As young families flock to buy property in Helensburgh, the suburb is also reportedly recording record sales prices.
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A four-bedroom, two-bathroom '80s original home on four acres, located at 1 Old Illawarra Road, Helensburgh sold last weekend.
The property was sold as a deceased estate.
Co-selling agent, Elle Ritson from Ray White Helensburgh said the Sydney-based buyers didn't wish to disclose the final sale price.
However, it's believed the sale price was $4.1 million, which would smash the suburb's previous record of $2,725,000.
Mrs Ritson said Helensburgh was becoming increasingly popular with families, and featured a limited number of acreage properties.
She said many Sydney buyers were looking to sell their terrace or larger apartment, and buy in Helensburgh with cash leftover.
"The appeal of Helensburgh is that you can also catch the train into the city," she said.
"You've got all the amenities; the hikes, beautiful beaches, it's the gateway to the Illawarra.
Other recent sales there include 17 Club Lane for $1.22 million, and 14 Old Farm Road for $1,301,000.
Victoria Black and husband Brad recently sold their three-bedroom, single-level cottage at 23 Parkes Street in late June.
It sold for $1,275,000, which was $325,000 above the asking price.
It was sold to a Sydney buyer.
Mrs Black said they'd owned the home, which they paid $750,000 in 2018 after relocating from Engadine.
"We were first home owners, so we were looking for something a bit cheaper than the Shire... We could get a lot more value for money, which is what attracted us to the area," she said.
Mother of two Mrs Black said they'd seen a lot of families moving to the town in recent times.
"People are looking for that lifestyle change," she said.
"It feels so different here, we're so close to the beach... It gives you a lot of options without having to go too far south."
Mrs Black, who typically commutes to the Sydney CBD three days a week, said the family was moving to Brisbane.
They had planned to stay in Helensburgh long-term, but job opportunities came up.
"We'd also been watching the market in Helensburgh and surrounds, and we just knew that we could never get anything bigger for what we could afford around here," she said.
Mattias Samuelsson from Ray White Helensburgh said the suburb was traditionally a mining town, and had perhaps previously been "viewed as a little less than the rest of the northern Illawarra".
However, he said nowadays Helensburgh was an affordable option with an amazing lifestyle.
"What we've seen over the past decade is this influx of young families," he said..
"You're surrounded by national park, the beach is five minutes away, there's express trains to Central Station for work.
"And it's off the main road - it is quite peaceful and still has that regional town feel. "
On the market
Among Mrs Ritson's latest listings in the area is 4 Sutherland Street, Helensburgh.
The home is located on a 1265sqm block and surrounded by bushland.
There is currently no price guide for the property, which is scheduled to be auctioned at a yet to be confirmed date.
However, Mrs Ritson expected interest to be about $1.4 million.
Amanda Wood said 4 Sutherland Street was built by her husband Ben's grandfather George, and had been in the family for 70 years.
She said the home had been a labour of love for the family, which they were selling for a lifestyle change and change of scenery.
Mrs Wood said after living there for about ten years it was a reluctant sale - "we love that little home" - but with a young, growing family they needed to upsize.
She said it was mostly the original home; they added a deck, a new bathroom and installed floating floors.
"It's the land size and the location," she said of the home's standout features.
"I've been a stay-at-home mum for two years, and I can walk ten minutes up the street to get a coffee and do my shopping.
"It's near schools too. But you feel like you're in the middle of nowhere."