Banks family home offers space and great views

16 Orange Thorn Crescent, Banks
$850,000-plus
5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 car spaces
Auction on Saturday, at 10am
Inspect on Saturday, at 9.30am
Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Woden & Weston Creek, Craig Bartlett, 0439 952 857

The Tuggeranong valley’s rolling hills and the distant Brindabellas form the backdrop of this two-level elevated house in Banks.

Large windows in the living areas and a large, wrap-around deck take advantage of the impressive outlook, as well as the garden’s greenery.

There’s plenty of space to stretch out inside the formal lounge and dining room and the informal open-plan kitchen and living area, both with access to the deck and the view.

The current owners have extended the deck to double its original size. Its louvre roof can be opened electronically to flood the area with more light during the cooler months.

The kitchen includes stainless steel appliances and plenty of cupboard space.

The spacious main bedroom is at the front of the house and has a walk-in wardrobe fitted with shelving and an en suite bathroom including a shower.

The four remaining bedrooms have built-in storage, with two rooms at the rear of the house boasting valley views.

The bedroom closest to the front door can be accessed from the entry and the hallway and could be used as a study.

The main bathroom includes a bath and a shower with pebble-like detail and a separate toilet.

It’s located next to a large laundry fitted with plenty of built-in storage including three tall cupboards.

Downstairs, a large rumpus room covered with timber flooring could be used as a living area, teenage retreat or gym.

It leads onto a large, covered patio with plenty of room for outdoor furniture and a barbecue.

The view to the surrounding valley and mountains isn’t compromised despite the patio and backyard sitting at the lower end of the block’s slope.

The current owners have taken advantage of the yard’s shape with a three-level pond and extra decking at the rear.

The space wraps around two sides of the corner block and is covered in greenery, from established trees and shrubs to lush lawn – an extra shield of privacy.

Aside from a two-car garage, the driveway also leads to a large carport high enough to enclose a caravan or motorhome.

Need to know: Highest recorded sale in Banks in the past 12 months was $1.05 million for 21 Galbraith Close in September. Recent sales: $735,000 for 79 Forsythe Street in November; $448,000 for 3 Littler Crescent in December, and $355,000 for 13 Mathews Place in December.

Room for improvement: The patio could be converted into an outdoor kitchen.

Surrounding area: Banks is Canberra’s southern-most suburb, located at the bottom of the Tuggeranong Valley. The suburb is close to Lanyon Marketplace and Rob Roy Nature Reserve and home to its own neighbourhood oval. Many houses boast elevated views across Tuggeranong towards the Brindabellas. Banks is five minutes away from Charles Conder Primary School, St Clare of Assisi Primary School and Lanyon High School.