Capital gains: Friendly neighbourhood invites you in

8 Kurundi Place, Hawker
$1 million-plus
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 parking spaces

A friendly neighbourhood with regular tennis competitions and Christmas festivities is one of the attractions of this tucked away Hawker residence.

Kurundi Place is a cul-de-sac where residents have formed an usually strong bond that extends to an informal neighbourhood watch and an open invitation to join in as much or as little as you want with this tight micro-community.

Owner Sid Mishra says losing that connection will be the hardest part of saying goodbye to his family’s home of nearly nine years.

“The neighbours are fantastic and we frequently get together for an odds and evens street number tennis competition,” he says.

“And every Christmas we take in turns to host a party with plenty of food and wine in our homes.”

Sid and his wife and two sons were originally drawn to the spacious home that sits on a generous 1575-square-metre block because of the privacy offered by its cul-de-sac location, close to the Pinnacle nature reserve.

The split-level four-bedroom, three-bathroom home needed updating when the Mishras moved in and they have progressively remodelled it into a comfortable, contemporary residence, hallmarked by big rooms and plenty of outdoor entertaining options.

A formal entrance links with a generous lounge room that leads to separate dining and access to a private outdoor courtyard. The big family room adjoins an updated kitchen.

The parents’ retreat is enhanced by walk-in robe and en suite. The other bedrooms, on the other side of the house, are well-proportioned and serviced by a main bathroom.

Outside, a free-standing cabana with its own bathroom overlooks the in-ground pool and provides options beyond poolside entertaining as either a teenage retreat, guest room or granny flat.

Agent: Tim McInnes, Luton Properties Belconnen 0401 097 568. Auction: Saturday, November 5, at 1pm, onsite. EER: 1.0. Inspect: Saturday, October 29, 3pm-3.45pm; and Tuesday, November 1, 1pm-1.30pm

14 Warren Place, Chifley
$1.2 million
4 bed 3 bath 2 parking

A grand home and garden design that has evolved in Chifley over some 50 years is set for auction next Saturday.

Homeowner Tonia Shand says the Pettit and Sevitt-designed home had been the scene for great family times and entertaining, while the garden had been the vision of her late husband, Ric.

“It was basically just a sheep paddock of some 3000 square metres and it took shape over all those decades,” she says.

“There was a lot of trial and error, but it has given us a lot of pleasure.”

Visitors are welcomed into a glass linkway that connects the original home with the new guest wing.

A family room adjoins the living room, which boasts large picture windows. The home is served by a modern, central kitchen with scullery. A passageway leads to two bedrooms, while the master bedroom has an en suite, walk-in robes and its own courtyard.

The guest wing contains a spacious living area, bedroom, kitchenette, library and study area.

The garden includes full-sized tennis court and a secluded swimming pool and a multitude of carefully planned features.

Agent: Mario Sanfrancesco, Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Manuka 0412 488 027. Auction: Saturday, November 5, at 3pm, onsite. EER: 0.0. Inspect: Sunday, October 30, 10am-10.45am.