Top 3 homes to inspect online in Canberra and the surrounding region this weekend from lockdown

With an air of uncertainty still hovering over Canberra’s property market, the ACT government and real estate lobby group REIACT continue to discuss and define what real estate essential services can and can’t take place.

What the industry is pushing for are one-on-one inspections with agents, similar to what’s permitted in NSW, which will give Canberra buyers much-needed peace of mind when it comes to making that all-important purchasing decision – the same goes for renters, too.

Despite pre-recorded videos being allowed for existing and vacant homes on the market, nothing can trump the reassurance that comes from walking through a property and seeing it for yourself.

Connecting in real-time via Zoom or FaceTime would be a step in the right direction, but that’s currently only a perk in neighbouring NSW amid lockdown. You can keep up to date by following our online news on the Allhomes website and Facebook.

In the meantime, check out our top three picks of homes on the market in Canberra and the surrounding NSW region.

Wherever you are in your property journey, we hope these homes spark some inspiration.

Meringo

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Finding the right balance between rural and coastal living can be challenging, but at 1241 Congo Road in Meringo lies a home with sprawling proportions and the perfect harmony of honest materials with a contemporary twist.

Located south-east of the nation’s capital in the Eurobodalla region, the home sports an emphasis on lavish interior spaces that blend beautifully with the outdoor recreational areas.

There’s plenty of room to roam on the 2.065-hectare parcel of land and your choice of beaches just 10 minutes away – Mullimburra Point Beach, Honeymoon Bay and Meringo, Congo and Bingie beaches.

And on your arrival home after a dip in the ocean and a rinse-off at the outdoor shower, you can continue to live the resort lifestyle within your four walls with high, white-washed timber ceilings, a polished concrete fireplace, skillion roof and a thoughtful blend of clerestory and louvre windows that soak the home in natural light.

A dual-purpose wall, which separates the lounge from the entry to the main bedroom suite, doubles as a television and entertainment unit on one side while providing an impressive eight-door streamline linen press on the other.

Outside, enjoy a family dinner alfresco style with the built-in gas barbecue while watching seasonal sporting events on the wall-mounted outdoor television. You can also look forward to long summer nights or winter evenings nestled between an open fire and wood-fire pizza oven. Don’t forget to top off your pizza with a garnish picked straight from the nearby vegetable garden.

Price guide: $1.899 million

Private sale

Agent: Hallmark Real Estate Advisors, Marlise Woodford 02 4473 8252

O’Malley

Written by Rosalie Iannelli

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A small part of me wants to give the home at 7/10 Taronga place a bad rap, purely to eliminate competition so I might be able to snag this home for my own growing family.

I grew up around the O’Malley area, and there’s nowhere else in Canberra I would have liked to spend my childhood. Secluded streets, a nearby nature reserve – it’s all-encompassing bush-capital living at its best.

Now, with a picture-perfect family home like this on the market, I’d be foolish not to take notice.

It’s north-facing and walled with feature windows, which means you can’t help but be filled with happiness when you enter the home.

Every corner has been utilised to some degree, with multiple living areas, plenty of storage and options to access the outdoors. The family room leads down to an adorable al fresco courtyard. I can picture playing here with my daughter, and hosting many balmy-night dinner parties.

Downstairs is a games room where I’d place all the kid’s toys and (attempt to) contain their mess. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

It’s big, but not too big, and that’s ideal for me.

Price guide: $1.3 million +

Forthcoming auction

Agent: Luton Properties Manuka, Sophie Luton 0410 750 413

Breadalbane

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Steeped in local history, the residence that housed Hotel Breadalbane that originally opened in 1878 has stood the test of time.

Since those glory days, the home has been completely renovated, re-roofed, re-rendered, re-wired, re-plumbed and solid brush box floors installed.

All the hard work has been done for you, and the home is ready for the next 100 years. Sitting comfortably on a 4793-square-metre block, the property has subdivision potential consisting of two titles.

In addition to a large number of bedrooms to suit a growing or extended family, there are numerous dining and living rooms as well as a 2500-capacity wine cellar.

The enormous kitchen features a commercial oven with a gas cooktop. Modern-day work from home requirements are covered thanks to a full-size library with an open fireplace near the home’s front door.

Price guide: $1.05 million – $1.1 million

Private sale

Agent: Ray White Rural Canberra & Yass, George Southwell 0429 838 345