When Sally Penfold returned to Sydney from a stint in Hong Kong with her husband Bruce Wymond 18 years ago, they set about finding a new home.
Originally from Melbourne, the city was new to Mr Wymond, an engineer and executive director/founding partner of international consultancy the Inhabit Group.
“So when it came to looking for a house he had a few conditions,” Ms Penfold, a health and wellness consultant, said.
“Nature and privacy were the non-negotiable draw cards, after returning from a built-up lifestyle in Hong Kong.”
She said they both wanted their children to grow up surrounded by nature.
“I think he thought Sydney wouldn’t deliver and we’d end up in Melbourne,” she joked. “However, we were lucky enough to find this beautiful home in Osborne Park (Lane Cove), 10 minutes, and three traffic lights to the centre of Sydney.”
The couple have since added two children to their family, Lili, now 16, and Tom, who is 14.
Their home, at 11 Cogan Place, has surpassed all their expectations. Birthday parties have been particularly memorable, she said.
“At my daughters fourth birthday we ‘bumped into’ Snow White at the rock pools below us, and 12 years later my daughter still talks about the joy of that party,” Ms Penfold said.
“The kids loved those parties. As they got older it became pool parties and sleepovers in the stingray tent strung up in the trees.”
Lane Cove has become a hot spot for families like this one in recent years.
While it was among one of the hardest hit suburbs in the upper north shore in the recent downturn, buyers are now back in their droves and prices are bouncing back.
Agents are reporting strong numbers at inspections and auctions, and a stock shortage across the board is contributing to premium sale prices.