From Jennifer Hawkins' big win to Russell Crowe's $45million struggle and Lleyton Hewitt's failed sale: The celebrity property hits and misses of 2024

Australia's biggest stars – from Hollywood heavyweights to sporting legends – have made significant moves in the property market this year, with mixed results.

While some cashed in on booming sales, others faced challenges amid a cooling housing market.

Several stars made impressive profits, with Isla Fisher, Sophie Monk and Daniel Johns among those securing solid returns on their investments.

Actress Isla made over a whopping $750,000 profit on an investment property she sold in Sydney.

However, others including Russell Crowe and Ian Thorpe, struggled to sell. 

The Winners: Celebrities Who Cashed In

Isla Fisher:

The Now You See Me star, who separated from comedian Sacha Baron Cohen earlier this year, sold her Woollahra apartment for $930,000.

Fisher originally purchased the unit for just $171,500 in 1995 during her early Home and Away days.

The charming 1930s property, initially listed with a $1 million guide, found a buyer after being pulled from its September auction.

Jennifer Hawkins:

Former Miss Universe and Myer ambassador continued to trim her once-extensive investment portfolio, selling a three-bedroom property in Minmi, Lake Macquarie, for $840,000—right in line with the price guide.

Hawkins originally purchased the 664sqm property in 2008 for $345,000, shortly after landing her $4million deal with Myer. 

This sale follows several others from the supermodel, including homes in Curl Curl, Whale Beach, Newport, and Newcastle's Merewether.

Sophie Monk:

The Love Island Australia host sold a five-bedroom, three-bathroom home in Helensvale, the Gold Coast suburb where she grew up.

The riverfront property, set on a sprawling 4,018 sqm in the coveted Riverdowns Estate, fetched $1.76 million just a month after hitting the market.

Built in the late 1990s, the renovated property has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a boat ramp with direct river access.

The kitchen also overlooks the outdoor alfresco area and large swimming pool. 

The Helensvale property was vacated by tenants who rented the home for $1,200 per week.

Sophie still owns a Mermaid Beach unit that she purchased for $165,000 in 2003.

In 2020, she also purchased a $2.25million luxurious Hamptons inspired acreage on the NSW Central Coast.

Daniel Johns:

The former Silverchair frontman parted ways with his four-bedroom Newcastle home near Merewether Beach, selling it for $2.75 million.

Daniel purchased the property as a teenager in 1996 for $360,000, marking a significant return despite a slight shortfall from the $2.9million guide.

Johns bought the house in 1996 shortly after his 17th birthday, after signing a three album deal with his band in 1994.

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom home is located in the beachside suburb of Merewether, over 2 hours north of Sydney.

It boasts multiple sprawling living spaces and a large attic space for an extra room. 

The property is surprisingly understated for a celebrity home with a simple backyard and spacious rooms as the selling points.

It was the first investment property for Johns who splashed out $645,000 on another Merewether home a few months later.

The Setbacks: Unsold Listings and Price Cuts

Russell Crowe:

The Oscar-winning actor's luxurious Woolloomooloo apartment remains unsold, despite whispers of a $42–$45million price tag.

Crowe, who purchased the Finger Wharf property for $14.35million in 2003, reportedly sought assistance from McGrath Double Bay agents Will Manning and Luke Hogan to secure an off-market deal.

Situated on Finger Wharf in upscale Woolloomooloo, just 2km from the CBD, Crowe's apartment occupies an entire floor of an exclusive building. 

Sources say that Crowe has not renovated the apartment since he bought it for $14.35 million in 2003.

The impressive property spans 1,000sqm and was initially designed to accommodate four separate private apartments.

Featuring 11 bedrooms, it is situated on the forth floor of the exclusive Finger Wharf development.

Ian Thorpe:

Swimming icon Ian Thorpe faced another disappointing year in the property market, relisting his Woollahra apartment after it failed to sell at auction last year.

The home, with an initial guide of $3.5million, was later reduced to $3million but still failed to attract a buyer. 

Ian bought the property for $2.75million in 2017, and is now hoping for an almost $1million profit.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, letting agent Courtney Wong said the five-time Olympic gold medalist is selling the property as he plans to downsize.

Courtney said that the house is 'the best one in the building' of six complexes, as it's situated at the back away from the street.

'It's completely private and secluded,' he added.

Despite the property's $3.7million price tag, the letting agent said the unit is a perfect 'stepping stone' for someone who can't afford a house.

Lleyton and Bec Hewitt:

The tennis legend and his actress wife, Bec, were unable to sell their $4.3million Burleigh Heads mansion, leaving the coastal home on the market following an unsuccessful auction. 

The sprawling four-bedroom, three-bathroom property is located in one of Queensland's most sought-after postcodes, where the average house is valued at over $5million.

Listing agent Carol Carter from Queensland Sotheby's International Realty had teased that there was interest from overseas buyers ahead of the auction in October.

She said there had been a lot of interest in the high-profile property, including from buyers from Germany and the United Kingdom.

'We have had a lot of interest but it is difficult to get a read on it as people tend to keep things close to their chest,' Carol told realestate.com.au. 

Situated on a 539sqm block, the gorgeous property boasts three sprawling ensuite bedrooms on the upper level, including a luxurious master suite.

The palatial master suite features its own skylight and includes a free standing stone bath and inbuilt heating, giving it some unique luxury touches.

Rebel Wilson:

Pitch Perfect star Rebel withdrew her former Balmain residence from auction after a lacklustre market response.

The $2.3million unit, in a historic soap factory-turned-apartment, is now listed for rent at $1,200 per week.

It's unclear when or if Rebel intends to put the luxury pad up for auction again, though it seems she may have pulled it on the advice of her real estate agent.  

Rebel listed her long-held property for sale earlier this year with an asking price of $2.3million after purchasing it off the plan for $1.88million in 2015.

Spreading out over two levels, the 'house-like' apartment boasts 130sqm of space with two balconies and a rooftop terrace off the upper level kitchen.

With stunning views of the CBD skyline and Anzac bridge, the cooking space features Carrara quartz stone benchtops and a luxurious breakfast bar.

Two bedrooms and a study space fill out the entry level of the unit, with the master bedroom boasting a sprawling walk-in robe and en suite. 

EV drivers will be thrilled to find a charging station installed in the double security parking garage of the building.