Casa Sweet Casa, A Cool Retreat

Newcastle Herald

Saturday December 2, 2006

By ALYSSON WATSON

OYSTER farmer Rod Moffat and his wife Coral are selling their Spanish-style home on just over a hectare in Raymond Terrace to retire to Mackay in Queensland.

Built 26 years ago on their own design, the crisp white rendered home, billed as "Country Vogue", features stunning Portugese marble throughout and is an entertainer's paradise with a split-level living area.

Mr Moffat said he designed the house so that every room, even the double garage, would look out to the central courtyard and in-ground swimming pool.

Also crucial to the design was accommodating a wine cellar underground, and this is tucked under the study in a striking bell tower-style feature. With separate entry, it is suited to conducting a home business.

On a road of small acreages, the property overlooks wetlands, and has a dam that supports all manner of wildlife.

The open-plan style with three bedrooms was well suited to family life, listing agent John Osborn, of LJ Hooker Raymond Terrace, said.

The bathroom has a large spa and also enjoys a rural aspect.

While the property was in a rural setting, it was only five minutes to Raymond Terrace, Mr Osborn said.

The property, at 38 Rees James Road, will go to auction on Thursday, December 14, at the Newcastle Travelodge.

Mr Osborn expects bidding to begin in the $800,000s.

Inspection is by appointment.Valley views to sigh for

JOHN and Jennifer Auld are selling their idyllic Vacy small acreage, overlooked by the Eaglereach resort and with views across the valley to the Barrington Tops.

The couple bought their 10.5-acre (4.25-hectare) property in 1995 and built a steel-framed American barn-style home to lock-up stage before progressively hiring Dungog tradesmen to fit it out.

Italian marble on the floors and in the bathroom are opulent features in an otherwise down-to-earth country retreat.

Mr Auld said they had planned to retire on the property but ill health had forced him to sell and move closer to health facilities.

The cute cottage has two large bedrooms upstairs, both with split-system air-conditioners, and a second living area. On the lower level, there is a new kitchen, bathroom and laundry, and living area with split-system air-conditioner.

Wrap-around verandas are ideal for taking in the serene surrounds and there is a double carport and outdoor entertaining area with tidy gardens.

The property, about half of which has been selectively cleared, straddles Cory's Creek and has two dams as well as a 10,000-gallon water tank and Biocycle system.

Rainforest pockets by the creek provide delightful picnic spots, and the creek has rock ponds for swimming and paddling.

Kangaroos and goannas are frequent visitors to the home, which is built to bushfire specifications. Only six minutes drive to Paterson, 74 Cory's Creek Road, Vacy is listed with Yvonne Kennedy, of Remax Integrity Raymond Terrace, for $469,000.

It will be open today from 1pm until 2pm.

One look, they're sold

BRECKIN Grove, a 150-acre (60-hectare) grazing property with new two-storey, five-bedroom architect-designed house at Vacy, has sold for $953,000 through Tavis Chivers, of Dillon & Sons First National, Dungog.

Listed at $990,000, the property at 1465 Gresford Road, Vacy, sold to the first prospective buyer Mr Chivers showed through, a Hunter Valley couple, for $953,000.

The substantial home enjoyed 360-degree views across the valley.

The vendors have bought a grazing property near Bourke.

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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