The local buyer plans to live in the beachside property. Photo: LJ Hooker Moruya.
Billed as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase a piece of musical history, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Michael ”Flea” Balzary has sold his South Coast holiday home for a reported $2.475 million at an on-site auction on Saturday.
At the edge of the tiny beachside hamlet of Congo, just 15 minutes south of Moruya, the unique oceanfront residence attracted international interest when listed in January. The home was placed on the market with an auction price guide of $3 million.
LJ Hooker Moruya agent James Hamilton says while the property attracted intense interest, the hammer ultimately fell to a keen local buyer who first inspected the home the day prior.
“Many of the interested buyers, wanting to do some renovations to the property, were not quite in the market. The buyer loves it just the way it is and does not want to do a thing to the home,” James says.
“But we are definitely seeing the effects of the current economic climate, rising interest rates are having an impact.
“As prices drop in Sydney and Melbourne, those looking to move to the coast are having to lower their bids. If they are getting less for their city properties, it makes sense there is less money to spend to purchase, it is a natural flow-on.”
Designed with Californian vibes, the earthy beachside property is on 2946 sqm of land bordering the Eurobodalla National Park on one side and the beach on the other.
James says the two registered bidders took part in person.
“There were a few bids made between those bidders and then we put a vendor bid in and the local buyer went above that.
“The buyer secured it after negotiations on the phone with Flea himself.”
The Australian-born bassist and songwriter purchased the property in 1994 and designed the home, with architect Malcolm Cheadle, in the shape of a cuttlefish, with two private but connected wings off the central home.
Built by local builder Pip Smith, the five-bedroom, three-bathroom home features a bespoke spiral copper-and-steel staircase connecting two double-storey wings. The jarrah timber floors throughout the home were sourced from Old Parliament House.
“Flea has written a lot of music at the property, band members have jammed downstairs in the original music room and surfed the local break when they were in town,” James says.
”They became well known to the area’s residents.
“It was a hard decision for him to let it go but he will still retain some interest in the local area.”
Beautifully maintained, the property has recently undergone extensive updates. Additional features include an open fireplace with stone detailing and a master retreat with an ensuite featuring a mosaic-tiled plunge bath. Bi-fold doors open to an alfresco terrace with views across the property.
Congo has become an exclusive destination renowned for its beautiful, pristine coastline. Just two hours from Canberra, the property has easy access to the world-class Bingi Dreaming track, which crosses along the clifftops to Tuross Head.
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