

Whitelock says while the need is often expressed as a quest for more space, it could be summed up simply: “It’s all about lifestyle.”

• Space: Often this is the first indicator that a current home may longer meet requirements. Perhaps the family has grown or is growing up – or further options are needed for, say, working from home.
• Wealth: A move to a bigger home may well follow accelerating growth in personal or family wealth. This often coincides with the status of the housing and lending markets.
• Lifestyle: Maybe you want more space to host family and friends – perhaps a spare bedroom or two. Or you may want more indoor or outdoor entertaining space for the same reason.

Check out our top pick of homes for sale:

Bingie

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The Priory at Bingie on the South Coast is a family home for the generations. And that’s no exaggeration, with the property’s history dating back to the mid-19th century.

Where to start? Well, the elevated setting is perfect with 360-degree panoramic views of the ocean, lake and mountains. And it sits on nearly 20 hectares of verdant coastal land, close to the idyllic Bingie beaches.

The two-storey, five-bedroom residence was created by an artist couple and completed in 1995. The unique stone-clad building is distinguished by opposing expansive barrel windows that help deliver those mesmerising views.

A living room and a kitchen-meals area are located on either side of the entrance foyer. From there, a long gallery hallway provides access to multipurpose rooms, three bedrooms and a central courtyard.

Upstairs is the main suite and the balance of the bedrooms. A rooftop terrace offers a generous deck with a fire pit and pizza oven. Did we mention the cellar?

The internal architectural and design features – including coffered ceilings, timber-framed windows and doors, and marble tiles throughout – deliver a classic feel, which is continued in the sumptuous bathrooms and in the sturdy, spacious country-style kitchen.

Also on the property is a guest cottage and a studio among established gardens, plus other property infrastructure and dams.

The Priory is about 15 kilometres from Moruya.

Price guide: $3.6 million-$4 million

Auction: 10.30am, March 28

Agent: Whale Coast Realty, John Murray 0475 053 869

Or try these:

Moncrieff

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Price guide: $750,000+

Auction: 1pm, March 4

Agent: Canberry Properties, Mathew Kocic 0432 146 159

Curtin

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Price guide: $2 million+

Auction: 11:30am, March 4

Agent: Belle Property Canberra, Steve Whitelock 0402 082 159

Griffith

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Price guide: $2.3 million+

Auction: 1:30pm, March 4

Agent: Belle Property Canberra, Michael Pead 0431 937 684