Property owners and builders don’t have to buy tickets to feel like they’ve won the jackpot when a representative of an art union prize comes calling.
The Sunshine Coast is a happy hunting ground for charities such as Mater Prize Homes, yourtown and RSL art unions to buy properties for inclusion in million-dollar prize packages.
Ticket buyers are drawn to the location (beach or hinterland). They dream of a more easy-going lifestyle and embrace our stylish architecture and penchant for outdoor living.
But what makes a property suitable for withstanding the scrutiny of the masses and make them part with hard-earned dollars for the chance to win?
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor with your name and suburb at Sunshine Coast News via: news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au
Sunshine Coast News can reveal the ‘must-haves’ the lottery consultants look for when purchasing a property – long before the interior designers wave their magic wand or slight cosmetic changes are applied.
Caloundra agent Karl Rademeyer has sold three properties to the Endeavour Foundation in the past two years – including one of his own.
The RE/MAX First principal said the ‘wow factor’ was key from the outset.
“There must be a ‘wow’ in the home and/or its location for the Endeavour Foundation to consider it as a potential prize home,” he said.
“A pool, or room for one, is another ‘must-have’, but what they ultimately look for is a property that will entice people to buy tickets to win it.”
His first sale was the home he and wife Lindi had newly built to sell.
Endeavour Foundation bought the five-bedroom, three-bathroom designer home at 5 Tailslide Crescent, Bokarina Beach, in January last year.
The small, easily maintained block, within 350m of the beach, appealed to those wanting a coastal lifestyle with all the trimmings.
Surf Life Saving Lotteries lottery manager John Devaney said turning a luxury property into a prize home was about making supporters’ dreams come true.
“For many, it’s a home where you feel like you’re on holiday every day. This is why you see so many prize homes close to the beach with great views of the ocean,” he said.
“A prize home might also mean a solid investment for the winner, and an early retirement.
“Is it a great asset, likely to increase in value? Is it in a popular suburb with strong demand?”
Mr Devaney said his organisation had been giving away prize homes since 1978 and keeping a close eye on the luxury home market in Australia for more than 40 years.
“When looking for a prospective prize home, we ask ourselves a few key questions: Is it your luxury home dream? What will be that first reaction when you walk in? Will you find yourself having those watercooler discussions where you just imagine owning it?”
The Surf Lotteries prize offerings emerge from a mix of new land and home builds, buying just after completion, or purchasing relatively new homes that could be renovated to ‘better than new’ condition.
Now knowing what to look for, Mr Rademeyer recognised a listing at Little Mountain as another potential prize home.
“I sold 12 Homestead Drive to Endeavour in June this year and this property is being used for this coming Christmas prize home draw,” he said.
“There’s a large pool with huge in-built spa, double-bay shed with extra-high doors offering accommodation for a boat, caravan or additional cars.”
Another Little Mountain listing at 30 Bayone Close ticked all the boxes and is destined for a 2023 lottery.
“Last month, Endeavour Foundation purchased a resort-like, five-bedroom home on a 2151 sq m block, which has expansive living areas, a magnificent al-fresco area and stunning gardens and pool.
“Its winning location is up a private driveway in a cul-de-sac, six kilometres to beaches, schools within a five-kilometre radius and 10 minutes’ drive to the Sunshine Coast Hospital hub.”
Meanwhile, tickets are now being sold in Surf Life Saving Lottery No.214, offering a property at Peregian Springs, with ticket sales closing on December 14, to be drawn a week later on December 21 to give one lucky winner a very happy new year.
The $1.9million grand prize package includes a stunning four-bedroom home with three bathrooms and two living areas in the 290 sq m living space on a 557sq m block. The home is valued at $1,750,000.
Ocean views from the upstairs master bedroom and resort-style shared facilities including a pool and barbecue area are among the highlights.
Mr Devaney noted that the budget for a prize home was often determined by the market.
“As house prices increase, there definitely is a tipping point where a property becomes luxurious enough to warrant that ‘prize home tag’, and we know we must continue to offer homes of that value.
“As we also fill our prize homes with luxury furniture and appliances, it all builds to that excitement of walking in, sitting down, and starting your new life.
“It’s difficult to say exactly what makes a luxury home into a prize home, but our team have many years of experience, and we can honestly say it’s more of an art than a science.”
Graham New, of New Designer Homes, sold one of his newly built Wurtulla duplexes to Surf Life Saving Lotteries late last year after the purchasing officer attended the first open house on a Saturday morning. The contract was signed by 4pm that Monday.
“They said ‘really high quality, really well finished, good floor plan, great location. If you put a pool in, we’re there’,” Mr New said.
“They told me they have never bought a property before without a pool, so we wrote that into the contract.”
SUBSCRIBE here now for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily!
