AS reported in the news pages of this week’s Hills Shire Times, Cascades at 26A Carters Rd, Dural, sold at auction late last month for a whopping $4.8 million through Gaye Wheatley, of Century 21 Prime Property, Dural.

The result is just another example of the market shift in recent months in the district towards the use of auction campaigns to harness buyer interest, as well as the strength of the local prestige sector.

At present, there is an increasing number of lavish properties, both in suburban and acreage areas, going under the hammer.

The same agency will be taking five-bedroom houses at 9 Wyoming Rd, Dural, and 7 Carnarvon Ave, Glenhaven, to auction over the coming weeks.

Guardian Realty has a stunning four-bedroom home on a 2ha block scheduled for auction on June 26.

The property, at 577 Old Northern Rd, includes manicured gardens, ornamental dams, fenced paddocks and a windmill.

In Oakville, the agency will auction a 2.6ha property with renovated three-bedroom cottage at 154 Garfield St on Saturday.

June 28 will mark the in-room auction of 4 Bushland Place, Kenthurst, through L.J. Hooker, Dural.

The 2ha property includes a four-bedroom home complete with gym, wine cellar and lagoon-like pool.

This month, Rance Blamey Real Estate has an historic four-bedroom Federation home in Pitt Town, a six-bedroom resort-style home in Nelson, another six-bedroom home at 75 Shoplands Rd, Annangrove, and an unfinished mansion with guest cottages at 29 Boronia Rd, Glenorie, all going under the hammer.

In Maraylya, Ray White Hills Group is marketing a five-bedroom home with home office, rumpus and large shed at 132 Pebbly Hill Rd, due for auction at month’s end.

Away from the acreage belt, McGrath’s listings include a four-bedroom home on 1493sq m of land in the Balintore Estate at 77 Yaringa Rd, Castle Hill, up for grabs on June 26.

Then there is this week’s Cover Story home at 2 Lomond Place, Castle Hill, which is scheduled to be auctioned on July 3 with a price guide of more than $2.95 million.

And Homeway First National has a sweeping West Pennant Hills property up for grabs on June 19.

With so much on offer, it will be interesting to watch the market heat over the coming winter months.

I love cosmopolitan cities. I love the energy. That's why I like it here in Singapore, Hong Kong and New York City. These 3 cities have alot in common. One of the key similarities is the great food. These cities offer a huge variety of great food, from delicious and inexpensive street food to decadent gourmet dining with romantic ambience.

Over the weekend, I was in Hong Kong. I went to my usual food haunts. Had my dosage of dried prawn roe with noodles(dry) 蝦籽撈麵 at Mak's Noodles (麥奀雲吞麵世家) along 44 Jardine's Bazaar, Causeway Bay on 2 different days. Hot pot dinner and the cheapest Asahi Beer (3 big bottles at HKD 20 and that's about S$4.00) at 小肥牛火鍋活魚專門店 (Little Fat Cow Hot Pot & Sashimi Restaurant) along 141-145 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Stuffed myself with egg tarts that melt in the mouth from Tai Cheong Bakery 泰昌餅家.

The usuals.

But I tried somewhere new this time. Somewhere that oozes prestige, class and sexiness. Introducing Sevva (pronounced as "Savour"), located at the top floor (25th floor) of Prince's Building along Central District 中環遮打道10號太子大廈25樓. Sevva is the latest chic venture of Bonnie Gokson. I caught a glimpse of this stylish lady at Sevva that evening when I was sipping my champagne at the terrace. Sevva is an after-work haven for the beautiful ones, the rich blokes, the bankers and the funky advertising people. If not having dinner at Sevva's restaurant, they congregated at the terrace sipping their cocktails and wines while overlooking the city skyscrapers and harbour view. If you'd just like to enjoy the great view and get a drink, be there early so that you can catch the sun setting with a beautiful harbour as the backdrop. I was one of the lucky few to witness this breathtaking view. Sevva is officially my favourite hangout place. I'd have stayed longer if not for the uber expensive champagne prices. Did my mental sums on the house pours, the price for a glass of Veuve Clicquot is approximately about S$50 and a glass of Dom Perignon is at S$100.

Filed under: wine cheese boards