This unassuming brick home comes with a hidden bonus that many of those viewing the property aren't even aware of.
It may not look like much from the street, but this humble three-bedroom home in the riverside suburb of Tacoma on the NSW Central Coast hides a stunning surprise beyond its vast garden: nine acres — or over 3.5 hectares — of prime bushland.
68 Braithwaite Road, Tacoma spans approximately 9 acres. Picture: realestate.com.au
This vast amount of natural land on title is so unexpected that many who view the property don't even realise it's part of the deal, said Adrian Simpson at Coastwide First National.
"It's an extremely rare proposition. When they did the subdivision there, for whatever reason, they attached what was crown land to this residential property."
The home sits on approximately 1,350sqm of cleared land zoned R2 Low Density Residential, with the balance of the 9 acres zoned C2 Conservation. Picture: realestate.com.au
When buyers realise how much land the property comes with, some view the three-bedroom house at 68 Braithwaite Road, Tacoma — listed for just $830,000 — as quite the bargain.
"Some people learn about the landsize and think, wow, that's great, no one can build around us," Mr Simpson said.
The huge block offers plenty of scope to extend. Picture: realestate.com.au
Vendor Craig Williams was one of them. He bought the property as an investment in 2024 for $800,000 with the plan to move there with his family some day.
"The kids have BMXs so we were going to try and get bike tracks going through the bush. We were excited to explore through there," he said.
"Plus we loved the massive backyard, the privacy and the fact there's only one neighbour."
Less than two hours from central Sydney, the property is relatively cheap for Tacoma, where the median house price is $1.04m — up 29.7% over the past year.
The home only has one direct neighbour and is surrounded by dense bushland. Picture: realestate.com.au
But not everyone sees this property's landsize as appealing, said Mr Simpson.
"Some turn up and don't realise it has all that land and when you tell them, they say 'oh no, we don't want that'."
For one, you can't actually use the land for anything.
Beyond the home's 1,350sqm of cleared, R2 Low Density Residential land lies C2 Conservation zoning — ensuring the natural bushland backdrop will provide privacy and a serenity for years to come.
"It's a densely vegetated wetland. There's not a lot you can do with it other than look at it, maybe walk through it," Mr Simpson said.
"But it gives a sense of space, knowing that no one else is going to build on it or around you."
The property is currently rented for $520 per week. Picture: realestate.com.au
Owning a large flood- and fire-prone block in 2026 also means steep insurance costs. Plus, banks in NSW view properties over 2.5 hectares as higher-risk rural acreage and apply stricter lending rules.
Mr Simpson said the brick and tile home, set on a quiet, family-friendly-street, would suit buyers seeking a serene bushland setting with plenty of space to build their dream home.
"It's your typical late 70s build; a comfortable three-bedroom home. It's fairly original in its condition but the big appeal is you can add value to it. You've got so much room around the house to extend it and improve it."
The home offers comfort now, with an open-plan living and dining zone that opens to the huge, fully-fenced back yard. There's also three double bedrooms, a bathroom with a bath, plus an internal garage.
Tacoma on the NSW Central Coast has a median house price of $1.04m. Picture: realestate.com.au
Tacoma is a small, tightly-held suburb that lies peacefully next to the Wyong River before it spills into Tuggerah Lake.
Mr Simpson said there's plenty of interest in properties in the area selling for under $1m, especially among buyers from Sydney and the southern Central Coast seeking better value.
And despite the scenic backdrop, the home is just 10 minutes from Wyong train station, which zips you to central Sydney in two hours, and just 15 minutes from Westfield Tuggerah and the M1 Motorway.
"It's a good area that offers a riverside lifestyle," said Mr Simpson. "People love the easy access to the water but it's also really convenient, so it has the best of both worlds."
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