Capital Gains: Cutting ties will be a bittersweet move for couple

The decision for Ashley and Nick Mynott to put their Griffith home on the market has been bittersweet.

The Mynotts recently completed renovating the four-bedroom house in a heritage precinct filled with parks, walkways and leafy avenues lined with gracious 1920s homes.

“We bought the home two years ago, knowing we had finally found a house and garden that we could turn into the ideal property to raise our two young daughters,” Ashley says.

But now it’s time for Nick and Ashley to sell it and not only leave the home but Canberra where they both grew up.

“Nick has been given a work posting to Japan which is very exciting for us but we always thought this would be our family home for good so we are sad about leaving,” Ashley says.

It is an original Commonwealth house built for politicians and government dignitaries and, like most properties in Durville Crescent, is listed as having heritage significance.

“Nick and I both love heritage houses so that was what was so appealing for us. All the homes in the area have similar features and it’s hard to replicate their quirks and character.”

High ceilings, sash windows, timber floors, a fireplace and established gardens maintain the home’s old-world appeal.

“The most satisfying thing we did is landscaping and fencing the property – the backyard hadn’t been touched in years – and now we are able to watch our children play in a beautiful, secure garden.”

Ashley says the family will return to Canberra after the posting and may buy again in Griffith.

“Not many family homes come up for sale in the suburb but we would certainly start our search here for another house.”

No 1 Durville Crescent, Griffith will be auctioned on Saturday, April 2, through Luton Properties Woden agents Richard Keeley and Erika Stone.

Price guide: $1.45 million+. EER: 0. Inspect: Saturday, March 19, 11.15am-noon.

Makeover brings Gowrie classic back into fashion

Charisse and David Ashe have no regrets about buying a house built in a decade that style forgot.

Sure, the couple’s 1980s home in Gowrie came with orange benches, brown walls, vinyl flooring and loads of archways, but the eager buyers were able to look beyond the decor. They bought the house in 2008 with big ideas for their ugly duckling.

“It was the first house that we bought together. We were on a budget but we could see the potential of opening it all up,” Charisse says.

“For us, it was a smart decision to buy a well-built older property and completely renovate it in a suburb relatively close to Woden and the city.”

The Ashes renovated the three-bedroom home in 2011. It has since been rented solidly while they have worked overseas.

They are busy renovating another property in Macarthur.

No 24 Conway Place, Gowrie will be auctioned on Saturday, April 2 through Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Manuka agents Louise Harget and Dan McAlpine.

Price guide: $450,000+, Inspect: By appointment, EER: 1