2/16 Launder Street, Hawthorn

This two-bedroom apartment has a sunny disposition that’s hard to argue with. The living room faces north, so light floods through the wide window for most of the day, while a ceiling fan keeps things breezy when the afternoon warms up and a wall heater takes the chill off in winter.

The kitchen and meals area sit just alongside, with a window over the sink framing a leafy green outlook, which is always a win. White cabinetry, an under-bench oven and a gas cooktop handle the cooking, and there’s room for a dining table as well.

Both bedrooms have built-in robes and ceiling fans, and the main bedroom faces north to share in that generous sunshine. The second works just as well as a study, a guest room or a home for the housemate who helps with the rent. The bright white bathroom has a shower over the bath, a long vanity with storage beneath, and laundry taps for the washing machine. The lock-up garage is a real bonus, though with so much within walking distance, the car can happily stay there for days.

Glenferrie Station puts the city within easy reach, and trams along Glenferrie Road and Burwood Road open up the rest of Melbourne. Swinburne University is close enough for a student to wake up late and still make a 9am lecture, while the strip’s cafés, restaurants, bookshops and grocers cover everything from the weekday coffee to the Saturday shop. Central Gardens, Grace Park and Fritsch Holzer Park are all nearby for a walk or a run, and the Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre is on hand for laps and workouts.

A smart first step onto the property ladder, a dependable investment and a well-located base for students.

We donate a portion of our fee from every property transaction to the Woodards Foundation to support people experiencing homelessness, family violence and social isolation.