Why Rental Prices Are Rising So Fast

If you are looking for a property to rent at present, you will be confronted by a lack of stock and rapidly rising prices. Conversely, if you own an investment property, it is becoming more and more of a landlord’s market, and you will be seeing your return-on-investment flourish. 

So, what are the chief causes of rising rent? Primarily, supply is outweighing demand. A considerable number of would-be first home buyers have been priced out of the market recently and heavily affected by the rising interest rates. And sadly in some cases homeowners who locked in a property at the historically low interest rates, are no longer comfortably able to service that loan, inducing them to rent until interest rates stabilise.

Airbnb listings as proportion of rental dwellings in Sydney Photo: supplied

Another factor contributing to the short supply of rental properties is the Airbnb effect that has attracted many long-term rental properties to transition to short term rentals. Although the increased maintenance required to sustain an Airbnb property is not attractive to all investors, there are still enough out there who have withdrawn their long-term rentals, creating an even greater shortage in supply. 

Add to this, the number of homes that were purchased by first home buyers (see previous blog here) over the last ten years, assisted by increasing state and federal government incentives, has left the rental market under even more pressure from a supply perspective.


There has also been a resurgence of international travellers and students who want to live medium term in Australia. Many wealthy parents of international students are once again seeking high quality rental properties in areas that are well connected transport wise, have multiple local amenities and are reasonably close to universities placing further strain on supply (see previous blog here).

Finally, with the escalating prices of the Sydney real estate market across recent years, many landlords chose to sell their rental properties to homebuyers, and capitalise on the record high property prices, further draining the market of rental property. 

All these factors combined have affected the market considerably, meaning that what is out there now is snapped up quicker than ever due to high demand and scarcity of product. However, if you are an existing investor, looking to invest in your first rental property or add to your existing property portfolio, things are looking pretty darn good. 

Cramer have a large selection of apartments that each bear the ideal investment property fundamentals – incredible location in some of Sydney’s most popular suburbs, award-winning architects, impeccable design, premium build quality aimed at longevity, fabulous finishes, great development facilities and some of the best restaurants, cafes, bars and boutique shopping in Sydney. See below for intrinsically rentable apartments…

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The Cramer Guide to The best places to go and things to do in Marrickville

To learn more about Wicks Place and receive this as a PDF email emma@cramerproperty.com 

Surry Hills Village: ‘Why I bought a penthouse off the plan during a pandemic’

Ask Mary-Jane Salier — known simply as ‘MJ’ — why she and her husband, Kris Gale, have bought a penthouse off the plan in the Surry Hills Village development during a pandemic and she’s matter of fact.

“Yes, it’s a tricky time, but I’m an optimist at heart,” she said. 

 “TOGA [the developer] does have an excellent reputation for delivering a quality product and I feel as though we know what we’re getting.” 

And MJ, who leads the international regulatory team for US-based communications company Verizon, and Kris, who presents Fire Up! on FBi Radio, aren’t the only “optimists”. 

The original eight penthouses sold out in record time*. But we are pleased to introduce the last remaining penthouse has been re-released by the developer. Available now (click to view)

*This original article has been abridged & updated with current 2022 information

Make It and Create It in Marrickville

Mulga the Artist for Perfect Match

The last few years of lockdowns and isolation periods have taught us a great deal about hobbies and activities. Many people have chosen to use this slowdown positively to learn some new skills. Marrickville is a hub of arts and creativity with a variety of creative activities to explore.


There are so many artist studios located around Marrickville that the council runs the Creative Trails annually in August – go along to see art being made and peek into artists studios in your local area.



Many of these artists and craftspeople also teach their crafts from their private studio spaces. Why not learn Linocut Printmaking with Maggie Stein, Drawing and Painting for Beginners at Scratch Art Space and Silversmithing at Squarepeg Studios to name just a few.





For all-round creativity, Makers Space in Gerald Street hosts a huge array of activities from ceramics, metalwork, carpentry and jewellery making. This large workshop space houses a collaborative of artist studios and can offer membership plans (like WeWork) to access facilities to work on your own projects.



Located in the heart of the recently renovated Marrickville Metro, Hypmotive Hub is a one-stop shop for locally made artisan gifts. They also host a monthly market (next one is Saturday 13th August). It’s also a teaching space for Pottery Workshops where you can learn to craft the perfect vase for your stylish home. It’s not just all for adults - if you have a little one in your life, you can book a Kids Birthday Party and let your little ones get creative with clay.




Lil’ Crafters is another great location for those with younger kids. Based in McNeily Park near the Marrickville station, it’s a craft and messy sensory play space for babies to preschoolers. Everything is provided so you can enjoy getting creative without having to trash your own living space.



If you want to soak up the arts without getting your hands dirty then you may want to check out the council organised project Perfect Match - a walking tour of public Graffiti Artworks around the Inner West. 

Head to Camelot Lounge at the end of your tour for a refreshing beer, soak up the quirky atmosphere and decor and hear some live music. They also hold life drawing sessions with a burlesque twist at the Camel Arts Club every Wednesday. 




This is just a selection of the Creative and Artistic things on offer within walking distance of Wicks Place. Contact Cramer today to get your FREE Guide to Marrickville for more fun things to do.

Flashback to 1983 and share a beer with Bob Hawke!

Picture the scene - it's March 1983 and Bob Hawke is now Prime Minister after a landslide victory for the Labour Party. You’re wearing tight Levis with a plaid shirt, and you’re heading to the flicks to watch BMX Bandits with up and coming Australian teen actress, Nicole Kidman.



After the movie you head to Marrickville to grab a beer and a Chinese meal but hang on a minute…. 80’s Marrickville? Well, not exactly, but it might as well be. In Marrickville’s latest eccentric venue, the Bob Hawke Beer & Leisure Centre, you’ll feel as though you’ve entered a time warp.





Over the last few years, Marrickville has become a destination location for craft breweries – with over a dozen independent brewers within walking distance. The newly opened Bob Hawke Leisure Centre raises the bar with concept, décor and overall coolness. So how did this unorthodox venue come about? Like so many of the best ideas, it came from daydreaming. Homesick Australians Nath and Dave were sitting in New York on a cold day, dreaming about drinking a beer in the sun. Wondering who they would most like to have a beer with, the answer led to the founding of a brewing company with Bob Hawke.



It's the soulfulness of The Bob Hawke Brewery & Leisure Centre that elevates it above the pack. By combining two old school Aussie favourites - a cold beer and a great Chinese restaurant – the venue successfully nails the retro 80’s vibe, creating a quirky destination where you’ll feel instantly at home. Every part of the 1,200sqm establishment pays homage to legendary Prime Minister Bob Hawke and 1980’s Australiana. The décor is imbued with a personal collection of treasures and memorabilia, and lavished with 80s design trends such as golden hues, clashing prints and low level lighting. The lounge area and pool room have even been modelled after Hawke’s own pool room at his Northbridge home.

Chinese restaurant, The Lucky Prawn, is a museum-like time capsule showcasing all that is kitsch. A quintessential reminder of 80’s era Aussie-Chinese joints that could be found all over the country, the space celebrates red and gold, wood veneer walls, smooth curved lines and ornate, thick pile carpets (salvaged from Petersham Town Hall for authenticity). And to add the icing on the cake, this is a venue with a big heart. The boys donate a significant proportion of their brewery profits to Landcare and other environmental charities, so you’ll feel even better knowing that you’re helping save the planet when you frequent this soul-filled venue.

  

 

Close to this, and all the action of TimeOut’s top ten coolest hood in the world, is the Wicks Place village development located on Victoria Road Marrickville.



In this happening hub of creative spaces, cafés, parks, breweries, foodie destinations and so many more places to discover, you won’t find a cooler place to live. Check out Cramer’s phenomenal Wicks Place properties here:

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Call Cramer today to visit the showroom and learn more about Wicks Place, Marrickville today.

Living large in Sydney’s most family friendly developments

Many of us still believe that when our family expands, we need to upgrade from an apartment to a house. This generally requires a move away from the area that we love to somewhere often unfamiliar where we believe we’ll get more bang for our buck. The Great Australian Dream of the quarter-acre block with a Hills Hoist has been drummed into us since time immemorial, so considering other options seem unideal.



Just by re-evaluating our assumptions, we can be happier remaining living where we know and love. Most of our lives are so busy now, that the Australian Dream, should it be realised, involves an awful lot of extra work. However if we trade that extra space for convenience and access to amenities in our favourite stomping ground, we often benefit greatly. Don’t forget, agents have not been using the old real estate adage “Location, location, location” for nothing.

So if we are to look at growing our family in an apartment/residential development context, the smartest master-planned developments have common facilities that allow families a number of outdoor recreation spaces. The smart developers recognise the fact that if families are going to live in apartments, their project is best placed close to local parks and sporting facilities. The three bedroom apartments to look out for are ones with spacious living areas that flow out to large balconies or courtyard gardens. They should have an intelligent floorplan that maximises space and sleek, streamlined interior design for ease of cleaning. Look for good sized kitchen and storage cupboards and bathroom cabinetry that facilitate organisation.



Three bedroom apartments are ideal for growing families but if your budget will only extend to a two bedroom apartment, then look for a master bedroom spacious enough to set up a little nursery, for if and when you have a new addition. Then once sleeping is more settled, your little one can move into the second bedroom with its sibling if it is large enough to accommodate two single beds or a single and cot. With good organisation, this set up is very doable so don’t rule out a two bedroom apartment if you are thinking of having another child.

Premium developments sometimes have modern terrace homes that feature ample floorplans and several on-title outdoor areas. Terrace homes are fabulous, as they have the space for a growing family, good sized outdoor areas without the high maintenance of a house and garden, giving more time for family fun pursuits. 

Cramer have an outstanding selection of family friendly property options to suit your family’s needs. So think a little outside the house and garden square and find the perfect home for your family where you don’t need to compromise on location.

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What’s not to love about Alexandria and Rosebery

What’s not to love about Alexandria and Rosebery

The Grounds of Alexandria

Over the last few decades, Sydney’s Inner East suburbs of Alexandria and Rosebery have undergone one of the most radical transformations in our city. What were almost exclusively industrial areas have been dramatically gentrified are now teeming with some of Sydney’s most popular eateries, boutiques and artisan purveyors galore. 

Three Blue Ducks

Archie Rose Distilling Co

Many of the original warehouses have been brilliantly converted and repurposed as trendy bars, urban distilleries, food emporiums, funky cafes and one of Sydney’s most iconic destinations, The Grounds of Alexandria. Our favourite eateries are Bread and Circus Wholefoods Canteen, Three Blue Ducks, Sushi Jones, Yulli’s Brews, No 5 Restaurant and Bar, Pino’s Vino e Cucina, Zeus Street Greek, Mentmore and Morley, Black Star Pastry, The Cannery, The Drink Hive and Archie Rose Distilling Co – so much to love! 

Koskela

Living Edge

Utterly lovely homeware stores abound; the divine Koskela – where everything is designed and made in Australia; ultra-modern Scandinavian and British homewares at Living Edge; mid-century modern at Blu Dot; Brosa Studio +; and the homeware institutions of Coco Republic, Matt Blatt and Space. Or journey through the past at Mitchel Road Antique and Design Centre – a 2,300sqm antique and collectable bazaar where you can easily lose yourself for half a day. 

Mitchell Road Antique & Design Centre

Need to give your wardrobe a facelift but don’t want to spend a fortune? Look no further than the plethora of high fashion outlets such as Camilla and Marc, Zimmerman, Springcourt, Sambag, Incu, Dunning Avenue Outlet for denim and Seafolly for swimwear. And for covetable shoes, pay a visit to Wittner, Puma, New Balance, Reebok, Rockport, Lacoste and Ben Sherman outlets. And if you are in need of the most glorious bouquet, visit Mr Cook, the florist with some of the best blooms in Sydney.

Outlet Stores Alexandria

Feeling daring, energetic or both? Want to reconnect with your inner child? Look no further than Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq for bumper cars, bowling, arcade games or a little laser tag. Switch to adult mode as the Cirque turns to a cocktail bar by night. You can even indoor ski at In2ski. Care to channel your inner Viking? Try an axe-throwing competition at Kiss My Axe. And nature lovers can walk, run, cycle or picnic through the 40 hectares of green space that make up Sydney Park.

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq

Kiss My Axe

For a slower pace, visit the underground Green Square Library. There are more than just books in this masterpiece of urban design. Featuring a subterranean garden and open-air amphitheatre, or you could hire the music room that comes complete with its own Baby Grand. Public transport is fast and effective from Green Square Station – zip to the CBD or Sydney Airport in 10 minutes either way.



If you are loving the sound of these vibrant, fun-filled suburbs, why not live in the thick of it with all the action at your doorstep 24/7. Teneo apartments in Alexandria offer superbly crafted, contemporary designer apartments and terraces where you can live the dream everyday.

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