Surry Hills Style Beats Burbs
28th October 2007

WHEN house-hunting, aspect and location are the two features Tim and Rebecca Croft consider "the things we can't change".
So it was fortunate the home they bought in Arthur Street, Surry Hills, for $915,000 at auction yesterday ticked both those boxes.
"We thought we wanted suburban living because we are renting over on the North Shore, but we realised it wasn't for us," Mrs Croft said.
Instead, they opted for the urban inner-city lifestyle Offered by their new home in Surry Hills.
"The demographics in Surry Hills are really changing: there are a lot more families here now and we've got a few friends in the area," she said.
'We liked the aspect of this home and the street; it's really considered one of the best in Surry Hills."
Bidding on the 1900s Federation terrace, which is split into two one- bedroom vat orients, was slow to start. The auctioneer was reluctant to accept an opening offer of $675,000.
Two of the seven registered bidders cautiously traded offers before the price took off, selling well above the $785,000 reserve.
The Crofts, who have a three-year- old daughter Teagan and a second child due in three months, were overjoyed with their buy
"We were looking on the North
Shore for about six months, and we've been looking around here for about three weeks," Mrs Croft said.
'We had a healthybudget, but we felt if it went above that price then it wasn't worth it and it would have been significantly above market value.
'We are planning on renovating, but because this baby is due in three months we're not sure whether to move in straight away or stay renting on the North Shore:'
Carrington Group agent Ben Forsyth had quoted a price in the mid to high $700,000s.
"Everyone wanted the quiet position, the location, access to great schools, great shops, the Crown Street locale, proximity to Moore Park - it ticks all the boxes," he said.

Source: Domain Weekend Property Results