.
ON ON
To o w o o m b a & D a r l i n g D o w n s AUGUST 31, 2018
LATEST NEWS
TOOWOOMBA’S PRESTIGE PROPERTIES SET THE BAR
PROPERTY LADDER STRATEGIES ON HOW TO GET THERE
HUNTING A PROFIT? START THINKING LIKE A SHARE INVESTOR
GREAT IMPRESSIONS PROVEN TACTICS TO MAKE YOUR HOME SELL
A BUYER’S GUIDE
SUBURB PROFILES
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE ROUND-UP OF SUBURBS INCLUDING THE LATEST STATISTICS
BUYING AT AUCTION ADVICE ON SNAPPING UP YOUR DREAM HOME
CONTENTS Market Review.......................................3 Prestige Property ..................................4 Buying strategy .....................................6 Shore up investment.............................7 Make a difference .................................8 Fall of the hammer................................9 Your property’s worth .........................10 Blue Mountain Heights..........................11 Centenary Heights................................12 Charlton ................................................13 Darling Heights.....................................14 East Toowoomba..................................16 East Toowoomba ..................................17 Glenvale................................................18 Cotswold Hills.......................................19 Harlaxton/Rockville ............................20 Harristown ............................................21 Middle Ridge .......................................22 Middle Ridge .......................................23 Newtown.............................................24 Newtown .............................................25 Mt Lofty...............................................26 Mt Lofty ...............................................27 Kearneys Spring ..................................28 North Toowoomba..............................29 Rangeville............................................30 Rangeville..............................................31 South Toowoomba ..............................32 South Toowoomba ..............................33 Prince Henry Heights..........................34 Toowoomba City .................................35 Torrington............................................36 Wilsonton.............................................37 Withcott ..............................................38 Highfields ............................................39 Meringandan/Kleinton .......................40 Hodgson Vale .......................................41 Westbrook ...........................................42 Clifton ..................................................43 Cambooya ...........................................44 Wyreema .............................................45 Crows Nest..........................................46 Warwick ...............................................47
Editor
Darren Burton darren.burton@the chronicle.com.au (07) 4690 9319
Advertising Manager
Deb Hanfeld deb.hanfeld@the chronicle.com.au (07) 4690 9310
Published by: Toowoomba Newspapers Pty Ltd (ACN 009 820 035) at 109 Neil St, Toowoomba QLD 4350 and printed by News Corp Australia. Publishers Indemnity: Sold On is published by Toowoomba Newspapers. Those who make advertising placement and/or supply copy material or editorial submissions undertake to ensure that all such materials do not infringe the Trade Practices Act or other laws, regulations or statues. Further to the above mentioned, these persons agree to indemnity the publishers and/or it s agents against any investigations, claims or judgements.
ON THE COVER: 11 Bridge St, Mount Lofty Sold by Peter Snow & Co
PRICED TO SELL: The sales are still there and there are bargains to be had in the Toowoomba market.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Market slowdown offers countless opportunities EDITOR’S NOTE THE property naysayers will wring their hands and tell you the Toowoomba region is currently at the bottom of the market; the more optimistic will tell you… the Toowoomba region is currently at the bottom of the market, but... Depending on which camp you belong to, Toowoomba’s current position could be perceived as an opportunity or an anchor. A bricks-and-mortar blessing or a correction curse. However, there is nothing new to a market adjustment because peaks and troughs are an inevitable part of the real estate game – and they come with regularity. Each pocket across the nation experiences
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its highs and lows, and currently, it’s Toowoomba’s turn to weather a market slowdown. But the tap is far from being turned off. Agents are still achieving good sales, new houses and units are still being built and new land developments are still coming to market. Most definitely prices have temporarily slowed (in some cases, even retreated) making real estate in the region even more attractive. However, it’s far from Armageddon. CoreLogic data shows Toowoomba and the region has still experienced some excellent growth across many of its suburbs since last year with Cabarlah recording a 27.7 per cent rise in median sale price, Mount Lofty 11 per cent and Harlaxton 10.1 per cent, to name a few. Outside of the city, healthy gains have also occurred in Yarraman at 30 per cent, Crows
Up to
Nest at 18.1 per cent and Pittsworth 12.2 per cent. And yes, there have been some falls – but, therein lies the value. Nationally, Toowoomba property is seen by most market analysts as a blue-chip stock – making buying in the region a must for anyone looking at a quality investment with growth potential. The current market is an opportunity to secure an incredible lifestyle at a very attractive price. Toowoomba (and its surrounds) offers buyers, and renters, an affordable choice of homes with an unequalled family friendly environment to match. With a constant influx of new residents and investors to town or local owners continually upgrading their living arrangements, the region will continue to flourish.
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MARKET REVIEW
Outside influences affect region
Drought and tighter loan policies have contributed to the cooling of the property sector – but there’s good things on the horizon DESPITE the Toowoomba region’s real estate market currently sitting in a “correction phase”, REIQ Darling Downs zone chairman David Snow (pictured) believes some decent rain and the completion of the region’s major infrastructure projects will soon have us back on track. “I think one of our biggest issues at the moment is the drought,” Mr Snow said. “It’s long been accepted that, as a region, we benefit directly from good times in the west and, with the current struggles our farmers are facing, we all share in their hardships. “That has a direct flow-on effect because there are a lot of service industries in the area that rely on the rural sector.” Mr Snow said it was understandable that major purchases like property would get “put on hold” if dollars were tight. Like the much-needed rain, Mr Snow said there were many factors we didn’t have control over that were affecting our market at the moment. He said tighter loan policies from banks and lending institutions had also contributed to a cooling in the property sector. “It’s definitely more difficult to buy,” he said. “Since the banking inquiry, lenders are needing to establish a process for transparency, which will certainly have an impact on what buyers will be able to do. Changes to the first home buyers grant have also had a bearing.” But he was confident sales would soon rebound, especially as major works like the Second Range Crossing were finalised. “When the Second Range Crossing is completed, it will take an enormous amount of trucks and general traffic off our roads, leading to a better way of life for all Toowoomba residents as well as creating a direct corridor to Ipswich, Brisbane and the coasts,” Mr Snow said. “People are prepared to work farther away from home these days and a quicker commute to the major cities will definitely be favourably looked upon. It’s not going to be the deterrent it once was because you’re getting there faster and you can still do business on your mobile as you drive (hands-free, of course). “What it does allow is for families to stay in the area and the children to go to school in one of our quality educational facilities. It’s 10 minutes to drop them off and pick them up, instead of an hour battling traffic in Brisbane each morning and afternoon. Those things are very important when it comes to quality of life. “Further to that, the cost of living here in the Toowoomba region is so much less, so the appeal of the area will be even more enhanced by these infrastructure changes.” As such, Mr Snow strongly believed we should be playing to our strengths. “We tell the world we’re the Garden City – we can’t lose sight of that unique branding we
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enjoy,” he said. “We need to plant more trees. We need to be making 50-year/100-year decisions now, so future residents can walk and drive down magnificent tree-lined streets that further enhance our reputation as an aesthetically pleasing city. “I applaud the foresight and anticipation of developers who are incorporating green spaces into their projects – they, with the support of council, need to leave a long-term legacy for future residents.” With major building works scattered throughout the city, Mr Snow points to the ongoing development of retirement villas as an example of Toowoomba’s forward planning to best cater for a growing, and ageing, population. “I think the amenities that have been created (and are currently under construction) are wonderful additions to the area,” he said. “Many are individual homes in their own right, yet they come with incredible communal services and facilities. “The comforts of home are there. Their friends are there. It’s a very attractive option for our older residents.” Real estate slowdowns come and go and Mr Snow saw an inevitable growth in the region – citing the popularity of the Blue Mountain Heights area and Highfields as great examples. “We’re expanding north and south – Toowoomba itself is expanding and we, as a community, need to have a discussion about the city we want to become,” he said. “There’s been gentrification in Harlaxton and I feel areas like Westbrook will also blossom but we need quality public transport to support these population increases. “That’s where council can play its part by making these communities more integrated through infrastructure and well-planned (and released) land developments.”
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MARKET REVIEW
Prestige property sales bouyant Multi-million dollar residences help enhance the quality lifestyle available in the Toowoomba region PROPERTY sales for more than a million dollars are no longer unusual in Toowoomba with a substantial number of big ticket deals racked up already this year. According to CoreLogic figures, 71 residential or farming properties sold for $1 million or more in the first six months of this year. Many regional property markets were continuing to outperform capital cities, with new figures revealing a lift in million-dollar property deals in the past year. New analysis by CoreLogic found in the combined regional markets 4.7 per cent of all houses sold for at least $1 million compared with 4.3 per cent the previous year. At the same time 4 per cent of all units sold in the past year were for at least $1 million. This was a record-high for the unit market, up from 3.7 per cent the previous year. CoreLogic analyst Cameron Kusher said regional areas had been outperforming the capital cities in the past 12 months. “So, I think it is not really too much of a surprise, that you are seeing the share of million-dollar property sales in those regional markets higher than they were a year ago.”
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Mr Kusher said even though property markets in regional Australia were outperforming capital cities, it was slowing. “So I wouldn’t be surprised if we actually see a lower share (of million-dollar sales) in 12 months’ time in those regional areas.” Mr Kusher said the million-dollar regional market had been driven in part by buyers from Sydney and Melbourne who had made a lot of money on their property and had made lifestyle purchases in the regions. Million-dollar plus sales within the Toowoomba area already this year include a property at 7 Bridge St, Mount Lofty which changed hands for $2.9 million in February. According to CoreLogic the home has four-bedrooms and is on 7446sq m of land. East Toowoomba had a high number of million dollar plus sales in the first six months of the year, including a house at Mayes Street, on 2061sq m of land which sold in January for $1.9 million. Other million-dollar plus sales in East Toowoomba included a house in Campbell Street for $1.45 million, another at Sinclair Street for $1.335 million and Curtis Street for $1.302 million.
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MARKET REVIEW
Savings, strategy key to buying
First-home buyers should speak to industry professionals and do as much research as possible before leaping into a purchase
PHOTO: JACOBLUND
CAN BE DONE: First-time home buyers need a strategy.
By CASSANDRA CHARLESWORTH
GETTING on to the property ladder may not be as affordable as a generation ago, but for those committed to stepping on to the first rung, it’s all about savings and strategy. This is the message from Mortgage Choice CEO Susan Mitchell (pictured right), who said the first step any prospective buyer should take was to work out exactly how much they could borrow. “Buying property is likely to be the most significant financial commitment most people will make,’’ she said. “As such, first-time buyers should do as much research as possible and speak to qualified professionals before jumping in with both feet. “To start, first-time buyers should speak to their local mortgage broker in order to identify their borrowing power. “Knowing how much you can afford to borrow will give you a guide to what type of property you can afford and where you can afford to buy.”
The deposit
Regardless of the type of property, all lenders require a deposit and expect to see proof that a home buyer can save. A standard deposit is 20 per cent of the property price, but in some cases that figure could be less. The key thing to remember is the greater the deposit you have, the less you need to borrow. “There are options available to those who do not have a 20 per cent deposit, with lenders on the market offering loans to those who have 10 per cent deposit or less,” Ms Mitchell said. “Those with smaller deposits may have to pay lender’s mortgage insurance which is a one-off fee that protects the lender in the event the borrower defaults on their loan. “Alternatively, first-home buyers may choose to ask a family member to go guarantor on their loan. A guarantor is a third party who can provide additional security to help a family member buy their own home.” First-home buyers may also be eligible for a
range of incentives including a first home buyer’s grant and/or stamp duty concession, which go towards making a first home purchase more accessible.
Additional costs
Buyers should be aware it’s not just the deposit they will need to cough up. Additional fees include stamp duty, pest and building inspections, insurance, conveyancing or solicitor’s fees, and moving expenses, all of which add up. So, between the deposit and additional costs, how do you save such a significant sum?
A savings strategy
According to Ms Mitchell, saving for a first home does not mean forgoing all your favourite things but rather prioritising what is important. “First-time buyers need to prepare a budget and start a disciplined savings strategy which
can demonstrate to lenders that they can service a loan,” she said. “To start, create a budget that includes all your incomings and outgoings and a define a savings plan with realistic goals. “You should aim to review your budget regularly and stick to it. Monitor your discretionary spending and avoid reaching for your credit cards where possible.”
Think outside the box
Meanwhile, the location of the property affects affordability, and first-time buyers may not be able to afford to buy in the suburb where they wish to live. This has given rise to a trend called “rentvesting” where first-home buyers buy a property in a more affordable suburb and then rent it out as an investment. “It could give first-time buyers the chance to get their foot in the property market without having to sacrifice on their lifestyle,” Ms Mitchell said.
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MARKET REVIEW
Shore up your investment Regional areas can offer affordability and better future prospects for your portfolio By CASSANDRA CHARLESWORTH
WANT to buy an investment property but not sure where to start? Stop viewing it as bricks and mortar and start thinking in cold hard financial terms. That’s the key tip from buyers’ agent and Propertyology managing director Simon Pressley. Mr Pressley said the critical mistake many would-be investors made was failing to distinguish the purpose of what they were trying to achieve. “Investors need to look at the Australian property market as the equivalent of the stock exchange and think like a share investor rather than a property buyer,” he said. “That means they need to understand what influences prices, and what’s likely to offer a good return.” Features versus benefits and drivers Yes, a property might have features like proximity to public transport, medical facilities and schools, but what is driving growth and ongoing confidence in the area? “It’s really important to have information not just about a property and market statistics but to also conduct economic analysis,” Mr Pressley said. “Property is a commodity, it is shelter. Wherever there are more jobs, more shelter is required.” Mr Pressley suggested looking at key indicators such as industries and employers in the area, along with government initiatives which affected the economic outlook of a region now and in the future. CRITICAL EYE: Look beyond the bricks and mortar when buying an investment property. Essential elements property markets go up and down, and they chance a major item like a hot water system, to watch for include economic growth, an will continue to in the future,” Mr Pressley stove or air-conditioner will need replacement. on Propertyology’s Sim affordable median stressed. “Ensuring your investment is affordable and N JE O: OT PH Pressley. “If you’re investing, ensure you do so within your means is key to being ‘safe’.” house price and C AL AR DAINER/INDUSTRI within your means. You need to stay within Due diligence controlled supply of future housing. your household budget and stress-test it. While affordability is critical, due diligence Critically, that meant investors should look Factor in getting only 48 weeks rent, not 52, is also imperative, and that means seeking a look at today’s interest rate and then add four property that is structurally sound. beyond their own backyard. interest rate rises. “Being structurally sound and low “A capital city doesn’t mean blue chip. Parts of regional Australia have much better future “It’s also wise to know your ongoing holding maintenance has nothing to do with prospects and current affordability. If you costs like council rates, body corporate fees, appearance. It might look pretty, but if the repairs and maintenance. Account for between workmanship beneath the surface is poor, it’s close your mind to regional areas you could be $500 and $1000 in repair and maintenance going to cost you. Call in the professionals to missing future opportunity.” Focus on affordability expenses during a normal year for basics, but ensure it’s structurally sound.” “Every investor needs to understand all be mindful over three to five years there’s a As for investments to avoid, Mr Pressley
PHOTO: COURTNEYK
said everyday investors should leave developing to the professionals. “Developing requires different skills to buying an established property,” he said. Meanwhile, he also suggests investors be wary of large-scale apartment complexes. “Whether you buy a house or an apartment it is an important decision and whether it’s the right one varies from location to location,” Mr Pressley said. “Avoid big complexes of 30 apartments or more because body corporate fees are higher and when it comes time to sell, you can almost be guaranteed another apartment in your complex will also be on the market.”
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MARKET REVIEW
Little touches can make a big difference By CASSANDRA CHARLESWORTH
WHETHER a property is your first home, family home, or an investment unit, when it comes time to sell, the little things all add up to attract the highest possible price. “Getting a good price for your property starts with making a great first impression,” according to Erin Demmery of Universal Buyer’s Agents. “It’s all about making sure the feel of the home is welcoming so people can visualise themselves in that space.”
A great impression
Each week Ms Demmery and her team inspect up to 50 properties in their role as buyers’ agents, and she said an interested buyer would usually look at a property at least twice. “The first time it’s all about presentation, the second time they take a deeper look,” she said. Quick and easy tips for making that all-important positive first impression include tidying the garden, and a fresh coat of paint. “It’s about the wow factor,” Ms Demmery said. “The home should feel warm and inviting, light, bright and spacious. “Consider having it styled and painted throughout, and put extra items in storage if you need to. Before every inspection ensure things look perfect.” Meanwhile, vendors should view their property with a critical eye, looking for potential problems that might put a buyer off. “If people see issues like cracks in the ceiling or walls they think something must be wrong,” she said.
To renovate or not?
FIRST IMPRESSION: Take the time to make the little things count when preparing your home for sale. PHOTO: ISTOCK
When it comes to the question of renovating before sale, Ms Demmery said vendors needed to carefully consider both their budget and the market. “You could look at doing the bathroom or kitchen or just freshening the property. The key is not to overcapitalise. You have to think about what buyers in your market are going to want,” she said. “Having more than one bathroom could be particularly important in a family home. Look at the floor plan to see if a second bathroom is
feasible or consider alternatives like a separate toilet. “If you have enough budget, these items can increase the value. If not, make it look as best you can by painting and tidying. We always have buyers wanting to put their own stamp on a property.”
Pest and building
Ms Demmery said vendors might also consider having their own pest and building inspection undertaken before putting a property on the market. “Building and pest inspections can give you an insight into what may be wrong with a property before it goes up for sale. Then you have the option of having a problem fixed, or at least understand how it might impact the price,” she said.
Best marketing
If you’re wondering how to market your property, Ms Demmery said the obvious choice was real estate websites, but social media and print also had a role. “People are always looking on social media, and properties with a wow factor lend themselves to print,” she said. “Print reaches a larger group and different generations, and people want to look at beautiful properties. “But you probably wouldn’t put a $300,000 house in the newspaper, unless it’s a regional area. “When picking an agent, always look at the different marketing strategies they offer.”
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MARKET REVIEW
Don’t be afraid of fall of hammer Buyers and sellers should not be daunted by auctions – it can be the most transparent way to sell or buy property
By MICHELLE HELE
WHILE the inexperienced may be hesitant, buying and selling at auction can be the most transparent way of participating in the property market. Auctioneer Haesley Cush of Ray White said it allowed buyers to see their competition and know what others were prepared to pay, and it also allowed sellers to get a real time idea of what buyers thought their home was worth. Mr Cush said his best advice to those thinking of selling or buying at auction was to attend as many auctions as they could to see how it all worked.
If you are buying at auction
Register in the name which is going on the contract. It seems obvious right? But some buyers have come unstuck. “You must know the entity you are buying the property in. Is it your name, your partner’s name, is it a trust fund? ‘’ Mr Cush said. “Take your driver’s licence or passport when registering and if you were keen to bid, it was a good idea to register before the auction day, so nothing was left to chance. “One of the other most important things to do on auction day was to make sure you were ready to pay the deposit if you were the successful bidder. “You need the deposit at the auction. “Unless the owner allows for something different the standard terms of an auction call for a 10 per cent deposit, on the day. “Almost every modern auction accepts a five per cent to 10 per cent deposit, but this is at the seller’s discretion and will be announced to potential buyers on the day.’’ As few people still had personal cheque books, Mr Cush said it was important to work out beforehand how you would pay the deposit. Some sellers may allow funds to be transferred within 48 hours, or they may set a dollar amount which they can submit as a bank cheque, but this needs to be nutted out before the bidding starts. As do any other variations including longer settlement periods. It is too late once bidding gets under way. And if you can’t make it on auction day someone else can bid on your behalf as long as they have a written letter stating that they can sign a contract on your behalf – that is a power of attorney or bidding authority. “I’ve found a few buyers of late seem to have a limited understanding of auctions and subsequently are turning up yet planning on
PHOTO: MONKEYBUSINESSIMAGES
TOP BID: Go to as many auctions as you can to find out how they work before you place a bid.
not participating,” Mr Cush said. “However by not bidding and letting the property pass in this has only led to a far more competitive and uncomfortable situation straight after the auction as they enter a closed door negotiation or what is commonly referred to as a Dutch auction. “These negotiations see all buyers given one chance to submit their best offer without any idea of their competitors’ price or even the number of other offers. “It really amazes me when people turn up to an auction with a pre-approval from the bank, have inspected the property a number of times and have a game to buy the property that falls into line with ‘I’m not bidding, I’m just gonna watch and see’. “Mostly these buyers are just ignorant about auctions.
“They are nervous about the unknown and don’t want to pay too much. “But usually it only takes a minute to remind them of the reasons as to why they should participate, all in line with what I’ve listed above and they usually warm into the bidding.”
If you are selling at auction
Mr Cush said one of the most important things to take into account when going to auction was to choose the right auction agent. “Auctions are a specialist way of selling real estate. There is no price, the contracts are unconditional and working with buyers to prepare them to bid takes expert precision,’’ he said. He said generally for a seller the campaign was short and sharp, four weeks.
The campaign gave buyers a deadline to make a decision and could stop the selling process dragging on. There may be offers made before auction and sellers needed to weigh up whether they wanted to accept those nor not, but they could still accept pre-auction bids under auction conditions, that is no finance or building and pest clauses.
A couple of other things to keep in mind
If you are the successful bidder, you are the buyer. That means you need to pay the deposit. You cannot add in a finance clause or building and pest inspection into the contract. These things need to be done before auction day.
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WHAT’S YOUR PROPERTY WORTH Suburb
Property Type
Median Sale Price (12 months)
Change in Median Price (12 months)
Change in Median Price (past 3 months)
Change in Median Price (3 years)
Change in Median Price (5 years)
BLUE MOUNTAIN HEIGHTS
H
$585,000
-5.6%
5.4%
19.4%
25.1%
CABARLAH
H
$652,500
27.7%
17.6%
18.6%
52.6%
CAMBOOYA
H
$326,000
6.5%
6.2%
12.4%
43.6%
CENTENARY HEIGHTS
H
$375,000
2.5%
0.0%
4.3%
18.7%
CENTENARY HEIGHTS
U
$330,000
-10.2%
-1.5%
27.4%
3.3%
CLIFTON
H
$220,000
-2.2%
2.3%
18.6%
-2.2%
COTSWOLD HILLS
H
$615,000
7.0%
-1.1%
9.8%
13.9%
CROWS NEST
H
$319,000
18.1%
3.1%
16.0%
25.1%
DARLING HEIGHTS
H
$345,250
1.5%
-0.1%
-1.4%
12.1%
DRAYTON
H
$382,500
4.8%
-4.1%
-7.8%
22.8%
EAST TOOWOOMBA
H
$472,500
-4.5%
-2.1%
7.4%
31.3%
EAST TOOWOOMBA
U
$330,000
6.5%
10.0%
-12.7%
40.7%
GLENVALE
H
$367,000
-2.3%
-0.1%
-6.4%
4.9%
GLENVALE
U
$305,000
0.0%
n.a.
-0.8%
-3.2%
GOOMBUNGEE
H
$255,000
-1.9%
1.0%
0.0%
25.9%
GOWRIE JUNCTION
H
$465,750
8.6%
0.2%
13.0%
18.5%
GREENMOUNT
H
$252,500
1.0%
n.a.
-13.5%
n.a.
HAMPTON
H
$465,000
10.4%
1.1%
n.a.
n.a.
HARLAXTON
H
$289,000
10.1%
-0.5%
2.3%
15.6%
HARRISTOWN
H
$300,000
-5.8%
-4.8%
-6.0%
13.3%
HARRISTOWN
U
$305,000
5.6%
0.8%
30.1%
63.5%
HIGHFIELDS
H
$525,000
2.9%
0.2%
2.9%
18.8%
HIGHFIELDS
U
$331,000
-15.7%
-14.0%
0.3%
10.3%
HODGSON VALE
H
$595,000
-3.3%
-11.2%
4.8%
19.3%
KEARNEYS SPRING
H
$397,500
3.0%
2.6%
4.6%
18.0%
KEARNEYS SPRING
U
$294,500
3.3%
0.2%
-0.2%
14.3%
KINGSTHORPE
H
$327,000
-0.9%
-0.3%
4.6%
24.8%
KLEINTON
H
$516,250
-1.7%
2.2%
3.3%
20.6%
MERINGANDAN WEST
H
$427,500
6.5%
1.5%
5.6%
29.5%
MIDDLE RIDGE
H
$542,500
1.0%
1.4%
4.3%
15.4%
MIDDLE RIDGE
U
$378,950
22.2%
-7.3%
-7.0%
25.1%
MILLMERRAN
H
$186,500
-22.3%
-11.2%
-6.8%
8.7%
MOUNT LOFTY
H
$499,500
11.0%
9.8%
13.0%
48.6%
MOUNT LOFTY
U
$512,500
28.3%
7.1%
46.4%
158.2%
NEWTOWN
H
$300,000
-3.2%
0.0%
-1.8%
17.6%
NEWTOWN
U
$239,000
-21.1%
-13.1%
-11.8%
1.1%
NORTH TOOWOOMBA
H
$303,000
-0.7%
1.0%
-4.3%
11.2%
OAKEY
H
$255,000
4.1%
2.0%
6.7%
21.4%
PITTSWORTH
H
$330,000
12.2%
2.2%
16.4%
17.9%
PRESTON
H
$639,501
n.a.
-12.5%
17.3%
n.a.
RANGEVILLE
H
$440,000
1.1%
0.0%
1.1%
19.9%
RANGEVILLE
U
$325,000
-8.1%
-8.5%
-6.1%
11.5%
ROCKVILLE
H
$280,000
1.8%
1.8%
0.0%
13.6%
SOUTH TOOWOOMBA
H
$332,500
0.8%
2.0%
2.3%
23.1%
SOUTH TOOWOOMBA
U
$313,500
-4.7%
-1.3%
2.1%
30.9%
TOOWOOMBA CITY
H
$343,500
-8.4%
-0.4%
3.4%
27.2%
TOOWOOMBA CITY
U
$306,000
20.2%
17.2%
26.4%
-11.1%
TOP CAMP
H
$546,000
16.9%
4.0%
-2.1%
25.5%
TORRINGTON
H
$527,500
-8.1%
-4.2%
10.5%
17.2%
WESTBROOK
H
$444,000
-5.5%
-2.4%
-2.4%
8.8%
WILSONTON
H
$323,500
6.8%
1.4%
2.7%
16.8%
WILSONTON
U
$285,000
-1.4%
-0.7%
8.0%
20.3%
WILSONTON HEIGHTS
H
$270,000
-3.6%
1.9%
-6.9%
2.7%
WYREEMA
H
$335,000
5.7%
n.a.
-3.9%
13.6%
YARRAMAN
H
$195,000
30.0%
n.a.
23.0%
25.8%
Page 10
SOURCE: CoreLogic
suburb profile | Blue Mountain Heights
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$585,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... 5.4%
12 months ................................ -5.6%
3 years ..................................... 19.4% 5 years ..................................... 25.1% Annually (10 years) ................... 2.3% March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
55 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
10.5 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
Tranquillity will return you to nature BLUE Mountain Heights continues to be one of Toowoomba’s more popular suburbs, ideally located just 7 kilometres north of the city and just a few minutes drive from a host of city amenities and parklands. The majority of the suburb is located to the east of the New England Highway and makes the best of the stunning escarpment position and views across the Lockyer Valley. Turning off Murphys Creek Road, Skyline Drive runs along a spur of the Great Dividing Range parallel to the highway. A series of cul-de-sac streets run off Skyline Drive, which forms the spine of this section of the village-like suburb – affording the properties a great sense of privacy and seclusion. The area abounds with natural fauna such as king parrots, echidna and possums and the suburb has a comfortable, established feel with tended gardens and a bush outlook. There are many architecturally designed houses from different eras and this creates a unique character for each home, with most positioned to take the spectacular views into account. The median sales price for the suburb of $585,000 is 5.6 per cent lower than it was a year ago. The vast majority of residences in the suburb, 98.9 per cent, are separate houses with the remaining 1.1 per cent made up of
n/a n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
929
Average weekly household income
$2237 Median age
47
townhouses and villas. It is 10km to Murphys Creek and a short drive to Highfields. There are no shops in the suburb which
adds to the tranquillity. Supermarkets are available in nearby Highfields or Northpoint Shopping Centre, adding convenience to peace and quiet.
Time to move?
Blue Mountain Heights | Property Insights
We have the professional market insight and sales expertise to help you achieve the highest possible price for your home. Rely on our unrivalled experience and proven expertise. Capitalise on our success. Request an obligation free market appraisal on the value of your home.
Ashley North 0427 102 620 Ashley.North@colliers.com
Indi Malloch 07 4659 7875 Indi.Malloch@colliers.com
Page 11
suburb profile | Centenary Heights
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$375,000
BUY
$330,000
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
0%
12 months ................................ 2.5%
3 years ..................................... 4.3%
5 years ..................................... 18.7% Annually (10 years) ................... 3.3%
March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
29 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
8.9 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
Glorious parklands beckon families WITH a wealth of shopping and parklands on its doorstep and only a short drive to Toowoomba’s CBD, Centenary Heights remains an incredibly popular suburb for families and investors. Primarily developed in the 1960s and 70s, Centenary Heights features a mixture of brick veneer and timber homes and, in recent years, there has been in-fill unit developments in the suburb – with a combination of multi-unit complexes and duplex units. Figures for 2018 show a median sales price of $375,000 for houses and $330,00 for units. This is an increase of 2.5 per cent for homes and a -10.2 per cent change for units. Centenary Heights is extremely popular with families because of the schooling options available, including St Thomas More’s Primary School and Centenary Heights State High School. The high school has about 1600 students from Year 7 to 12, with a socially and culturally diverse student population representative of 43 different nationalities and 60 spoken languages. Running through the centre of Centenary Heights is a series of connecting parks, adding to the appeal for families. There are multiple playgrounds and abundant walking and running paths through the parklands. Ballin Park is particularly popular with walkers and joggers; it is an
4.6% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
6063
Average weekly household income
$1179
Median age
38
attractive open recreation corridor located between Ballin and Amanda drives. It features a large spring-fed permanent pond at the north-east end on Mackenzie Street and a picnic shelter and basketball half-court. Shopping facilities include the Southtown
Shopping Centre with larger shopping centres in nearby Kearneys Spring and Rangeville. Southtown Shopping Centre features a butcher, cafe, Thai restaurant, convenience store, beauty bar, a bakery and pharmacy, as well as other specialty retailers.
Your Window Furnishings Specialists Creative Blinds Toowoomba is a family owned and operated business that specialises in indoor and outdoor blinds, awnings, screens and shutters for your home or business. We offer: Free measure and quote / No job too big or small Whole House discounts / Automation is our speciality We custom make blinds, awnings, screens and shutters to suit your style and budget Personal and reliable service from inspiration to installation and beyond Servicing Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley and Darling Downs regions WE ALSO CLEAN AND REPAIR BLINDS
To arrange a free measure and quote or to discuss your window furnishing options, please call 07 4632 1255, visit our webpage or visit our showroom just behind Joyce Mayne. 183A Perth Street, Toowoomba | www.creativeblindstoowoomba.com.au Page 12
6857025af
• • • • • •
suburb profile | Charlton Residential
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
n/a
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
n/a n/a 3 years ..................................... n/a 5 years ..................................... n/a Annually (10 years) ................... n/a 12 months ................................
March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
n/a March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
n/a
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
Charlton is the land of possibility
Discover the
Luxaflex
Difference
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
120
Average weekly household income
$1375
Median age
43
Residents of Charlton have easy access to interesting sporting hobbies, like clay target shooting and archery, as well as motor racing. In 1975, after racing at the Toowoomba Showgrounds for almost a decade, the Downs Speedway Club purchased land in and relocated to Charlton. Over the years since then, the Club has hosted over 30 Queensland Championships and over 13 Australian Championships for Sprintcars, Modified Productions, Super Sedans, Speedcars, Compacts, Solos, and Litre Sprintcars, at the Hi-Tec Oils Speedway just off the Warrego Highway.
With the official opening of a $750,000 QFES training facility in Charlton, the region’s firefighters will be better prepared to respond to all emergencies. The facility is part of a major $11 million funding injection into the region, which will see further development over the next couple of decades. Toowoomba is a major regional centre in south-east Queensland and the Toowoomba Regional Council plans to develop the area into a sporting hub, intended to service local and regional sporting needs and to attract major sporting and cultural events.
Whether you are building your new home or renovating your current home we have all the Carpet, Timber, Laminate and Vinyl flooring options you need. We have a wide range of carpet for your bedrooms, sophisticated timber for your living areas and laminate or vinyl or ceramic tiles for your kitchen and bathroom. We also have a wide range of window fashions including panel glides, roller blinds, roman blinds and shutters. Carpet One Toowoomba is a LUXAFLEX® Window Fashions agent.
Unit 12/12 Prescott Street Toowoomba
Ph: (07) 4632 2255 Mon – Fri 8am – 5pm | Sat 9am – 12.30pm https://www.carpetone.com.au/toowoomba
6857025ag
LOCATED about 13 kilometres from the Toowoomba CBD, Charlton has traditionally been a farming district, focusing predominantly on dairy farming. The 2016 Census recorded just 120 residents in the area, with a median age of 43 years, which makes Charlton a small and close-knit community. The data showed 43 private homes in the area, each housing just under three people, on average, and raking in a median household income of $1375 per week. In recent years, the dairy farms have mostly been converted to grazing and cropping holdings, and the area has seen significant development in infrastructure, particularly relating to the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing. The interchange at Charlton provides a link between western Queensland and east coast. Although Charlton has little to offer by way of shopping precincts, it does have a couple of small shops and service stations, stocked with the basic necessities. The Wilsonton Shopping Centre on Bridge Street is less than 15 minutes away, and has everything from a police station to a Woolworths, Coles, BWS, post office, hairdresser, and various take-out options. Charlton offers residents a rural lifestyle in a prime location, on the fringes of town, with enough space to create a farming enterprise.
n/a n/a
Page 13
suburb profile | Darling Heights
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$345,250
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... -0.1% 12 months ................................
1.5%
3 years ..................................... -1.4%
5 years ..................................... 12.1% Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
2.7%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
57 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
8.4 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
Students call Darling Heights home WHILE still quite a young suburb, with the bulk of its development occurring in the past 20 years, Darling Heights can be found on the southern edge of the city – with the land falling steeply to the west toward Drayton. The suburb consists of detached brick-and-tile bungalow housing with a mixture of larger homes, as well as blocks of units and duplexes. It’s once rural appeal is slowly evolving into suburbia and while a few of the horse paddocks remain momentarily, development has seen a number of new housing estates spring up in the area. The median sales price is $345,250 for houses which is an increase of 1.5 per cent, according to CoreLogic figures. Acreage buyers are catered for with some larger allotments still available in the southern part of the suburb. Both the rental rate and the increase of townhouses and unit developments cater for the needs of students at the University of Southern Queensland while further education options are provided by Darling Heights State School. One of Toowoomba’s most beautiful parks is the Japanese Garden, designed by Professor Kinsaku Nakane of Kyoto, which opened in 1989. Located on four and a half hectares, it is Australia’s largest and most traditionally
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5% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
5192
Average weekly household income
$1262 Median age
28
designed Japanese stroll garden. It plays host to many weddings through the year and it is quite common to see an artist painting or children feeding the fish or swans, ducks, geese and smaller native birds.
Westridge Shopping Centre is located in the suburb and features convenience shopping, takeaway food outlets, a pharmacy, butcher’s shop, bakery, newsagency, post office, medical and allied health facilities and hairdresser.
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East Toowoomba | Property Insights
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We’ve got over 30 years combined real estate experience. We work together as a team to achieve exceptional results for our clients and an experience that is second to none. Rely on our unrivalled experience and proven expertise. Capitalise on our success. Request an obligation free market appraisal on the value of your home. Heston Marino
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0499 440 292 Dominic.Ryan@colliers.com Page 15
suburb profile | East Toowoomba
East Toowoomba’s magnetic pull This tree-lined suburb has become a must-see destination, attracting locals and visitors from all over Queensland and neighbouring states
QUEENS PARK: The popular and historical park and its botanical gardens form the epicentre of the Toowoomba Cernival of Flowers. PHOTO: TOURISM AND EVENTS QUEENSLAND
THROUGH its museums, cultural events, heritage listings, and astonishingly beautiful gardens, East Toowoomba has the power to not only attract tourists, but also to make locals feel like visitors to the area. The Cobb + Co. Museum on Lindsay St offers several interactive displays, exhibits and heritage workshops, like blacksmithing, lead-lighting or millinery. It houses the National Carriage Collection, which features 47 vehicles, each of which played a significant role in the development of Queensland. From passenger coaches, travelling long distances between far-flung Queensland towns, to light and stylish four-wheeled buggies meant for in-town travel, wagons hauling heavy loads across the Darling Downs, carriages for the wealthy and carts pulled by farmers, laden with produce, the history of travel in Queensland holds an interesting insight into how Toowoomba became the transport corridor to the west. The Coach Shop play area keeps kids busy all day, where they can dress up in old-fashioned clothes and become shop attendants in the old Museum General Store. Kids can also experience the view from horseback on the life-sized horse replica. Heritage workshops are held at Cobb + Co. regularly and range from short, one-day workshops, to more immersive five-day challenges. Whether participants are beginners interested in learning a new traditional skill, or practitioners looking to enhance their skills, these workshops are tailored to suit everyone. The Cobb’s Coffee Shop offers visitors everything from fresh scones, to shepherd’s pie, quiche, and muffins. The coffee shop caters for the whole family, with a Little Cobbers menu also available. The Heritage-listed Queens Park and Botanic Gardens are popular destinations for both visitors and locals. The picturesque parkland is situated between Margaret and
Campbell streets on meticulously manicured land. A kaleidoscope of riotous colour erupts every spring and carries on throughout the warm summer months, while autumn brings with it a radiant show of red, orange and yellow as the massive deciduous trees shake off their leaves. Combined with the evergreen trees and shrubs, autumn’s multi-coloured carpet makes for spectacular views throughout the park. It is no surprise why Queens Park is the chosen venue for many community activities and annual events, like the ever popular Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, various fun runs and charity walks, as well as the Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival. Reinforcing the magnetic pull of Toowoomba and its appeal as a regional hub for sports, arts, culture and education, there are several prestigious schools in the suburb of East Toowoomba drawing student enrolments from all over the Darling Downs. State and private schools like Toowoomba Grammar School, Fairholme College, Toowoomba East State School, Mater Dei Primary School, Toowoomba Anglican College and Prep, and tertiary institutions like TAFE Queensland and South West campus, provide reason enough for locals and visitors alike to take a trip to East Toowoomba. Toowoomba Grammar’s immaculately sculpted grounds are set on a 52-acre campus, encompassing five major sporting ovals, two indoor swimming pools and eight tennis courts. The school’s aesthetics contribute largely to the overall beauty and natural feel of the suburb and neighbouring CBD. The nearby Toowoomba East State School on Mary St was founded in 1887 and offers excellent facilities (including a heated swimming pool) to about 830 students, from prep to year six. Fairholme College is situated in the north-eastern corner of this leafy suburb and is an extremely popular choice among families far and wide looking to enrol their child in the Garden City.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Toowoomba Grammar School is one of several well-known Toowoomba private schools and is situated in East Toowoomba.. PHOTO: T&GWSBT
Tailoring our approach to you SOLD: 86a mary Street
SOLD: 91 mary Street
SOLD: 72 mary Street
COnSiStentLy aChieving mOre in eaSt tOOwOOmba Page 16
no one person is the same and every home is different. we listen to you and deliver what we say. we'll tailor our approach to selling your home, because the only result that counts, is the one you are after.
Rob Murphy 0409 323 729 rob.murphy@belleproperty.com
6843628aa
SOLD: 92 Campbell Street
suburb profile | East Toowoomba
SPOTLIGHT
A glorious place to call home
HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$472,500
BUY
$330,000
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... -2.1%
12 months ................................ -4.5%
7.4% 5 years ..................................... 31.3% Annually (10 years) ................... 3.7%
3 years .....................................
March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET
43 days
March
?
$ generations of locals and regional visitors since it first opened to the public in the late 1800s. It’s a beautiful calm space where nature showcases its seasonal offerings, alongside the city’s bustling CBD. A variety of community activities and annual events are also hosted at Queens Park and Botanic Gardens with Toowoomba’s internationally renowned Carnival of Flowers and its signature Flower, Food and Wine Festival leading the way. From tree-lined avenues and woodlands to open space sporting ovals, all-abilities playgrounds, and barbecue and picnic
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
7.8 days
GROSS RENTAL YIELD 3.7% Units..................................... n/a Houses..................................
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
5244
Average weekly household income
$1409 facilities, the parkland has lots to offer across three distinct areas – namely Queens Park Botanic Gardens, Vera Lacaze Memorial Park and Queens Park’s greater park area.
Median age
39
6807500aa
EAST Toowoomba is one of the city’s oldest and most prestigious suburbs – highly regarded for its stunning older properties and its proximity to the CBD, Queens Park and schools, With its tree-lined streets, it boasts gorgeous historic homes (many of which have been beautifully extended and renovated) – making it one of the most highly prized suburbs in the city. Currently, the East Toowoomba median sales price sits at $472,500 for houses (down 4.5 per cent) and $330,000 for units (up 6.5 per cent). But the popularity of the area will never wane, with the tree-lined streets adding to the aesthetic of the suburb and really playing on the Garden City name of Toowoomba. School facilities in East Toowoomba include the ever-popular East Toowoomba State School, Toowoomba Grammar School, Fairholme College, and Toowoomba Anglican College and Preparatory School, making it popular with families. The suburb’s proximity to the CBD makes it easy for inner-city workers to commute to work. In fact, they can often leave their cars at home and either walk or cycle. Other highlights include Queens Park, Mother’s Memorial, Cobb & Co Museum and TAFE Queensland South West Toowoomba campus, as well as numerous cafes. Set across more than 25 picturesque hectares, Queens Park has been enjoyed by
MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE
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Showroom Location
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PHONE 07 4616 1444 Email sales.toowoomba@bradnams.com.au www.bradnams.com.au
Page 17
suburb profile | Glenvale
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$367,000
BUY
$305,000
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... -0.1%
12 months ................................ -2.3%
3 years ..................................... -6.4% 5 years ..................................... 4.9%
Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
2%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
51 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
8.8 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
5% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
6353
Average weekly household income
$1509
Popular Glenvale continues to grow IN THE past decade, there have been 35 subdivisions in Glenvale, adding up to more than 1000 new lots. Some of these subdivisions are still under construction this year and more are planned. Due to this growth, most houses in Glenvale are modern, brick free-standing homes as well as duplex units. The established section of Glenvale has small acreage allotments with large family homes, some with swimming pools and tennis courts. Glenvale’s median sales price is $367,000 (down 2.3 per cent) for houses and staying steady at $305,000 for units. Three-quarters of all residents in Glenvale are families and, to fit with this, the suburb is very family friendly with plenty of established parks. These include the popular Glenvale Park, which is designed to encourage healthy, active recreation and play for all age groups. From exciting shade-covered playground equipment through to cricket practice wickets
Median age
32
and a multi-purpose court (for tennis or basketball) with coin-operated lighting, these are some of the features that reinforce the park as a destination parkland and complement community use of the adjacent showgrounds and criterium facility. Additionally, a gazebo, picnic facilities including barbecues, drinking fountains, linked pathways, sealed off-street parking and toilet amenities make this a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Other amenities include a mix of public and private school facilities, the Toowoomba Showgrounds, and the Toowoomba Criterium Circuit, with plans for a Coles supermarket complex to be built at the corner of Glenvale Road and Greenwattle St. Glenvale also has access to public transport. The 209 bus route between the Toowoomba CBD and Glenvale operates roughly every 15 minutes and calls in at several bus stops along the way. The suburb also has aged care and assisted living facilities.
We are completely locally owned, and we employ locals whose product knowledge is second to none. We provide great quality country service and support! Toowoomba bbQs & Fireplaces Bernoth Centre, Ruthven Street, Toowoomba | Ph: 4566 2646 | www.webertoowoomba.com.au Page 18
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suburb profile | Cotswold Hills
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$615,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
-1.1% 7% 3 years ..................................... 9.8% 5 years ..................................... 13.9% Annually (10 years) ................... 2.4% 12 months ................................
March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
26 days March
?
$
An enviable lifestyle awaits LIKE its namesake in England, Cotswold Hills, on the western outskirts of Toowoomba, offers a welcoming country lifestyle that immediately brings to mind lush rolling hills and plenty of room to move. For decades, Cotswold Hills has been popular with families and retirees who take advantage of the lifestyle associated with large allotments – with the established blocks ranging in size from one to five acres. Because of the large block sizes available, the suburb boasts expansive homes with many also featuring swimming pools and tennis courts. These added features equal higher property values than the Toowoomba average with the median sales price of $615,000 – this is an increase of 7 per cent for the year. In general, households in Cotswold Hills are primarily couples with children, with 98.2 per cent of the residences stand-alone homes and the remaining 1.8 per cent townhouses or villas. The majority of homes, at 97 per cent, are owner-occupied, half of which are fully owned. John Trousdell Park is a central park within the Cotswold Hills residential estate, which comprises two separate areas in the Hamzah Drive section and the Roderick Drive section. Adjacent to Hamzah Drive, this area of the park has an open space, multi-purpose court, a learn-to-ride facility and a basketball half-court. Picnic facilities include play equipment, toilets, shelters, barbecues and a rebound wall.
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
6.5 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
n/a n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
1278
Average weekly household income
$1938 Median age
6857025ai
45
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(07) 4639 2244 Cnr Neil & Thomas St,Toowoomba www.gardencitytyres.com.au
Page 19
suburb profile | Harlaxton/Rockville
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$289,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... -0.5%
12 months ................................ 10.1%
3 years ..................................... 2.3%
5 years ..................................... 15.6% Annually (10 years) ...................
March
?
3%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
51 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
10.8 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses..................................
5%
Units..................................... 00.0%
Buyers continue to find good value A SLEEPING giant of Toowoomba, Harlaxton has come along in leaps and bounds as a popular suburb for families looking to establish themselves on the property ladder. As one of the most affordable suburbs in Toowoomba, it has a median sales price of $289,000 for houses which is an impressive 10.1 per cent increase on last year’s figures, according to CoreLogic data. There are some great residential pockets in this suburb, particularly in the area around Downlands College and the suburb also has a state primary school within its boundaries. Harlaxton is dissected by the New England Hwy, with the east side of Harlaxton featuring splendid vistas of Toowoomba towards the south, escarpment views and the city’s suburbs to the west. Harlaxton is 4km north of Toowoomba’s CBD and is named for the heritage-listed Harlaxton House commissioned by Francis Gregory in 1870. There is a mix of housing styles from timber character homes to modern brick homes and units. There are good shopping facilities in Harlaxton at Northpoint Shopping Centre, which features two supermarkets, a butcher shop, bakery, pharmacy, post office, newsagency and multiple takeaway food outlets. Neighbouring Rockville has a median sales price of $280,000 which is a modest increase
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
2547
Average weekly household income
$925
Median age
34
of 1.8 per cent. Like Harlaxton, Rockville features housing styles from timber character homes to modern brick homes and units. A state primary school is located in the suburb and there are a number of parks with playground equipment. One of Toowoomba’s premier hospital
facilities, St Andrew’s Hospital, is located within Rockville. St Andrew’s Hospital is a 137-bed, acute-care private hospital that has available some of the region’s most advanced surgical technologies. Quality shopping facilities are provided in either Wilsonton or Harlaxton.
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Page 20
suburb profile | Harristown
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$300,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... -4.8% 12 months ................................ -5.8% 3 years .....................................
-6%
5 years ..................................... 13.3% Annually (10 years) ................... 2.3%
March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
53 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
9.6 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
5.5% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS LEFT: Historian Peter Cullen at Toowoomba Cemetery in Harristown. BOTTOM RIGHT: Cricket takes place in the oval at Harristown State High School. TOP RIGHT: Greg and Riley Kanowski from Gomoran at the Toowoomba saleyards in Harristown. PHOTO: STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
Unit prices show a moderate rise LOCATED just 3km southwest of the CBD, Harristown is a residential suburb that started developing around the turn of the century. Much of Harristown’s development is post-Second World War and the housing styles reflect that – with a mix of traditional colonials, post-war housing, chamferboard and brick-and-tile houses on small allotments. Many Harristown homes have been renovated in recent years, with free-standing homes the most common housing type. The median sales price for houses is $300,000 which is a drop of 5.8 per cent on last year, while units have had almost the same percentage rise (5.6 per cent) bringing them to $305,000. There has been an increase in unit development in the suburb with a mixture of multi-unit complexes and duplexes. Harristown has numerous educational facilities within its borders including two campuses of Concordia Lutheran College – Warwick Street campus and Stephen Street campus – as well as Harristown State School and highly reputable Harristown State High School. An integral part of the region’s livestock
industry, the Toowoomba Saleyards sit nearby. There are significant portions of Harristown that are zoned for industrial use, particularly on the western boundary of the suburb. You’ll also find the Drayton and
Population
8555
Average weekly household income
$975
Median age
38
Toowoomba Cemetery on the corner of South St and Anzac Ave. As one of the state’s earliest surviving cemeteries, it was surveyed in May of 1850 and designated as a world heritage site on August 14, 2009.
Page 21
suburb profile | Middle Ridge
It’s all about the location The Cossarts say it’s Middle Ridge’s proximity to shops, schools and amenities which makes it the number one suburb to live in kindergarten up the road. Having schools in your area is an asset,” Barbara said. According to the Cossarts, Middle Ridge’s space, greenery, and established trees, is what makes all the difference between this suburb and newer ones. “The blocks here are a reasonable size; they’re not all jammed together,” commented George, with Barbara adding most homes in the area have gardens and trees. “It’s an ex-farming area with good red soil. If you leave your finger in the ground too long, it starts to sprout,” joked George. The good soil in the area allows for the establishment of beautiful parkland every couple of blocks. Barbara believes having parks in your neighbourhood is a big plus for aesthetic purposes and enjoyment. “When our grandchildren were younger, they used to stay with us for the holidays and they loved going to Middle Ridge Park,” she said. The Cossarts said, if they had to do so again, they would still buy a home in Middle Ridge. “I wouldn’t hesitate to buy in Middle Ridge again. It’s a beautiful, clean, and leafy area,” Barbara said.
6843628ab
BARBARA and George Cossart have lived in Middle Ridge for about 23 years and watched the suburb develop into what it is today. “We were the first permanent occupants of this house. Back then, almost all the houses along here were display homes. We’re out on the fringes now, but we were pretty much in the middle back then,” George said. “We’ve really seen this suburb expand,” agreed Barbara, who added the homes and housing estates in the area were beautiful. For the Cossarts, the proximity of amenities, parks and schools, was a big part of their enjoyment of the area. “We’re five minutes from Kmart, the Ridge Shopping Centre and Aldi and, apart from the bigger shopping centres, we also have quick access to a couple of small shops and centres in the area. We have doctors, chemists and hairdressers, and everything is so close,” Barbara said. Despite not having any school-aged children, Barbara and George agree having as many schools in the area is a good thing for the future of the suburb. “The beauty of living here is also because of the schools, the daycare centre and the
We believe that outstanding presentation, strategic
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suburb profile | Middle Ridge
Allotment living in luxury surrounds
FEATURING an impressive and accommodating mix of acreage and smaller allotments, with quality modern housing, Middle Ridge is one of Toowoomba’s most sought-after residential suburbs. Much of the area has been developed since the 1980s with the majority of housing free-standing homes (95.1 per cent) with good yards for families; the remaining 4.9 per cent is town houses and units. The latest CoreLogic data lists the median sales price at $542,500 for houses (up 1 per cent) and $378,950 for units (up an impressive 22.2 per cent). Middle Ridge’s popularity is partially due to its many family-friendly attributes. It is well catered for with primary school facilities with both Middle Ridge State School and Gabbinbar State School within its boundaries. Park facilities also make the suburb a favourite among families — Middle Ridge Park is among the many quality offerings. Middle Ridge Park includes two tennis courts with lights, three soccer fields, a cricket oval with turf wicket, cricket nets with artificial grass, a basketball half-court and playground equipment – there is also a clubhouse featuring a canteen, meeting room, toilets and showers. Picnic facilities include gas barbecues and
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$472,500
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... -2.1%
12 months ................................ -4.5% 3 years .....................................
7.4%
5 years ..................................... 31.3% Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
3.7%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
43 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
7.8 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
3.7% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
covered picnic tables and toilets. There is a fully fenced playground, with play equipment catering for many age groups; the area is wheelchair friendly with an all-ability swing. Golf enthusiasts will be impressed with Toowoomba Golf Club situated in Middle Ridge; the 18-hole course offers golfers of all levels a challenge with some homes backing on to the course adding to the luxury feeling of those properties.
5244
Average weekly household income
$1409 Median age
39
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suburb profile | Newtown
Citylife with relaxed country feel Newtown’s proximity to the CBD and its established parks and gardens offers the best of both worlds for young and old alike
NEWTOWN is the first Toowoomba suburb outside the city centre to be subdivided for residential purposes and is more than 150 years old. This suburb boasts of a good many heritage listed properties, the well-known Clifford Park Racecourse, and the Queensland State Rose Garden. Having had its beginnings in 1999, the Rose Garden has expanded year on year and now contains about 2000 roses, which makes it a unique spot to spend the day. For Lincoln Williams, it’s Newtown’s proximity to the CBD and its retention of that much-loved country feel, which makes it his home of choice. “It’s an established suburb with great parks and grown trees. If you drive out to some of the newer suburbs, there are no trees or good shrubs,” he said. Lincoln was born in New South Wales and lived in New Zealand and Tasmania, before moving to Toowoomba a year and a half ago. Having lived in various cities and towns, Lincoln said Newtown ranks high on his list of places to live. “Newtown is definitely up there in terms of the parks, the people, the space, the shops and amenities, and the schools,” he said. He shared his belief that Newtown has some of the best schools in Queensland and noted St Mary’s and St Ursula’s in particular. Lincoln currently rents but said he’d definitely consider buying a property in Newtown in the future. “The suburb is within a reasonable budget and has great potential for growth. It would be a good place to buy, especially if I was looking to develop the property,” he said, adding he could see himself settling down in Newtown. “I love trees and nature in general. I grew up in the bush and I don’t like concrete jungles,” he said when asked about the importance of trees and parks in his choice of neighbourhood. One of Lincoln’s favourite parks is Laurel Bank Park, on the border between Newtown and Toowoomba City. “This park is just amazing when the Carnival of Flowers comes around,” he said. Lincoln said he believes the average block in Newtown is much bigger than the blocks in neighbouring suburbs. “And the price is great,” he added. Another factor Lincoln took into account when moving to Newtown, was its easy access to major highways and its well-established public transport services. “It makes it really easy to come and go,” he said. According to Lincoln, the stigma of Newtown’s crime rate hasn’t affected him at all and he believes crime is concentrated around the borders with Wilsonton and Harristown. “I haven’t had any problems,” he said, adding his neighbourhood was relatively quiet and he had no reason to complain about noise or crime.
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suburb profile | Newtown
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$300,000
BUY
$239,000
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
n/a
12 months ................................ -3.2%
3 years ..................................... -1.8%
5 years ..................................... 17.6%
Annually (10 years) ................... 2.8% March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
46 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
9.4 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
Historic Newtown holds strong appeal DUE to its proximity to the CBD and continued affordability, Newtown is a popular suburb with young people looking to get a foothold in the property market. Historic Newtown features some beautiful character homes in various states of renovation, from original to fully renovated and extended, with more brick residences on the western edge of the suburb. In recent years, there has been an increase of in-fill unit developments. It currently has a median sales price of $300,000 for houses (down 3.2 per cent) and $239,000 for units (down 21.1 per cent), making it an ideal choice for first home buyers or investors. Schools are also abundant in Newtown and include Newtown State School, Our Lady of Lourdes School, Holy Name Primary School, The Glennie School, St Ursula’s College and St Mary’s College. Newtown’s main public space, Newtown Park is one of Toowoomba’s premier parks covering an area of 12 hectares. It opened in 1913. It’s a must-see location with three main feature areas including the renowned Queensland State Rose Garden, a children’s playground and barbecue area, and sports ovals with croquet lawns and cricket pitches. Bordered by Holberton, Taylor, Tor and Pottinger streets, the park is popular for its gardens, family activities, and participating in
5.2% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
9596
Average weekly household income
$1029 Median age
35
sport or fitness pursuits. Pathways link across the park alongside a collection of murals and plaques, and there are rest areas dotted throughout for the enjoyment of park users. There are several
shopping centres located around the suburb. The largest, Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre, has a variety of stores including two supermarkets, banks, eateries, department stores and specialty retailers.
Newtown | Property Insights
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The highest sale price recorded in Newtown last year was $795,000.
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Page 25
suburb profile | Mount Lofty
The perfect place to raise a family From its beautiful tree-lined streets to its schools, restaurants and amenities, Mount Lofty has everything a young family could need
WHEN Nick and Caitlin Easton sold their home in Harlaxton, they had their sights squarely set on Mount Lofty and it’s leafy streets. “I grew up in Mount Lofty, so we knew the area,” Caitlin said. “The return on our investment was another reason we chose to buy here. You could buy the worst house on the best street in Mount Lofty, do it up, and get a good return on it,” added Nick. Being close to Caitlin’s parents was a bonus. “My mum and dad live just about three blocks from us. My mum just left,” laughed Caitlin, who said having her parents close is a big help. The Eastons decided to move their family to this suburb for many reasons, perhaps chief among which, was the consideration of raising their son, Digby. “It’s the perfect place to raise a family,” Caitlin said. She explained living in Mount Lofty meant you don’t have to miss out on anything, because there are many activities in the area. “While I was on maternity leave, all Digby’s activities were here, like kinder music, kinder gym, and swimming classes at Fairholme. And the schools are great,” she said. “Although we’ve come down to a smaller house-block, we’re closer to major parks. When Digby outgrows this yard, it’s just a three-minute walk to Queens Park.” The family enjoys having everything they might need within walking distance of their home. “Digby hops in his pram and we go for a stroll at least every Saturday. We wind up at Bunnings for a sausage – Digby loves their sausages – then head to Grand Central and come back via Queens Park,” Nick said. Safety was another consideration for the Eastons. “It’s a safe neighbourhood and this house is safer for Digby as well, as it was already fenced when we bought it,” said Caitlin, adding the neighbourhood is quiet and neighbours know each other. “You’re close enough to your neighbours to know them, but not so close that you can hear them,” she said. Another positive attribute of the neighbourhood for the young couple is the proximity to restaurants and pubs. “It’s only a short walk to the Spotted Cow from here. I can walk down, watch some Super Rugby, have a couple of beers, and walk home. There is no need to get a taxi or Uber home,” Nick said. “There are plenty of good restaurants in the area now,” said Caitlin. “With downtown becoming so packed with everything, it’s starting to flow out and move closer to us,” affirmed Nick. The family plan on living in this area for a long time. “We won’t live in this house for the rest of our lives, but we’ll probably stay in Mount Lofty or East Toowoomba. I don’t see us ever going to a different area,” Caitlin said.
Thinking of moving?
Mount Lofty | Property Insights
Now is the time to list your home for sale in Mount Lofty. The highest sale price recorded so far this year is $2,900,000.
Rely on our unrivalled experience and proven expertise. Capitalise on our success. Request an obligation free market appraisal on the value of your home.
Page 26
Helen Austin
Jon Austin
0439 962 801 Helen.Austin@colliers.com
0408 828 760 Jon.Austin@colliers.com
suburb profile | Mount Lofty
Leafy suburb still attracting interest
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$499,500
BUY
$512,500
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................
9.8% 11% 3 years .................................. 13% 5 years .................................. 48.6% Annually (10 years) ................. 5.3%
12 months ..............................
WITH sensational range views to the east and impressive escarpment living, Mount Lofty provides a welcome mix of luxury homes and long-established suburban living with a distinctive green background. It has three main parks, as well as multiple smaller ones, covering nearly 32 per cent of the suburb’s total 10sq km size. In addition to these parks, Mount Lofty is home to Boyce Gardens, a six-hectare natural paradise. It was developed by Leslie and Margaret Boyce over 60 years as a private garden and was given to the University of Southern Queensland in trust by the Boyces. This is fortuitous, with most of Mount Lofty populated by families (71.5 per cent); almost three-quarters of the suburb’s residents are owner/occupiers. The median sales price of Mount Lofty is $499,500 for houses (up 11 per cent), but it is unit living where major growth has occurred with a staggering 28.3 per cent increase in price bringing them to $512,500 for the year –
March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET
51 days
March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
8.2 days
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses..................................
3.6%
Units..................................... 00.0%
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
3775
Average weekly household income
To further add to Mount Lofty’s appeal, it offers some wonderful views, both over the escarpment and back across the city.
$1685 Median age
43
with 92.1 per cent of the properties stand-alone houses and the remaining 7.9 per cent townhouses and units. Architecture in Mount Lofty ranges from turn-of-the-century houses and cottages through to contemporary brick homes with almost every style of housing design of the past century evident. To further add to Mount Lofty’s appeal, it offers some wonderful views, both over the escarpment and back across the city. The homes built along the escarpment are built to make the most of the views with many architecturally designed. The homes are expansive with many also boasting extra amenities such as swimming pools and tennis courts. Located just 2.5 kilometres from the city centre, the suburb offers plenty of amenities and great educational facilities such as Toowoomba State High School. It is also home to multiple aged-care facilities such as Mt Lofty Nursing Home in Rifle Range Road and TriCare in Curzon Street.
Tailoring our approach to you solD: 26 Windemere terrace
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Page 27
suburb profile | Kearneys Spring
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE
Suburb a favourite with families
HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$397,500
BUY
$294,500
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... 2.6% 12 months ................................
3%
3 years ..................................... 4.6% 5 years .....................................
18%
Annually (10 years) ................... 3.6% March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
60 days March
A SOUTH-SIDE favourite, a large proportion of Kearneys Spring was developed in the 1970s, but in the past five to 10 years there has been significant urban growth on the southern fringes. Homes in the suburb are primarily brick in construction. The newer homes are quite large with spacious family living areas. Its proximity to the University of Southern Queensland has made it popular with students, and the suburb has a median rent ranging between $280 and $340 a week. More than a third of residents (42.9 per cent) rent their homes. Investors and owner-occupiers are equally well catered for with a good balance of family homes and multi-unit complexes and duplexes available. Kearneys Spring is an affordable suburb, located to the west of Middle Ridge, with a median house price of $397,500 for houses (up 3 per cent) and $294,500 for units (up 3.3 per cent), according to the latest CoreLogic data. A total of 29.2 per cent of homes are owned outright and 23.8 per cent are owned with mortgages. Shopping facilities are extensive with Toowoomba Plaza, the Harvey Norman Centre, The Ridge Shopping Centre, Westridge Shopping Centre and Uni Plaza all within its boundaries. Christian Outreach College Toowoomba is located within the suburb. The school is a co-educational facility catering for studetns from Pre-school to Year 12. There is an extensive green belt running along West Creek with great walking and bike paths through it, making it ideal for families who like to get out and be active on the weekends. Kearneys Spring Park is a major sporting facility which is fully lit and includes 10 touch football fields and four softball diamonds.
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
9.7 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
4.4% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
8552
Average weekly household income
$1112
Median age
35
Kearneys Spring in April 2018.
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suburb profile | North Toowoomba
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$303,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
1%
12 months ................................ -0.7%
3 years ..................................... -4.3% 5 years ..................................... 11.2%
Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
2.7%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
43 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
8.6 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
5.1% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
2953
North Toowoomba is transformed
NORTH Toowoomba was one of the earliest developed suburbs in the Toowoomba region and, as such, features distinctive bluestone kerbing lining its heritage areas. It extends from the Toowoomba railway yards to Harlaxton (covering about two square kilometres) and there are many charming character homes found in the area – many of which have, or are undergoing, renovation and extension work. Many of the streets have avenues of trees and some have quite substantial and established canopies. North Toowoomba is another affordable suburb with median house sales price of $303,000 (down .7 per cent). More than one-third (42.6 per cent) of North Toowoomba is rented with the remaining 56.8 per cent either fully owned or owned with a mortgage; 0.6 per cent is occupied under other circumstances. The suburb is close to the CBD with schools and shopping amenities in nearby Newtown, East Toowoomba and Harlaxton. West of Ruthven St to Mort St and extending down to Bridge St is a substantial light-industrial area running more or less parallel to the railway.
This area includes the new Bunnings Warehouse construction, as well as the Mills Precinct. The former Dairy Farmers milk processing facility, in Brook St, has been redeveloped in
Average weekly household income
$1158
Median age
36
recent years into multiple commercial tenancies. These tenancies include multiple gyms and office space, all of which make the most of the industrial chic feel of the development.
Thinking of selling?
North Toowoomba | Property Insights
Now is a great time to list your home for sale in North Toowoomba. We are currently fielding increasing enquiries from buyers looking in your area. Rely on our unrivalled experience and proven expertise. Capitalise on our success. Request an obligation free market appraisal on the value of your home.
Heston Marino
Liam Hopkins
0434 931 069 Heston.Marino@colliers.com
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Page 29
suburb profile | Rangeville
O’Sullivans happy to go with the Flo Former defence family discovered the perfect Rangeville home to settle down — and they haven’t looked back
6843628ad
THE year was 1989 and Marie and Phil O’Sullivan were eager to escape Brisbane and “settle down” somewhere once Phil’s service in the army came to an end. Regularly on the move, the couple had already called many parts of Australia home throughout the years and while they didn’t know too much about Toowoomba — it was definitely on the radar. “When I was living out west, all the weddings and events seemed to be held in Toowoomba — so it held a lot of appeal... to a kid, at least,” Phil recalls. “Also, I loved the cool nights.” On cue, Marie pulls the blanket up over her legs, admitting her bones “aren’t as big a fan”. “But really, all the seasons in Toowoomba are lovely and we’ve met some very nice people over the years. We’ve always had great neighbours,” she said. “We didn’t know Toowoomba from Adam and were told by our agent to stay in the East Toowoomba area,” Phil said. “We spent many weekends driving up from Brisbane, but eventually found a home we liked.” Mindful of securing “a great location” for the right price, the O’Sullivans discovered a house in Rangeville that ticked the boxes. “The garden was terribly overgrown, and the house needed some work, but we saw it had good potential. “Living in army accommodation for so many years, you never owned your own house, so it was great to be able to do renovations as we wanted,” Phil said. “And put a plant in where we wanted,” Marie smiles. Both avid gardeners, that one plant became two which then became three until the pair had turned their humble house block into a suburban oasis of shrubbery and native flora with meandering paths revealing lush greenery and fragrant flowers at every turn. Twenty-six years later, they couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. “The schools in our area had a great reputation and we knew our daughter Amy was going to excel given the right environment,” Phil said. Proud as punch, the O’Sullivans now have a respected doctor in their family and know all too well how important those formative schooling years can be. Now retired, days are a little less hectic for the pair with daily walks with their dog Flo and visits from the grandchildren always a special treat. “The grandkids have a ball playing in the back garden and visiting Picnic Point,” Phil said. “They love the ‘duck park’ (Lake Annand), the ‘waterfall park’ (Picnic Point) and the ‘house park’ (Heller St).” “The shops are just up the road and the doctors and St Vincent’s Hospital are so close. Everything is so handy, it’s a great area to live in,” Marie adds.
We believe that outstanding presentation, strategic
PREMIUM RESULTS
marketing, genuine client service and superior sales skills are the core ingredients of a premium result. We strive to achieve this with every property we list, with every client we work with and in everything we do. so, if it’s a working relationship and credible experience you’re after, you’ll feel right at home with
3 Meredith Crescent – Street Record
35 McClymont Drive – Sold Confidential
22 McClymont Drive – Street Record
Consistently aChieving more in rangeville Page 30
matthew Keeley 0437 720 885 matthew.keeley@belleproperty.com
suburb profile | Rangeville
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE
Rangeville appeal grows ever stronger
HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$440,000
BUY
$325,000
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
0% 1.1% 3 years ..................................... 1.1% 5 years ..................................... 19.9% Annually (10 years) ................... 2.2% 12 months ................................
March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET
36 days
SITTING a mere five kilometres southeast of the CBD, the residential suburb of Rangeville remains a popular location for investors and families. Renowned for its tree-lined streets and spectacular views from the edge of the range, the main focal point of the suburb is Picnic Point – one of Toowoomba’s oldest recreation areas. The popular area presents panoramas that encompass the Lockyer Valley, with Tabletop Mountain prominently in the foreground. Picnic Point has multiple playgrounds making it a favoured choice for families, including the Witch’s House playground in
March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
9.2 days
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
4.3% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
8312
Average weekly household income
For the adventurous, from the top of the range and down through bushland to the east, are several graded walks and a bridle trail.
$1439 Median age
43
Heller St Park, which has hosted and continues to host many children’s birthday parties. For the adventurous, from the top of the range and down through bushland to the east, are several graded walks and a bridle trail. The median sale price in Rangeville is $440,000 for houses (up 1.1 per cent) and $325,000 for units (dropping 8.1 per cent this year on the back of a number of developments in the area). Making Rangeville even more popular with families are the school facilities, including Rangeville State School and St Joseph’s College. Rangeville State School is one of the most sought-after public school facilities in the city and with catchment enrolments, a residential address in the suburb is desirable for many families. The Range Shopping Centre and High St Plaza provide quality retail options including supermarkets, takeaway food outlets and restaurants.
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Page 31
suburb profile | South Toowoomba
Fun and games at your doorstep WHETHER you are looking for a social outing or a competitive sporting contest, South Toowoomba has plenty of recreation opportunities thanks to spectacular parklands and sporting facilities. Among these are City Golf Club, South Toowoomba Bowls Club and Clewley Park (which is part of the West Creek corridor). City Golf Club is an 18-hole course which is the host of the Coca Cola Queensland PGA Championship. It offers tee times to both members and social players. Another great feature of the club is the mini-golf and driving range. They are open seven days a week and are great for families and golfers keen to hone their skills. The mini-golf course includes 18 fun-filled, themed holes with many obstacles and twists and turns to keep people coming back time and time again.
South Toowoomba Bowls Club is located on Hume St and offers facilities for socialisers and bowlers. Souths on Hume boasts two function rooms – each with their own bar – a newly refurbished beer garden, a professional kitchen and two bowling greens and the relaxed, casual atmosphere makes the venue perfect for birthday parties, hen’s parties, staff parties or social club gatherings. The club also offers a variety of barefoot bowling packages with a choice of barbecue, high tea or party platters. Souths on Hume is the home to the South Toowoomba Bowls Club and the Tigers Premier 7s. Clewley Park is adjacent to the Toowoomba Hospital, on Pechey St, on Toowoomba’s West Creek and is in close proximity to the city centre (with the main vehicle entrance in
Did you know?
Water St). The park is an inner-city oasis with two distinct areas divided by West Creek and connected by a bridge. The Pechey St side has a large central pond with lily pads and a bridge, as well as gardens, bird life and playground equipment. There are barbecue and picnic facilities, toilets and inviting walking and cycling paths – not to mention the large open areas. The Water St side also has barbecue and picnic facilities, toilet amenities, off-street parking and Parkour play equipment. It mirrors the appeal of Pechey St with walking and cycling paths and large open areas which are popular for kick-about activities. With many facilities on offer and stunning natural landscaping including a scenic pond, Clewley Park is popular with small groups.
South Toowoomba | Property Insights
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Page 32
Dominic Ryan
Louise Bizzell
0499 440 292 Dominic.Ryan@colliers.com
0428 710 334 Louise.Bizzell@colliers.com
suburb profile | South Toowoomba
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE
Suburb has a strong investor presence
HOUSE ...................
$$
$
$332,500
BUY
$313,500
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
2%
12 months ................................ 0.8% 3 years ..................................... 2.3%
5 years ..................................... 23.1% Annually (10 years) ................... 3.5%
March
SOUTH Toowoomba has had mixed housing styles from the early 1900s and, as larger portions were subdivided, the houses have reflected the style of that era. The suburb is immediately adjacent and to the south of the CBD, with James St forming the northern boundary and the southern boundary adjoining Middle Ridge. The suburb’s boundaries are further defined by East and West Creek with each waterway having linear parklands. South Toowoomba is about four square kilometres and has eight parks covering nearly 19 per cent of the total area, including Lake Annand Park. There is a mix of free-standing homes and units in the suburb, in both multi-unit complexes and duplexes.
UNIT ...................
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET
49 days
March
?
BEAUTIFUL BOUNDARY: Enjoy the picturesque Lake Annand Park, on the border between South Toowoomba and Rangeville. PHOTO: TOURISM AND EVENTS QUEENSLAND
South Toowoomba has eight parks
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
7.6 days
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
4.8% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
5224
Average weekly household income
$1103
Median age According to CoreLogic data, the median sale price in South Toowoomba is $332,500 for houses (up .8 per cent) and $313,500 for units (down 4.7 per cent). Free-standing homes make up 75.9 per cent of properties in the suburb, with townhouses making up 9.7 per cent and units or apartments 14.3 per cent. The suburb has a strong investor presence with 42.9 per cent of properties rented. The remaining 56.5 per cent of homes are owned, either outright or with a mortgage, and 0.6 per cent is otherwise occupied. There are several motels in the suburb and South Toowoomba is also the home of the City Golf Club, which hosts the Coca Cola Queensland PGA Championship. The club is also a popular choice for functions and has a large restaurant. There are numerous fast food outlets on the southern fringes of the suburb and St Saviour’s Catholic Primary School and St Saviour’s College are close to the northern boundary of the suburb. The primary school offers a co-educational facility from Prep to Year 6 while the college is an all-girls school from Year 7 to Year 12.
37
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suburb profile | Prince Henry Heights
Tranquillity and the feel of seclusion PERCHED at the eastern edge of Toowoomba, with sweeping views of the escarpment towards Withcott, is the picturesque suburb of Prince Henry Heights. Generous blocks, large family homes, and several small parks make up the landscape. With a median sales price for homes well above the Toowoomba average of $355,000 (according to the Real Estate Institute Queenland’s latest report), Prince Henry Heights is one of Toowoomba’s prestigious suburbs. In the last two years, the average price of the 19 sold properties was almost $630,000 according to data acquired from realestate.com.au. The majority were free-standing homes, with a few residential land packages making up the total of sales. The suburb continues to grow as a high demand market, with 1322 visits per property — a massive increase from the Queensland average of 374 visits per property. The majority of residents in Prince Henry Heights are older couples and families, at 36.6 per cent. Elderly couples make up another 18.3 per cent of residents, with another 17.7 per cent being established couples and families. The remaining Prince Henry Heights residents are elderly singles, independent young people, and maturing couples and
families. Prince Henry Heights is surrounded by bushland on all sides, with Jubilee Park to the north and Redwood Park to the south. With 313ha of bushland, Jubilee Park is one of Toowoomba’s largest parks and is popular with bushwalkers, runners, and mountain bikers. The park contains the first legal downhill mountain bike track in Queensland, as well as a cross-country loop at the base of the park. Forming part of the National Bridle Trail network, which allows people to traverse Queensland on horseback, there are horseriding opportunities in this massive park. Located on the Great Dividing Range, Redwood Park has a great diversity of plant and animal life, including grey ironbark, river oak and blue gum trees, numerous bird species, goannas, and wallabies. Formerly home to a zoo and a Great Depression era unemployment camp, the 243ha Redwood Park now has a bushland picnic area, with picnic tables and a compost toilet, along with several walking trails, making it a great place to spend the day. Despite the suburb not having any school or shopping facilities of its own, it has easy access to these facilities and amenities in nearby suburbs such as Rangeville, East Toowoomba, Mount Lofty and North Toowoomba.
For many, the lack of schools and shopping centres in the neighbourhood adds appeal to the area and contributes to the exclusive and secluded feel of Prince Henry Heights. With some of Toowoomba’s best escarpment views, privacy ensured by its location, and tranquillity in abundance, Prince Henry Heights is understandably a sought-after address for many.
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suburb profile | Toowoomba City
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$343,000
BUY
$306,000
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... -0.4%
12 months ................................ -8.4%
3 years ..................................... 3.4%
5 years ..................................... 27.2%
Annually (10 years) ................... 3.2% March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
26 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
11.4 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
4.5% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
2088
Average weekly household income
$951
Median age
Inner-city reflects proud past TOOWOOMBA City’s many handsome old buildings and wide streets reflect its rich history and importance as the first suburb in the city. There is a mixture of housing styles from the oldest colonial architecture to modern apartments, large masonry residences to fibro cottages in both renovated and unrenovated condition with some in a heritage overlay planning area. Being the closest suburb to the CBD, Toowoomba City is a clever choice for city workers looking to avoid paying for parking. Toowoomba City offers some great affordable buys, and while the median house price of $343,500 is down 8.4 per cent, the unit price (now at $306,000) is up an impressive 20.2 per cent. Houses make up 52.7 per cent of the dwelling options in Toowoomba City, with townhouses a mere 5 per cent. Units make up 41.8 per cent and 0.5 per cent of the suburb’s
40
dwelling are other types, such as motels. A large proportion of the suburb is rented (61.2 per cent), making it a good suburb for investors to consider. The median rent for houses is $300 a week and $238 a week for units. The remaining 37.3 per cent of properties are owned and 1.5 per cent is otherwise occupied, again through motels. Toowoomba City is bounded by Hume, James, West and Bridge streets and contains Laurel Bank Park with smaller parks dotted around the suburb. Holy Name Primary School, which was established in 1916, and the North Toowoomba State School, which stands on the site of the original Mort Estate School (established about 1869), are in the suburb. Toowoomba City contains several shopping centres and street shopping as well as the Toowoomba railway station and the city’s bus interchange on Neil St.
W
inten & Co is a boutique agency that concentrates on clients’ needs and wants. It has been responsible for many sales within the prestige residential market, along with sales in both the high-end commercial and rural sectors. Principal Broc Winten has over 30 years’ experience in the real estate industry throughout South East Queensland. Broc foresees great opportunity in the immediate and greater locale of the Toowoomba districts, and attributes this to the unprecedented and long overdue infrastructure spending. The horizon is set to change dramatically with new infill projects on the drawing boards, attracting investors and end users to the market. Winten & Co is presently working on a number of exciting projects in-house that will come to fruition over the next few months. These projects are strategically located to benefit from the TRC’s broad-based initiatives to create a thriving and liveable city — one that is envied by those living in busier built up regions. The local community will have the choice to partake in affordable living options that will enable stable growth and financial security. For more information, please call Broc on 0418 766 442.
0418 766 442 | 4638 3133 | 123 Margaret St,Toowoomba | winten@twmba.com.au | www.wintenandco.com.au Page 35
suburb profile | Torrington
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$527,500
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... -4.2%
12 months ................................ -8.1%
3 years .....................................10.5% 5 years ..................................... 17.2% Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
1.5%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
151 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
8.8 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
DEMOGRAPHICS
Wide open spaces in Torrington LARGELY undeveloped, Torrington is a suburb of about eight square kilometres on the western edge of Toowoomba. It sits seven kilometres out from the CBD, with its boundaries defined by Hursley Rd, Boundary St, Troys Rd and the Warrego Highway. There are several residential estates including Sovereign Hill Estate, with large modern homes on large lots offering a comfortable and peaceful rural-residential lifestyle. More residential land is being developed as Torrington is part of the Western Corridor, which has been identified as the area necessary to cater for Toowoomba’s expanding population. Because of the large allotments and houses the median sales price is $527,500, which dropped this year by 8.1 per cent. Torrington is comprised exclusively of houses with almost all of the homes owned (89.2 per cent), outright or with a mortgage; only 10.8 per cent of the suburb is rented. It is popular with families with 89.5 per cent of residents made up of family households, which can be attributed to the large allotments and houses that epitomise Torrington’s residential landscape. It still maintains its rural-residential feel with large allotments; there is also a lot of open space, paddocks and bushland offering great rural views. A
4.6% n/a
Population
879
Average weekly household income
$1728 Median age
45
significant industrial area is located along the suburb’s eastern boundary. There are no schools in the suburb and the main park in Torrington is Joe Allen Park, which is on Cumner Rd, but it is close to the
Wilsonton and Fairview Heights schools. The park is in a natural bushland setting and provides play equipment with soft fall and shade structure, the picnic facilities include gazebos, tables and benches as well as toilets.
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suburb profile | Wilsonton
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$323,500
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
1.4%
12 months ................................ 6.8% 3 years .....................................
2.7%
5 years .....................................16.8% Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
3%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
56 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
10.4 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
5% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
5955
Average weekly household income
$981
Median age
Wilsonton offers great potential AFFORDABLE homes and a quality shopping precinct are just two of the major drawcards of the Wilsonton area. Located six kilometres north-west of the CBD, the suburb’s housing stock is mostly brick in construction with a few older timber homes. A number of in-fill multi-unit complexes have been built in recent years. Wilsonton is a popular choice for renovator buyers, as the homes are solid with great potential for modernisation. The median house price is $323,500 for homes (up 6.8 per cent) and $285,000 for units, which is a modest drop of 1.4 per cent in the past year. There are a number of motels in the suburb, which help cater for peak festival times, such as the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers every September and CRT Farmfest, which is held at Kingsthorpe every June. With 65.1 per cent of households having
Steve Drewery — Principal 0409 307 755 Rural & Residential Sales Licensed Auctioneer
children, Wilsonton has a good array of schools within its boundaries. They include Wilsonton State School, Fairview Heights State School, Sacred Heart Primary School and Wilsonton State High School. This is Toowoomba’s newest state high school, as it was previously a campus of Toowoomba State High School. The shopping centre includes both Woolworths and Coles supermarkets, a post office, bank branches, takeaway food shops, bakery, butcher, newsagency, GP clinic and a pharmacy. There are 12 parks and sporting fields are at the Captain Cook Reserve, which is one of the city’s major sporting facilities. It includes five turf cricket ovals, one of which has lights, cricket practice nets, a national standard BMX track with lights and a skate park. The oval configuration allows for up to
seven rectangular fields and there is a clubhouse with a canteen, two dressing rooms with toilets and showers. Picnic facilities include picnic tables, playground, barbecues, toilets and a large off-street parking area.
Toowoomba West
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40
Michelle Connolly 0458 902 395 Senior Property Manager
www.professionalstoowoombawest.com.au 164 Anzac Ave, Harristown Phone 07 4634 4566 Page 37
suburb profile | Withcott
Withcott draws buyers to the east A SHORT drive down the Toowoomba Range is the popular township of Withcott. Just 10 kilometres east of Toowoomba, Withcott offers residents plenty of space which has made it a popular choice for parents wanting to give their children a laid-back country lifestyle. Buyers get a lot of bang for their buck due to the size of the allotments — many properties have expansive homes with multiple living spaces, large bedrooms, two bathrooms and double garages; there is also plenty of room for large detached sheds and pools, which are often utilised during the summer months. Withcott is almost exclusively comprised of free-standing homes (99.1 per cent), of which 86.3 per cent is owned, either outright or with a mortgage, leaving just 13.1 per cent rented. The majority of the town (86.2 per cent) is
made up of households with children, another reason families make the move to Withcott is the cheaper cost of living, with council land rates more affordable in the town as compared to Toowoomba Regional Council. Withcott State School provides quality primary school education where students can experience success through engaging curriculum programs, a range of sporting and musical pursuits, environmental experiences and extra-curricular activities. The town also has a range of shops, including a FoodWorks supermarket, butcher, a hotel, bakery and landscape suppliers as well as a hardware store, an aquatic centre and a petrol station. The area also has a pony club, a strong soccer club and a large sporting complex with playing fields and an indoor sports hall which is available for hire.
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suburb profile | Highfields
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$525,000
BUY
$331,000
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... 0.2%
12 months ................................ 2.9% 3 years ..................................... 2.9%
5 years .....................................18.8% Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
3%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
40 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
8.4 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
Living the high life at Highfields HIGHFIELDS has quickly built a reputation as one of the fastest growing suburbs in the state – a welcoming, family-friendly area with strong infrastructure and great quality of life. Roughly 24sq km in size, it’s located on the outskirts of Toowoomba, 12km north of the CBD. One of the most popular residential areas on the Darling Downs, it features acreage and town-sized blocks, many with fantastic views of the Downs or the Range. Even with its population booming in recent years, Highfields has retained its village atmosphere. The median sales price for homes in Highfields is $525,500, an increase of 2.9 per cent in the past year. Units haven’t shared the same support though, and have dropped 15.7 per cent in price. The vast majority of properties (84.2 per cent) are owner-occupied; 14.8 per cent of the homes are rented and 1.1 per cent are otherwise occupied. The suburb has a number of cafe and tourist precincts, as well as two suburban shopping centres. Families can enjoy the beautiful parks, such as Peacehaven Park, and a recreation centre which includes an outdoor public swimming complex and a large indoor arena holding two volleyball and basketball courts and a gym. Highfields Pioneer Village is another
4.2% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
8131
Average weekly household income
$1792
Median age
42
drawcard. The latest community facility to be developed is the Highfields Sports and Recreation Park which provides a high-quality, multi-sports facility that offers a range of opportunities for residents and will have the capacity to host larger events and carnivals.
With the growth of the area, more schools have been built and Highfields now has a state primary school, a state secondary college, the private Toowoomba Christian College and Mary Mackillop Catholic College. Highfields is expected to grow by 10,000 in 15 years.
Highfields | Property Insights
The market is heating up!
We are seeing strong buyer interest in Highfields with 149 properties sold last year.
Rely on our unrivalled experience and proven expertise. Capitalise on our success. Request an obligation free market appraisal on the value of your home.
Dean Delaney
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0439 535 232 Dean.Delaney@colliers.com
0418 750 392 Sean.Lewer@colliers.com
Page 39
suburb profile | Meringandan/Kleinton
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$427,500
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................
1.5% 6.5% 3 years .................................. 5.6% 5 years .................................. 29.5% Annually (10 years) ................. 3.8% 12 months ..............................
March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
35 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
8.3 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
DEMOGRAPHICS
Perfect spot to escape the city life ONCE nothing more than open paddocks and a smattering of homes and farmsteads, Meringandan has grown significantly in the past five years with more estates opening the area to home-owners looking for a rural escape. The town has a mixture of older established and newer houses with a variety of construction types from classic weatherboard to modern brick. Meringandan features large residential allotments, making them ideal for families chasing a rural residential lifestyle. There are two main parts to the town – Meringandan and Meringandan West. Meringandan West has a median sales price of $427,500, which is an increase of 6.5 per cent on last year; Meringandan only recorded a small number of sales, so an accurate sales figure cannot be obtained. All of the homes in Meringandan are free-standing with 99.5 per cent in Meringandan West and the remaining 0.5 per cent made up of units. A little more than three-quarters (75.8 per cent) of homes in Meringandan are owned, either outright or with a mortgage – the remaining 24.2 per cent are rented. In Meringandan West 88 per cent of homes are owned either outright or with a mortgage; 11.6 per cent of homes are rented and 0.5 per cent are otherwise occupied.
4.9% n/a
Population
2211
Average weekly household income
$1737
Median age
31
* Statistics are for the Meringandan West area
There is a hotel at Meringandan and a general store, service station and a school at Meringandan West. The main recreational venue is the Cooby Creek dam, north of the town, which is one of Toowoomba’s principal water supplies. Cooby Dam has two main recreation areas, Loveday Cove and the dam wall picnic area. Loveday Cove offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a host of land and aquatic pursuits. Cooby Dam wall picnic area offers walking tracks, shelters and free gas barbecue facilities
(with no water access for boating) – it is a picnic area only. Sometimes, these facilities are closed to the public. When this closure does happen, the road access gate will be closed at the end of Pipeline Road. There is also a new playground in Tom Volp Park. With a population of about 1600 people, neighbouring Kleinton has seen a drop in value since last year, with houses dipping 1.7 per cent to a median sales price of $516,250.
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suburb profile | Hodgson Vale
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$595,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... -11.2%
12 months ................................ -3.3% 3 years ..................................... 4.8%
5 years ..................................... 19.3% Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
3.1%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
n/a March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
10.5 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
n/a n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
1379
Chance to escape the rat race PRIVACY, wide open spaces and the strong appeal of a rural residential lifestyle are just some of the reasons buyers are heading to Hodgson Vale. The suburb is about 26 square kilometres in size and is located 12km south of the Toowoomba CBD with a small community of 1379, according to the latest Census information. Toowoomba’s metropolitan overspill has had the area grow, with larger rural/residential blocks proving popular with retired farmers and growing families. Allotments are larger, usually with a minimum land size of 4000sq m, and because of this homes are large. The larger allotments also allow for extras such as sheds, pools and tennis courts. All of these factors add up to a median sales price of $595,500, which was a fall of 3.3 per cent in the past year, CoreLogic data shows.
35
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4
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19 Devine Street, Harristown
$259,000
5
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12 Dylan Court, Darling Heights
$339,000
6
D1
1/11 Samuel Court, Darling Heights
O/O $349,000
7
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2/178 Mary Street, East Toowoomba
$439,000
10 Dove Crescent, Kleinton
$469,000
1-2/89 Ramsay St, Centenary Heightss 13 Campbell Street, East Toowoombaa
$595,000
10 D1
8/6 Salisbury Street, Darling Heights
I/A 270,000
11 C1
23/90-92 Glenvale Road, Harristown
O/O $250,000
12 C3
70 North Street, Mount Lofty
O/O $269,000
13 C2
12 Rosina Street, Newtown
O/O $299,000
14 D1
4 Judith Court, Harristown
$329,000
15 D3
135 Long Street, South Toowoomba
O/O $379,000
16 E2
7 Zinnia Court, Middle Ridge
O/O $379,000
17 Adelaide Street, Cranley
$395,000
4 Schloss Court, Gowrie Junction
$449,000
8
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8 Pelling Court, Westbrook
O/O $469,000
13 Saba Court, Middle Ridge
O/O $499,000
12 Campbell Drive, High�elds
O/O $539,000
Lot 10/12 Wirra Wirra St, Mt Lofty
O/O $749,000
4 Herronbee Street, Rangeville
O/O $799,000
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Auction
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8 Lynne Court, High�elds
Auction
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8 Sherwood Street, Mount Lofty
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20 King Street, Greenmount
$199,000
75 B2
9 Moran Street, Wilsonton
$289,000
76 D1
10 Ware Court, Darling Heights
IF $310,000
77 C2
Street Harristown Quinn Street, O’Quinn 69 O
$319,000
78 D2
5 Gascony Street, Harristown
$349,000
79 D3
153 Mackenzie St, East Toowoomba
$425,000
1 Dodson Crescent, Mount Kynoch
$439,000
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46900 6700 copasnewnham.com.au
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Auction
4 Fox Court, Glenvale
Rocklyn St
Median age
Get the best price for your home
46333 6500 eldeerstoowoomba.com.au
Bur
St
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25 B2
$389,000
3 Willowburn Drive, Rockville
April 28, 2018
$549,000 NEG
1&2/31 Abbey Street, Cranley
O/O $569,000
26 C2
29 Clifford Street, Toowoomba City
27 E2
12 Wapiti Street, Kearneys Spring
$279K
28 D2
166 South Street, Centenary Heighhts
O/O $339K
29 E3
67 Rowbotham Street, Rangeville
$359K
30 D2
206 Perth Street, South Toowoombba
AUCTION
6 Railway Street, Pittsworth
AUCTION
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127 Glenvale Road, Newtown
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86A Mary Street, East Toowoomba
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FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2018 THECHRONICLE.COM.AU
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46888 2222 ljhoooker.com.au 31 D2 32 C2 33 C1 34 C2 35 C2
3/34 Stephen St, South Toowoombba
$249,00
4 Smith Street, Gatton
$265,00
4/15 Goode Street, Newtown
$300,0
26 Paperbark Drive, Glenvale
$350,0
11 Helen Street, Newtown
Mid $4
45 Mia Street, Wyreema
$455,
244 Bridge Street, Newtown
AUCT
Independent research shows that the average price is 10.4% higher when you market your property in print together with online because you’ll reach all potential buyers*.
O C GET YOUR COPY
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*RP Core Logic Data 12 months to April 2018; Individual circumstances may differ. Increase amount illustrated is via a newspaper campaign in conjunction with an online campaign.
real esta ate
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Page 41
suburb profile | Westbrook
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$444,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... -2.4%
12 months ................................ -5.5%
3 years ..................................... -2.4% 5 years ..................................... 8.8% Annually (10 years) ................... 2.2% March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
72 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
7.6 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
DEMOGRAPHICS
Relaxed atmosphere adds to allure THE allotments are large, the houses are spacious and there is a strong community feel about Westbrook – that’s why it’s a very popular suburb with families looking for more space and a quieter lifestyle. The majority of the homes are modern brick constructions and many have four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage. Because of the size of the land, a high proportion of the properties also have detached sheds. The median sales price is $444,000, which is a decrease of 5.5 per cent in the past year. The suburb completely comprises free-standing homes, with 83 per cent of them owned either outright or with a mortgage, 16.6 per cent are rented and the remaining 0.4 per cent is otherwise occupied. In recent years, there have been several land releases, including Shoesmith Westbrook. Westbrook is located just 20 minutes south-west of Toowoomba and has convenience shopping, a tavern, a bakery, childcare centre and a primary school – Bunker’s Hill State School. The school has been in operation since 1899. As with all facilities in Westbrook, the school is lucky to have the convenience of being very close to Toowoomba and all its facilities and services, while still being in a rural setting.
Population
3885
Average weekly household income
$2010 Median age
32
It is this country atmosphere which permeates the school, so that children, staff, parents and the wider community contribute to a caring, supportive environment in which students can flourish. Westbrook’s Centenary Park is a well-utilised area, particularly on weekends.
The park has been upgraded with new playground equipment and coin-operated LED lights installed over the tennis courts. More work including fencing, new signs and pathways is scheduled. Farmland still exists in the district, adding to the country feel of Westbrook.
MELITA BELL SELLING WESTBROOK No. 1 Agent within the Westbrook area! Source: RateMyAgent
0407 071 262
Page 42
4.9% n/a
melitabell.com.au
suburb profile | Clifton
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$220,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................... 2.3%
12 months ................................ -2.2%
3 years .....................................18.6% 5 years ..................................... -2.2%
Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
2.1%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
76 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
10.2 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
DEMOGRAPHICS
Wide range of facilities at Clifton
Population
1456
Average weekly household income
$824
Median age
49
home ■ Nirvana Hostel, 15-bed hostel ■ Vedette Villas, eight villas ■ Clifton Medical Practice, new state-of-the-art premises The nursing home will expand to include construction of a 12-bed Memory Support Wing to assist community members living with dementia. Clifton has an abundance of high-quality recreation and sporting facilities catering to a
Inspire. Design. Create.
large regional area. These include a 25m indoor pool, golf course and racetrack. Clifton offers schooling from Prep to Year 12 with a state primary school and a Catholic primary school (Prep to Year 6), as well as a state high school (Years 7 to 12). Clifton has a number of cafes and hotels offering a range of food and beverage options and there is also a supermarket, newsagent, butcher, hardware store, post office and various mechanical trades.
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CLIFTON offers plenty of opportunity at affordable prices and, being just a short distance south of Toowoomba, it’s proving the perfect escape for home owners who don’t want the hassles of the big city. The median sales price in Clifton is $220,000, which is a drop of 2.2 per cent in the past year. Most of the housing in Clifton is houses (92.4 per cent), with the remaining 7.6 per cent made up of townhouses and units. Similarly, 68 per cent of properties are either owned outright or with a mortgage, with 31.2 per cent rented and the remaining 0.8 per cent otherwise occupied. The housing styles in Clifton range from classic timber to modern brick homes. Clifton is well equipped to cater for the needs of residents and visitors, offering a wide range of essential services, retail outlets, sports and community facilities. The town also boasts high-quality medical services including the Clifton Community Health Service. It is a community-owned, not-for-profit organisation that has been operating since 1949. Since its inception, the health service has grown to provide the following services: ■ Clifton Co-Op Private Hospital, 12-bed private hospital ■ Clifton Nursing Home, 23-bed nursing
5.9% n/a
60B Stephen St, TToowoomba b www.toowoombatilewarehouse.com.au
One Big Location
4639 1155
Page 43
suburb profile | Cambooya
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$326,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ........................
6.2% 6.5% 3 years .................................. 12.4% 5 years .................................. 43.6% Annually (10 years) ................. 3.5% 12 months ..............................
March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
73 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
9.5 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
4.5% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
1584
Average weekly household income
Cambooya proves popular selection
AFFORDABLE prices smack dab in the middle of Steele Rudd country make Cambooya a great country location for buyers eager to move to the south of Toowoomba. Just a half-hour from the Garden City, Cambooya is an affordable town in which to buy, with a median house price of $326,000, an increase of 6.5 per cent in the past year. The town is almost exclusively freestanding homes (98 per cent), with just 2 per cent of the dwellings townhouses. There is a mix of established and new homes on offer in this lovely little town. More than three-quarters of the properties in Cambooya are owned (76.9 per cent), with 22.4 per cent rented and the remaining 0.7 per cent otherwise occupied. The majority of the town is made up of families (80.4 per cent) and there is also a good number of over-65s (12.3 per cent) living in the town. Its appeal for families is its proximity to Toowoomba while still offering a laid-back country town vibe. Cambooya is a growing community with several land releases in recent years, including
Cambooya Ridge Estate, with town water and a shopping centre to be constructed. Most of the homes in this estate are modern brick homes with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and two-car garages, catering for the growing demand from families moving to the area. The town has a primary school, bowls club,
To book your IN HOME LIGHTING
CONSULTATION
please visit the Toowoomba store or call 4613 4277 Toowoomba 910 Ruthven St Ph 4613 4277 Page 44
post office, general store, public hall, three churches, several sports groups and three parks. A real highlight of the community is the Bull and Barley Inn, a traditional country pub that is a popular destination for both visitors and residents of the town to enjoy a hearty pub meal.
NEED ADVICE?
TALK TO THE EXPERTS
In Home Lighting Design Servic e
$1316
Median age
35
suburb profile | Wyreema
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$335,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
n/a 5.7% 3 years ..................................... -3.9% 5 years ..................................... 13.6% Annually (10 years) ................... 2.4% 12 months ................................
March
?
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
89 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
7.6 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
4.5% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
Wyreema is a place to call home
Beachside Resort Buddina Beach
The locals secret beach away from the tourists. Swim or Surf under the eye of the Kawana Surf Life Saving Club, sunbake in peace, read a book in the shade, or just enjoy the beach. Kawana Shopping World is within 300 metres with over 150 shops.
$1477
Median age
29
two tennis courts with small clubhouse, a basketball half-court and a skate park. It has various picnic options, including an electric barbecue, a good path network, toilets and a covered playground for young children.
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benefits of multi-age settings – student programs can be extended or modified within each class to cater for individual differences. Obst Park provides recreation space with a cricket oval with concrete pitch, cricket nets,
Average weekly household income
Pacific Blvd
A STONE’S throw from Toowoomba, Wyreema has long been a “go-to” for buyers eager to snap up quality land parcels perfectly designed for rural-residential living. One popular subdivision is Karara Gardens with Stage One currently on the market. With stages two and three to come, the Karara Gardens estate will be immaculately finished, with heritage colours throughout, stencilled patterns on all intersections and street lighting powder-coated to match. Wyreema is an affordable choice with the median sales price sitting at $335,000 (up 5.7 per cent from last year) with many of the homes being brick properties with all the modern conveniences. The housing landscape is made up exclusively of free-standing houses, with 83.3 per cent of these owned, either outright or with a mortgage; just 16.7 per cent of the homes are rented. For families with primary school-aged children, there is the Wyreema State School – and it is only a 20-minute drive to Toowoomba for secondary school needs. Wyreema State School is a friendly, family orientated school and, with a small school environment, the staff believe in the positive
1834
Page 45
suburb profile | Crows Nest
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$319,000
BUY
n/a
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
3.1%
12 months ................................ 18.1% 3 years .....................................
16%
5 years ..................................... 25.1% Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
3%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
85 days March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
9 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
4.4% n/a
DEMOGRAPHICS Population
2160
Average weekly household income
$814
Median age
Figures show Crows Nest on the rise
WITH some of the Toowoomba region losing value over the past year, Crows Nest residents are delighted with the CoreLogic data showing their median house prices have risen in value by an impressive 18.1 per cent. Crows Nest is a rural town of about 2160 people situated at the head of Cressbrook Creek, 35km north of Toowoomba. The town offers residents a laid-back country lifestyle, while still being close enough to Toowoomba for workers to commute. It presents affordable housing options with a good blend of classic cottages and modern brick homes. The block sizes are large and there are rural residential and small acreage allotments. The median sales price in Crows Nest is $319,000, which has grown by more than 18 per cent. Most of the dwellings in the town are free-standing homes. Town houses make up 4.5 per cent, units 0.8 per cent and other dwelling types 2.3 per cent. Owner-occupiers make up 73.4 per cent and, interestingly, 46 per cent of residents own
52
their properties outright. Today, the business centre clusters around Centenary Park, which was established as a village green. Its streets are filled with striking old buildings. The town and district offers a P–10 state school, a library, shopping area and swimming pool as well as golf and bowling facilities. There’s also a hospital, a progress association, historical society, the showgrounds and the former shire hall. Of historical interest, the Ray White real estate empire began in 1902 in Crows Nest, where the first office was in a tin shed in the railway yards. Crows Nest National Park is 6km east and walking tracks lead to the Valley of Diamonds and a rock pool with a waterfall and steep granite gorges. Wildflowers and birds abound — you may even see the rare brush-tailed rock wallaby. Held in October each year, the Crows Nest Festival includes among its highlights the infamous Perseverance Cup for racing worms.
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Page 46
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suburb profile | Warwick
SPOTLIGHT MEDIAN PROPERTY PRICE HOUSE ...................
$$
$
UNIT ...................
$262,000
BUY
210,000
n/a
RENT
n/a
CAPITAL GROWTH Change in median sales price in: Past 3 months ...........................
1.4%
12 months ................................ 3.9%
3 years ..................................... 9.2%
5 years ..................................... 11.3% Annually (10 years) ................... March
?
1.1%
AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS ON MARKET (HOUSES)
n/a March
?
$
AVERAGE HOLD PERIOD
11.4 years
GROSS RENTAL YIELD Houses.................................. Units.....................................
DEMOGRAPHICS
Something for everyone in Warwick A STROLL through the CBD of Warwick opens a door to yesterday with beautiful sandstone buildings and historic architecture scattered throughout this popular southern Queensland city. Located on the banks of the Condamine River, and known as the Rose and Rodeo City, Warwick was settled more than 150 years ago and now has a population of more than 15,000. The Cunningham and New England highways pass through the city. There are various housing styles throughout Warwick from Queenslanders and worker’s cottages to more modern brick homes. And while most homes are detached, there is still a percentage of units. The median sales prices of homes in Warwick was recorded at $250,000 last year according to CoreLogic data. Families are well-catered for with multiple state primary schools, a state high school and a number of private primary and high schools to choose from. There are good recreation and sporting facilities throughout Warwick including sports fields, a swimming pool and cycling track. There are also parks with sporting clubs for rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football, netball, tennis and cricket (as well as other sports). Various motorsports and the Warwick Polocrosse Club call Morgan Park home.
n/a n/a
Population
12,222
Average weekly household income
$936
Median age
41
The region has a strong agricultural industry for which Warwick serves as a convenient service centre. The livestock industry is also vitally important with the Warwick Saleyards holding regular cattle and sheep sales. Tourism is another major industry in
Warwick with easy access to Main Range National Park which offers bushwalkers a plethora of hiking and bushwalking options. Warwick also hosts a number of annual events including the Jumpers and Jazz in July festival and the Rose and Rodeo Festival — the oldest and most famous rodeo in Australia.
Did you know?...
Warwick Credit Union can now offer a range of mortgage broking and equipment finance solutions from a choice of lending providers in addition to our well known trusted products Call our experienced lenders today on 1300 72 44 33 and see how they can help YOU achieve your financial goals sooner
WARWICK | ALLORA | KILLARNEY | INGLEWOOD | DALBY Terms and conditions apply. Warwick Credit Union Ltd ABN 98 087 651 116. AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 240556
wcu.com.au 1300 72 44 33 Page 47
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