IF it weren’t for the gardens and cottage exterior, I’d be forgiven for thinking this Willagee house was a New York City apartment.
A cosmopolite akin to the likes of Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw would surely tread on the jarrah timber floors, through the large entry hall, with the clip-clop of Manolo Blahnik heels.
A writing desk could be at the lounge room bay window, near the fireplace. Her/his muse: the crackling of burning wood and sight of blooming pale roses camouflaged against the front white picket fence.
The walls are grey, like storm clouds. The vanity, cupboards and subway tiles in the bathroom and kitchen are a snow white. Even the wide skirting boards and architraves—usually insignificant—have a certain je ne sais quoi.
All three bedrooms of the fully renovated, 1950s house have great wardrobe space. The vendor is even leaving a tallboy for the next owner—a handy sweetener for my fictional friend, Bradshaw, and fellow clothes lovers.
A great design point is the rear sunroom, which I would happily rename the gloom room. I could just sit there, wine in hand, watching water trickle down the glass French doors on rainy days.
Illusions of city living are broken upon walking outside on an old, cracked red brick path, laden with fuzzy moss. I imagine soiling pointed heels walking on the lawn.
At the front is an undercover double carport. The backyard has a small, covered, north-facing alfresco dining area.
It’s modest—just like the price.
My tour guide, agent Siobhan Micale, dares me to find another place like this near Perth’s affluent west with the same price tag (from $585,000).
She says Willagee is one of the best suburbs to invest in because prices are steadily up about 10 per cent year on year.
“House prices here are usually around $620,000-$630,000,” Ms Micale says.
This home is around the corner from a library, community centre and IGA. About 500m from its picket fence is Caralee community school, and less than 1km away is Melville senior high school.
It’s also close to the expanding Garden City shopping centre, Fiona Stanley hospital and major bus routes.
84 Butler Street, Willagee
From $585,000
Siobhan Micale 0410 085 174
Caporn Young 9364 4373
