In 2014, Matthew Ayliffe and his wife Terri stood on a vacant block along Lawrence Hargrave Drive in Wombarra, captivated by the breathtaking ocean views. They decided to build their forever home there. 'We stood on the block, looked at the view, and said, holy crap, this is amazing - let's see what we can do,' Mr Ayliffe recalled. 'I'm a surfer, I've always loved the ocean, and loved the area... So we decided to build our dream house there.'
About the property
The resulting home, located at 633 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, was completed about eight years ago. Set on 815.7 square metres, this three-bedroom residence offers direct access to the ocean via stairs at the rear. The upper level main retreat features a walk-in robe, a two-way bathroom, and access to an ocean-facing deck complete with an outdoor bath. The adjoining living and dining zones flow seamlessly to an outdoor entertaining area featuring an infinity pool, timber deck, and landscaped surrounds. Other highlights include a separate studio with adjoining storage, ideal as a guest retreat or home office.
Owner's experience
'Waking up, looking at that ocean every day is something quite phenomenal,' Mr Ayliffe said. 'We've watched whales go past. So many people walk into the home, and their jaws drop, as soon as they walk down the stairs and see that aspect of privacy and ocean.' Although initially intended as their forever home, the property is now on the market. Mr Ayliffe explained they are selling because they have purchased a small acreage property elsewhere in the region. 'I used to feel like we were in a motel sometimes - when do we have to go home?' he laughed. 'At the end of the day, we feel we've had that incredible oceanfront experience. I will miss it, but I've had no regrets. I feel fortunate that we've had that experience, and I don't want to take it for granted.'
Agent's perspective
Selling agent Mattias Samuelsson from Ray White Helensburgh said the home has a price guide of $4.9 million. 'It's a uniquely designed home - very well-suited for a couple or someone wanting a weekend retreat,' he said. 'It's not your quintessential family home, so it's going to appeal to a specific buyer. We're getting interest from people from Sydney looking for a holiday home, and local couples wanting a nice oceanside lifestyle in their later years. Waking up to the sun rising over the ocean is about as good as it gets in the morning.'
