The Strathnairn Charity House has, quite literally, become the gift that keeps on giving.
Sold for a staggering $1,596,600 at auction in late March, the beautiful home at 41 Rachel Makinson Street fetched a price well beyond expectation – thanks to some determined bidders, the extra generosity of MARQ Property and a plethora of big-hearted businesses.
MARQ Licensed Agents Natalie Kokic-Schmidt and Rachel Anasson, who supported the marketing of the charity home, helped make the Gunasekere family’s dream a reality – offering to sell their existing Strathnairn home at zero commission so they could bid even higher on auction day.
Other businesses have also pledged to donate free and discounted services to assist with the sale.
A joint initiative between Master Builders ACT and Ginninderry, the Strathnairn Charity House was designed and predominantly built by women in a two-year labour of love that saw almost $1 million of donated materials and craftmanship poured into the home.
Proceeds from the sale will go to Hands Across Canberra to distribute to three local charities – Pegasus Riding for the Disabled, Karinya House and Canberra City Care Charnwood.
New owner Naresh Gunasekere said he and his wife Chamari had been buoyed by the support of the MARQ team and other businesses that helped them to win their dream home.
“It’s a really great feeling, we’re fortunate we were able to secure it,” Naresh said.
“It’s actually because of the MARQ team that we became interested from day one. From the first inspection right to the day of the auction, Natalie, Rachel and Jason (Anasson) were there guiding us and offering their support.”
When the couple thought they were out of the auction race, they were able to continue bidding, knowing MARQ’s commission fee and a range of marketing and legal expenses to sell their current home at 50 Fairbrother Street would be generously donated.
“There were times when we really gave up at the auction because we felt it wasn’t there, but they gave us alternative options and really supported us by taking out some of the fees on the sale of our current home,” he said.
“It really helped. Without that, we wouldn’t have been able to secure it. The discount and their support, everything they did, each dollar, $500 or $1000 helped us to win the home.”
As part of the campaign to sell the family’s existing home, MARQ has donated its entire commission fee, which amounts to around $22,000.
In addition, auctioneer Hugh Rainger will conduct the auction free of charge, Leader Graphics has donated the signboard and brochures, Adorn Home Staging is staging the property at no charge and ALX Creative Media has produced a complimentary listing video. Online real estate portals Zango and REA, which runs realestate.com.au, will donate listings and Matwal Legal has offered discounted legal fees.
Naresh said not only was the Strathnairn Charity House a wonderful property, but the fact that proceeds of the sale would be donated to charity was a bonus.
“We are so happy. We know all these charities because I’ve worked in the community sector. I know Hands Across Canberra and Karinya House and the amazing work they do.
“We know how many families and individuals will be supported by this – it makes us so happy.”
Rachel said MARQ was proud to be at the forefront of the successful sale, which would help some of Canberra’s most caring and hard-working charities continue to help those in need.
“The sale price was beyond market feedback. The feedback we were getting was around the $1.4 million mark so this surpassed what the market was telling us during the campaign,” she said.
“Certainly, from where we are sitting in the current market cycle, this is a huge price – it’s absolutely fantastic.”
The sale price is just shy of the record for the suburb, after 32 Fairbrother Street, Strathnairn sold for $1.65 million in August last year.
Set on a 721sqm corner block with a floorplan spanning 330sqm of living space, the four bedroom Strathnairn Charity House is a split level design that has been curated with multigenerational and intergenerational families in mind.
There are generous living spaces, two kitchens, three bathrooms, a study and an outdoor entertainment area with an outdoor kitchen.