Sports stars who are champions at the property game

Canny sports stars have turned their success into glass, steel and timber. Explore the impressive property portfolios of Australia's sporting stars.

On the cricket field, Australian Test player Steve O’Keefe is a wily orthodox left-arm spinner. He uses subtle variations in flight and spin to try to bamboozle the world’s best batsmen. Off the field, O’Keefe also uses his guile – through buying up investment property. Rather than blowing his contract money indulging in expensive cars and a party lifestyle, the 32-year-old from Sydney has spent the past few years building an impressive portfolio of 10 properties. O’Keefe is one of a number of well-known players who have turned the profits of sporting success into glass, steel and timber. Canny, well-informed stars clearly see buying property as a solid way to secure their future beyond the playing field.

Steve O’Keefe and Michael Clarke

O’Keefe’s ex-teammate, Channel 9 commentator Michael Clarke, is obviously one former player who enjoys flicking through “property for sale” websites. The successful Test captain has bought and sold a number of properties, including a stunning five-bedroom home in Sydney’s exclusive Vaucluse, for which he paid $8.4 million in 2014. It was reported that Clarke and his designer wife Kyly were trying to sell their 93-hectare property near Berrima, in the NSW Southern Highlands, for $6.5 million in 2015. Need a home loan?UNO. The new way to get a better deal. Get Started“I’ve always loved looking for and buying property,” Clarke told the Herald Sun. “No one has gone and done it for me.”

Brett Lee’s Seaforth home (Clarke & Humel)

Another ex-cricketer who has sold property for a powerful return recently is Brett Lee. In late 2016, the former fast bowler and his wife Lana Anderson sold their luxurious four-bedroom waterfront property in Seaforth, on Sydney’s northern beaches, for $4.91 million. The sale was made just minutes before the house went to auction, showing that he still moves quickly in retirement. Starting their property portfolio early are current stars of men’s and women’s cricket – Mitchell Starc and Alyssa Healy. The 26-year-old couple recently sold their home on Sydney’s north shore for a reported $5.8 million after buying the North Curl Curl property once owned by model Jennifer Hawkins and Jake Wall for $5,235,000. Their new two-level, five-bedroom home, also on Sydney’s northern beaches, has outstanding ocean and lagoon views.

Chris Judd’s home in Prahran (McGrath St Kilda)

Savvy footy stars have also caught the property bug. Former AFL champion Chris Judd and his model wife Rebecca Judd recently sold their four-bedroom townhouse in trendy Prahran in Melbourne for what was believed to be about $2 million.

Travis Cloke’s home in Kew (Fletchers Manningham)

Current AFL star Travis Cloke also featured in the property press in 2016, having sold his four-bedroom, triple-storey property in inner-city Kew for $3.1 million and buying a home on eight hectares at Kangaroo Ground in the Yarra Valley.

Tennis court and pavilion at Lleyton Hewitt’s home in Kenthurst (Guardian Realty)

A sports star who remains active in the property game is Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt. The tennis great and his wife Bec Cartwright recently sold their spacious home at Kenthurst, in Sydney’s north, for what was believed to be $5 million. It has its own gym, tennis court and pavilion. The Hewitts also own one of Melbourne’s most impressive penthouses in St Kilda, which is spread over two floors of the Yves Tower. They bought it in 2004 for more than $8 million and, if you’re keen, it’s for sale through Sotheby’s (price on request).

Thomas Muster’s home at Noosa (Tom Offerman Real Estate)

One of Hewitt’s adversaries in the 1990s, Thomas Muster, is another who has found net gains in real estate. The Austrian former world number-one player took a shine to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, where he first bought a house in 1994. As the sun set on 2016, he sold one of his properties, a three-bedroom, three-bathroom home fronting Noosa River, for about $5.9 million.

John Alexander’s home in Putney (BresicWhitney)

Even older tennis champs have been property winners. Former Davis Cup hero and now Liberal MP John Alexander recently sold his long-time Putney home for $2.7 million. According to the Domain website, “JA” paid $1,845,000 for the four-bedroom home after winning the local seat of Bennelong at the 2010 federal election. That’s called coming up aces. Main photo: Mitchell Starc and Alyssa Healy’s home at North Curl Curl (Belle Property Manly) Book a call in with UNO

5 stars for our service reviews from clients

Book Call Now

UNO home loans

Try Plans, by UNO
Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
Considering a purchase or refinance?

Try Plans by UNO

Mortgage calculators completely reimagined
Get Started
☎ đŸš« No cold call promise

Related Articles

TESTIMONIALS

What our customers are saying

Mark
January 10, 2025
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
We were recently approved for finance with Scott Wilkinson at UNO Home Loams. Scott was friendly and professional the whole way through the process and obtained the finance for us when many others had said they wouldn’t be able to. Thanks to Scott we were able to get everything done and settled in quite a short amount of time considering the complexity of the deal. We knew where we stood the whole way and no details were hidden or forgotten . Thanks Scott you are highly recommended by myself and my Wife.
Read more
Lise Ioane
December 30, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul Davey and the team were amazing! As Kiwi's who have moved to Australia I wanted to use someone back home or who had experience with helping FHB in Australia. Paul answered all of our questions in a timely manner and helped us to secure the home loan and move into our new home. We had a few meetings with Paul and he did all the the work so us, we just filled in the required paperwork and he and the team did the rest. We dealt with Dalby for the last part of the process and he was also amazing! Highly recommend Paul and the team! Thanks Paul, Dalby and the team and UNO Home Loans.
Read more
Neil Venkataramiah
December 20, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons: Working with Mike was amazing. My wife and I were a couple from Sydney that had a 7 year stint overseas. On moving back, our loan had gone from Interest Only to Principal and Interest. The challenge: to get 2 recently re-patriated Aussies on an Interest Only loan. With only 1 year of Oz financials. And with income from an overseas company. We had equity in our property, but the ability to service was the issue. A very tough brief. Step in Mike. He contacted all his lenders, knowing that this was a unique situation. He never let up and followed through with calls and whatsapps at every stage of the process. We simply could not have got our Interest Only loan if it wasn’t for Mike. I highly recommend Mike for any loan or re-finance that you’re looking at. His attention to detail and ability to find creative solutions is second to none. And most importantly - he's a good guy that will guide you through the whole process in what can be a stressful time. Steph and Neil
Read more
Philip Smith
December 20, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons provided my wife and I outstanding service for our home loan. I have never dealt with someone who is so helpful and goes the extra mile and provides such excellent service the way Mike did. Highly recommend Mike as your broker for all investment/home loans you won’t be disappointed.
Read more
Gemma Smith
December 19, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons was truly amazing when he organized our home loan. He offered service that far exceeded my expectations. He was on top of everything and was very organised. He has a true “do it now” attitude and ensured everything ran smoothly. He went above and beyond to make sure everything was in place. He was always contactable (even when he was on holidays!). Keeping us up to date at every step and his communication was great! Would VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND Mike!
Read more
Stéphane Aumont
December 19, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Highly recommend Mike - great service, very responsive and helped us through the whole process from product selection, approval all the way to settlement. Mike is supported by a great team at UNO
Read more
David Thorn
December 17, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
I had a fantastic experience with UNO Home Loans. I want to personally recognise the work of Mike Parsons from UNO. Mike went above and beyond in helping me navigate and select a lender his attention to detail, knowledge of the Market, Excellent Communication skills matched by a patient and friendly personality made the whole process simple and painless. Thanks Mike and thanks UNO
Read more
Sean O'Neill
November 14, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
We received excellent service and a tailored solution to our home loan requirements from Uno. Paul kept us informed at all milestone stages and throughout the process he demonstrated a ‘can do’ attitude that ultimately allowed us to get over the line and meet our deadline. We’re most grateful and very impressed. Highly recommend
Read more
Kathryn Cretney
November 14, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul helped us from day one before we even arrived in Australia so we knew exactly what we needed to prepare. He’s got a tonne of knowledge and was really lovely and supportive to deal with. Helpful and easy going. Would highly recommend - now in our first Aussie home and Paul made the process all very easy!
Read more
Crush Huston
November 8, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Paul is an amazing broker. Communicative, responsive and knows his stuff! Highly recommend
Read more
Amanda Pearce
November 7, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
After just four months in Australia, our New Zealand home sold, prompting us to stop renting and invest locally. We found Paul through a Kiwi Facebook group, and his exceptional service exceeded our expectations. From initial contact, Paul provided clear explanations, friendly communication, and prompt responses to our queries, making our mortgage process remarkably smooth. We highly recommend him.
Read more
Dom Saric
November 3, 2024
5 stars for our service reviews from clients
Mike Parsons went above and beyond to ensure that our refinancing journey was painless and successful. He was communicative, accessible (even working while on holidays!), and his knowledge of the systems at play meant that he picked up on things that other brokers missed. Would 100% recommend Mike, and will definitely be back next time we need a broker.
Read more