Latest news with #SunshineNorth
News.com.au
27-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
How this Sunshine North duplex could earn $1m
A Sunshine North duplex passed in at auction on Saturday despite strong interest, but agents say the right buyer could unlock a six-figure windfall with just $15,000 worth of work. The property at 44 Ford Ave offers two self-contained homes on a single title, with 95 per cent of subdivision work already signed off. Only water meter separation remains, paving the way for two individually sellable properties with an estimated combined value of $1.06m. With $800,000-$880,000 price hopes, the dual-dwelling set up attracted 18 inspection groups, 12 inquiries and six contract requests — but failed to meet reserve under the hammer. The Agency Victoria's Jim Christou said buyers were circling the opportunity to rent both units or live in one while selling the other. 'You've got two complete homes here, both with their own kitchen, bathroom, and living zones,' Mr Christou said. 'The front is already leased for $450 a week, and the rear was kept vacant for the sale, but it could easily match that. 'That's $900 a week, with the chance to split the titles and bank the equity later.' Unit 1 features polished timber floors, a full-sized kitchen, and a lounge with split zones for dining and living. The rear home offers an equally spacious tiled layout, light-filled bedrooms, retro bathroom, and private backyard, ideal for multigenerational living, investors or resale. 'There's real potential for equity growth here — whether you hold both, sell one, or flip them once subdivided,' Mr Christou said. 'And the owner's already done all the hard work. You're stepping in with the finish line in sight.' Mr Chirstou said Sunshine North's low turnover made comparable sales difficult to find, but also reflected the area's stability and appeal. 'It's a tightly held suburb. Once people move in, they don't leave — even renters,' he said. 'We actually had more traction on this last winter, which is unusual, but I can feel buyer confidence returning.' The property remains available for private sale.
News.com.au
24-07-2025
- News.com.au
Sunshine North fatal fire: Case against alleged arsonists over deadly factory fire delayed
A young Melbourne man accused of igniting a fire that killed two sleeping men has made an offer to plead guilty, a court has been told. Phoenix Darren John Tims, 20, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Thursday for what was expected to be the first of a two-day hearing to decide if the case should be sent to a higher court. But his lawyer, Sam Norton, made an application to adjourn the hearing, saying Mr Tims' lawyers had only recently received a statement from a fire safety expert that was 'directly relevant to these matters'. Mr Norton told the court the expert had attended the fatal fire in Sunshine North on February 23 last year and had written a report detailing risk factors that could have contributed to the fire and fatal injury. Mr Tims and a co-accused, Atem Akoi Thon, 20, were charged with offences including arson causing death in July last year after the fire at a Burnett St panel shop spread to a nearby factory where two men were sleeping. Police allege the duo were acting on the orders of a prison inmate when the fire was ignited about 3.50am. A 42-year-old father of three identified only as Hai and a 48-year-old man died at the scene. Mr Norton told the court that Mr Tims had made an offer to plead guilty recently that was being considered by prosecutors. 'It's clear on the prosecution case our client is involved in the lighting of a fire in a building that then spreads to another building and in that building, perhaps surprisingly … the two deceased were essentially occupying,' he said. Mr Norton said the fire expert's report contained references to factors that were 'directly relevant to our client's culpability', including whether an illegal building had contributed to the spread of the fire. A third man, Semaj Cigobia, 19, was charged with offences including assist offender (arson causing death) and criminal damage by fire after allegedly burning a vehicle in regional Victoria following the fire. Neither Mr Thon or Mr Cigobia have entered any pleas. The case against the three men was adjourned by magistrate James FitzGerald for a committal hearing on September 18.
