Footballer's champion family home for sale

LEGENDARY Socceroo and Roar player Brett Holman and wife Femke are swapping the city for the beach, having listed their gorgeous Brisbane family home through Ray White New Farm principal Matt Lancashire.

The couple nervously bought the five-bedroom, four-bathroom residence at 30 Chambers St in 2016 soon after arriving back in Australia following 14 years of kicking a football across Europe and Asia.

“We moved here in September of 2016 and it was pure coincidence that this home was on the market,” Brett said.

“We wanted to rent because the majority of my career we rented due to so much moving, but then we realised the cost of renting would be ridiculously high. This house was meant to be in a way. The timing was perfect and it was a short settlement so it was lucky.”

Brett admitted attending the auction to purchase the property was more nerve-wracking than lining up in a professional football match.

“Especially when you talk about budgets, and the bidding reaches that budget which was fun,” he said.

“What we didn’t realise at the time was just how special a house and location it was to raise our kids. Mick and Emma have learnt to ride their bikes on the street and we’ve had so many fun times here - Christmas and Australia Day street parties. The no-through inner-city location is priceless.”

Reminiscent of the laidback childhoods many of us were blessed with, it seems remarkable that this lifestyle still exists and even more so because of the prestige inner-city location.

“It’s a special street,” Femke said.

“We moved here in October and were invited to the Christmas party in December. They blocked off the street with witches hats to close it off. Kids play out here every afternoon.”

Award-winning architect Ben Hennig of Mercury Design designed the Holmans’ house, which they’ve improved by renovating the kitchen, updating the floorboards and moving the pool filter.

“It’s just an easy home,” Brett said.

“All the living is on one level and sleeping on the other. The kids are close so that’s perfect and I think the most important thing is that you can open everything up so for entertaining it’s perfect.”

Designed to accommodate any number of visiting relatives, plus all the neighbours’ kids, the entire lower level can be opened to blend the kitchen, living/dining, lounge, outdoor entertaining, pool and garden.

“That was a great thing for me when I was travelling as Fem could keep an eye on everything because it’s so easy to see what was happening across the entire floor from the one room,” Brett said.

“It’s the perfect family home.”

Mr Lancashire has listed 30 Chambers St, New Farm for tender, with the expression of interest campaign closing Thursday, March 28 at 5pm, if not sold prior.

“There’s truly few better inner-city locations than this for buyers looking for a safe, friendly inner-city environment to raise their children,” Mr Lancashire said.

“It reminds me of the days when neighbours met on the street for an afternoon drink of a Sunday, or gathered to celebrate birthdays with a big barbecue. This lifestyle doesn’t seem to exist anymore, or at least in a radius within walking distance to the city.”

Mr Lancashire said Mr Hennig’s practical yet luxurious design was also the perfect fit for families.

“Family homes of this layout and quality are rarely available,” he said.

“Plus you have the priceless benefit of a no-through location within walking distance of James Street, New Farm Park, and some of Brisbane's best bars and restaurants.”