THE quirk of an eyebrow was the agent’s initial response when asked if this North Coogee apartment came with a pool in the complex.

“There’s a big one, just there,” he smiled, pointing to the ocean a mere 200 metres away.

The complex on O’Connor Close is so new you can still smell the paint and carpets, and workmen were doing some last minute tweaking in the secure, undercover garage, where there’s also a locked storeroom for each unit.

This two-bedroomer ticks all the boxes for those looking for a low-maintenance lifestyle in a superb location.

A lift whisked us to the second floor, where the gentlemanly agent ushered me into the fully carpeted apartment on the south-east corner.

You step straight into a no-fuss, open-plan living/dining/kitchen area, light-filled thanks to a large window, and floor-to-ceiling glass onto the balcony.

The kitchen stretches the length of the room, and while it’s compact there’s plenty of preparation area and storage, including a double pantry reaching to the ceiling.

The bedrooms are at opposing ends, one right next to the bathroom, and each have generous built-in-robes.

A dryer is provided in the laundry, which is cleverly tucked behind double doors.

This is the perfect pad for singles, or retirees, and when the grandkids stay over there’s a lovely park and playground to work off their energy.

It’s a short stroll to either of the two cafes nearby or wander a tad further to South Fremantle’s rapidly growing cafe strip.

Fremantle is a longer walk (about 25 minutes), but if you’re not feeling energetic there’s the free CAT bus to whisk you into the heart of the city in no time.

This is effortless living, at an affordable price.

If it had come on the market a year or two ago while the boom was still around I dare say it would have cost a fair bit more: it seems that now is a good time to buy near the beach.

by JENNY D’ANGER

45/25 O’Connor Close, North Coogee
from $520,000
Xavier Teague 0417 978 812
Lorraine Rasmussen 0412 080 011
Acton Fremantle 9319 3022