There is no property in Sydney at greater premium than waterside property. And that’s saying a lot for a city where owning any property at all is an achievement. Like any harbour city though, the waterfront is where the fun begins in terms of prestige real estate.

Sydney’s waterside is home to some of Australia’s most exclusive (and fabulous) houses and apartments. This is where anything valued at up to $1 million is merely considered entry level. It is here Mercedes can be found in the garage, and yachts moored to private jetties.

Obviously not everyone has a yacht though, and maybe one or two people don’t drive prestige motor vehicles either. This applies to some of the residents living in the million dollar high rise apartments dotting the harbour shore.

At elevated levels, the obsession tends to shift from the private boat berth to the harbour views. Or rather, maintaining the panoramic vista. And it seems the main fear is not of having the view built out by another building. Far worse, the biggest worry is dirty windows that may obscure this luxurious outlook.

When I was at Sydney’s Circular Quay last week, I noticed the maintenance crew of one high rise apartment block busy at work, on the 25th floor, cleaning the windows. By abseiling! They were also washing down the walls of the building as well.

They were doing a great job as well. Not only was the building and its windows looking spick and span, but the building’s property value was also thankfully holding its own too.

Who knows, a dirty wall that no one can see on the 25th floor may make or break a realtor’s selling commission!