Top 5 open homes to see in Canberra and the surrounding region this weekend

We hope the first instalment of our top open homes to check out this weekend for 2020 kick-starts your new year property journey.

We’ve searched across Canberra and the surrounding region from the city to the country; an edit of the best of the late summer market. It’s a mix that will inspire you to hit the open inspections with takeaway latte in hand, from homes with great entertaining spaces and gardens to an apartment on the Kingston Foreshore that would give the holiday hotels we’ve just come back from a run for their money.

In the wake of the devastating bushfires affecting our South Coast neighbours and the Kings Highway finally reopening, it’s a great time to extend the property search this weekend to our favourite weekender towns with an #emptyesky and support the communities that need it the most.

Hackett

56 Rivett Street

Price guide: $850,000-$950,000

3 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms, 1 car space

Enjoy mountain glimpses throughout this lovingly updated home that’s overflowing with natural light.

It’s an ideal place for young professionals looking for inner-northern living with room to extend or improve in the future.

There’s new paint, carpet and floorboards in the separate lounge, meals and bright sunroom which make the layout feel “as new”, while the functional and updated kitchen overlooks a private rear garden.

The main bedroom is spacious, while a renovated bathroom services the remaining two bedrooms.

And this sizeable 855-square-metre block features both a cosy front deck and an expansive rear garden.

Mount Majura Nature Reserve is practically on your doorstep, giving you the opportunity to enjoy regular bushwalking or cycling along mountain trails.

Auction: 10.30am, February 1

Agent: Upside, Catherine Halloran 0490 045 819

Yass

62 Church Street

Price guide: $840,000

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car space

This property truly makes a grand statement sitting proudly in an elevated position, yet just one block back from the main street.

The Federation beauty was built in the early 20th century and features ornate archways, polished timber floors, five fireplaces and a fabulous family room extension to the rear.

The formal living and dining rooms have an old fashioned charm and a wonderful ambience to both rooms, while outside, the huge verandah with distant views over Yass is a cosy spot for winter warmth.

A spacious light-filled granite kitchen flows into a sunny casual living and dining area that opens through French doors onto the private garden courtyard, offering a leafy and inviting space to relax.

Private sale

Agent: Yass First National Real Estate, Deb Johnson 0427 394 481

Braddon

9/32 Gooreen Street

Price guide: $700,000 +

2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

Braddon enjoys plenty of attention for its mixed-use developments and its vibrant cafe culture, but this long-established Inner North suburb is much more than just its headline-grabbing Lonsdale and Mort streets.

That sense of history can be seen in the architectural styles of surrounding residential streets and homage is paid to that heritage in a boutique townhouse development at 32 Gooreen Street.

Unit 9 offers perfect-sized inner-city living with plenty of space for outdoor entertaining with its own private courtyard.

The open-plan living area benefits from northern light and flows freely around a large kitchen, casual meals and family area that connects with the outdoors.

There are two main bedrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs – a floor plan that would appeal to down-sizers with a preference for single-level living.

And, of course, the property is located within walking distance of everything: the Canberra Centre, Braddon’s cafes, and the Ainslie primary school.

Auction: 9.30am, January 25

Agent: Belle Property Kingston, Leanne Palmer 0400 545 343

Narrawallee

21 Scorpio Grove

Price guide: $1.15 million

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

Tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac with a lush leafy outlook is a stylish home that seamlessly combines industrial finishes such as copper, concrete and compressed cement, with warm natural timbers and expanses of glass.

From the front entry, walk down an impressive open timber staircase into the massive living area featuring five-metre high raked ceilings with exposed timber beams and trusses.

A wood-burning slow combustion fireplace sits on a polished concrete slab warming the home in winter, along with gas heating, while ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning over three zones keeps the home cool in summer.

No expense has been spared in the sleek black kitchen, with 40-millimetre stone benchtops, oversized island bench, high-quality appliances and a butler’s pantry with extra bench space.

Triple-slide glass doors open onto the elevated alfresco dining area, with a private outdoor nook also providing the perfect sunny corner for breakfast or afternoon sundowners with friends.

Private sale

Agent: Raine & Horne Mollymook & Milton, Ben Pryde 0410 324 209

Kingston

72/5 Kerridge Street

Price guide: $1.395 million

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces

Located in the prestigious Azure complex, this penthouse is both luxurious and homely.

Split over two levels are three spacious bedrooms (two of which offer private courtyards), two bathrooms, an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, a separate laundry, a study nook and a balcony with lake views.

The home was originally held by the developer for a family member, meaning the layout and design is the best in the building.

Three large skylights fill the home with natural light. Exposed concrete ceilings are contrasted against timber panelling, moulded walls and parquetry flooring to provide a sense of warmth and comfort.

Don’t be fooled by the chic, understated kitchen, because it’s just as functional as it is beautiful. It’s equipped with double fridges and freezers, Miele and Fisher & Paykel appliances and a Billi Zip tap that provides filtered boiling and sparkling water on demand.

Clean white and mirrored finishes on the cabinets and wardrobes call for uncluttered interiors. This is made easier with the abundance of storage available in both a storage cage and separate storage room.

Private sale

Agent: Purnell Citywide, Nick Purnell 0401 043 142