Why home buyers are making a beeline for Berry

Berry is known as the first “proper” country town south of Sydney, but it now comes with a million-dollar-plus entry price.

Many of Berry’s character homes and small acreage properties are selling for $1.5 million to $5 million and beyond.

Nicholas Lyell of McGoldrick Estate Agents says the village and surrounding lifestyle properties have benefited from road improvements and work-from-home options.

“Better roads and an existing rail line make commuting to Sydney so much easier for people to relocate to a country-coastal lifestyle in Berry,” he says.

“Lifestyle properties on small acreage – around five acres and more – are highly sought after, but they are often in the $5 million to $7 million price range.”

Lyell says properties in new estates like Huntingdale Park had sold out quickly in 2020, with many now selling for between $2.5 million and $3 million.

Mira Edwards of Raine & Horne says Berry’s prices had been increasing steadily in recent years, but COVID caused them to surge, as they had in cities and other regions.

“I think people have been putting a value on living space after so many of them had found themselves locked down during the pandemic,” she says.

Edwards says there has been a ripple effect of buyer interest in neighbouring towns as Berry’s prices have increased.

“Buyers are looking at neighbours like Camberwarra, Tapitallee, Shoalhaven Heads and Gerroa,” she says.

But, even there, prices for quality properties are ranging between $3 million and $5 million – and more.

• Connectivity: Part of Berry’s appeal is its infrastructure connectivity, with roads and rail effectively collapsing the distance between the town and Sydney. Add NBN for the perfect work-from-home situation.
• Optics: Berry offers a tree and sea change at the same time. It’s got it all: rolling green hills, a character village, even sea views – and it’s minutes away from endless beaches.
• Choice: Berry offers a wide range of property options from character homes in the village to small-acreage lifestyle properties – but entry-level options beneath $1 million are becoming scarce.

Check out our top pick of homes for sale in Berry:

57 Parker Crescent

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It’s been said before: there’s nothing like a freshly built home, a space you can make your own and imbue with your future memories.

This is a stunning canvas on which to base them: a custom, two-storey family home set on an elevated 2000 square metres of gorgeous Berry rolling green country.

Imagine yourself taking in the country-coastal air on the upstairs verandah while enjoying big views of the Coolangatta and Woodhill mountains. It’s certainly not a bad way to start or finish a day of working from home.

The property features expansive formal and casual living areas, highlighted by high ceilings, ducted airconditioning, timber flooring and staircase and, the piece de resistance, a unique double-sided (inside-outside) fireplace. 

This home is a light magnet. It draws it in through plenty of big windows and enhances it through a simple white palette. 

Potential buyers make a beeline for the family hub and aren’t disappointed with a kitchen that has everything that opens and shuts – but does it with a clean, seamless look – and a walk-in pantry. 

All of the bedrooms are double-sized, the main with a walk-in wardrobe and en suite.

There’s internal access to an oversized double garage and workshop along with generous storage options under the home.

If more space is needed, there’s side access leading to the rear yard for a boat or caravan.

Price guide: $3 million-$3.1 million

Private sale

Agent: McGoldrick Estate Agents, Nicholas Lyell 0401 658 450

Or try these:

103 Parker Crescent

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Price guide: $2.2 million

Auction: 6pm, April 19

Agent: Ray White Nowra, Glenn Brandon 0438 207 846

66 Prince Alfred Street

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Price guide: $1.6 million

Private sale

Agent: Raine & Horne Berry, Mira Edwards 0414 247 863

36 Princess Street

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Price guide: Low $3 millions

Private sale

Agent: Raine & Horne Berry, Susie Timbs 0414 767 707