Located on our sparkling Sydney Harbour and the Rose Bay marina, with three distinct ‘villages’ and some of Sydney’s most prestigious schools in the suburb or close by, this suburb continues to be desirable to those who want great housing in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Rose Bay history
Not many of the current residents of this prestigious suburb are aware of the market gardens that existed in the early years of the 20th century. The land leased by the Chinese George Louie Gay was resumed in the 1920s and is now the home of the Royal Sydney Golf Club.
Seaplanes give Rose Bay its distinctive character; in 1938, Rose Bay became Sydney’s first international airport, with flying boats carrying both passengers and cargo to other world destinations including London that also used marine air terminals.
It was only after World War II that land-based airports became common. Seaplanes are still a familiar sight on the bay, artfully dodging yachts, paddleboarders and catamarans when landing or taking off. Sydneysiders and visitors can take advantage of regular flights, or charter a seaplane. We’ve heard of barrister friends who take the seaplane regularly to destinations such as Newcastle – a faster option than rail or road.
Why choose Rose Bay?
Rose Bay, with a wealth of properties ranging from Art Deco apartment blocks, mansions like the fabled Fernleigh Castle and Federation homes to 1970s and ultra-modern apartments, has perennial appeal for professionals, particularly those with families. The suburb, with two distinct districts and characters on either side of Old South Head Road, is home to noted private schools such as Kambala Church of England Girls' School and Kincoppal-Rose Bay, a Catholic school for girls. Scots College Presbyterian school for boys and Cranbrook Anglican school for boys are in next-door Bellevue Hill (although part of the Cranbrook campus is in Rose Bay). Ascham, an independent school for girls, is a bus ride away opposite Edgecliff station.
Lifestyle
Unlike some of its neighbours, Rose Bay, while it offers cafés, restaurants and boutique shopping in the three distinct ‘villages’ of Plumer Road, New South Head Road and Old South Head Road, leans more to an outdoors lifestyle. The Royal Sydney Golf Course is the jewel in the crown, but those who appreciate an outdoor lifestyle have the option of tennis at the Lyne Park Tennis Centre, sailing through the Rose Bay Sailing Club, golf at the Woollahra Golf Club, Woollahra Colleagues Rugby Union Club, paddleboard and kayak hire from the small beach, Tingira Reserve and more. Plenty of open space and harbour walks, such as the famed Hermitage Walk that takes you past some magnificent foreshore homes, make Rose Bay highly desirable.
Rose Bay home prices and rentals
In Rose Bay, the median house price is $4 million, with the median price for units standing at $1.5 million (May 2021).
The median house rental is $1,300 p.w. while the median rental price for units is $622 p.w.
As an established suburb with many housing options, Rose Bay is attractive for anyone from 7 to 70 years old.
Capital growth in Rose Bay NSW
While houses under-performed last year, with a capital gain of -2.44%, Rose Bay homes have delivered 31.15% growth over a five-year period (May 2021).
Units delivered capital gain of 15.95% for the past year, and 61.92% growth within a five-year period. In fact, Rose Bay is one of Sydney’s highest-performing suburbs for units.
Given the limited stock available and high demand, this trend should continue.
Adding value to your Rose Bay investment property
To ensure high occupancy and a better-quality tenant, landlords need to keep their properties relevant. Especially now with a flight to regional cities or to suburbs with newer housing stock, it’s vital to give your asset the best chance of success.
Top things to do to keep your Rose Bay rental top of mind
- Make it pet-friendly. The incidence of pet ownership in the Eastern Suburbs and the Inner West is increasing as people continue to work from home and live in smaller households. These renters need understanding landlords.
- Keep up the maintenance. Things wear out, paint and flooring gets tired. To give your property the best chance of gaining a long-term tenant, keep your property fresh.
- Add amenities like air conditioning, ceiling fans or a dishwasher.
- Ensure you and your property manager communicate regularly with tenants to ensure they’re happy and they know you’re there for them.
Recently leased properties
In Rose Bay, Vogue Property leased 5 properties in the last 12 months (May 2021).
You can view all our recently leased Rose Bay properties to get a good feel for rental properties in the area.
