cover story With the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Regional Council now negotiating the specifics of residential growth on the Coast over the next two decades, the REIQ says keeping up with facilities and services will be challenging for the local industry and all levels of government. “The Coast has matured in terms of diversity of choice and our infrastructure
“
The departure of some first-home buyers is leading to increased investor activity
“
must match the growth areas,” says Brett. Half of the top 10 best-performing suburbs in the 10 years to 2009 were from inland areas such as Beerwah and Palmwoods. However, he says our economy is already evolving and the region boasts excellent facilities such as the Sunshine Coast Airport and the University of the Sunshine Coast. “People can choose to live close the beach and pay a premium, or they can buy into
The best thing about the Sunshine Coast is you can pick a suburb and then pick a price range to suit. Two recent homes east of the Nicklin Way sold for
$450,000 and
$3 million. It’s a rare thing in a marketplace
“
If we get a sustained improvement in new home sales over the first half of 2010, that would suggest a second-round new housing recovery is achievable, driven by private demand from upgrade buyers and investors
“
< from overleaf
Dr Harley Dale, chief economist, HIA mid-range real estate in great family suburbs with exceptional schools, or they can settle in quieter, developing towns along the rail line such as Landsborough up to Cooroy.” Brett, a Ray White franchise owner, says his agency’s figures for the past 10 months show eight out of every 10 sales have been to owner-occupiers – mostly local people changing circumstances. “They might not want stairs any more or they need another garage for their teenager’s car,” he explains. The departure of some firsthome buyers is leading to increased investor activity. “The rental market remains
strong, without any recent big jumps in yields,” says Brett. “REIQ figures show two per cent rental vacancy rates historically across the state.” RP Data figures show the median asking rent for houses on the Coast is $390 and the indicative gross rental yield is 4.3 per cent. For units, the median rent is $330 and yield 4.8 per cent. Almost 30 per cent of dwellings are rented and 76 per cent of all dwellings are separate houses. The agents agree that all this bodes well for Easter activity on the Coast, with holidaymakers from Brisbane to Victoria feeling more confident about looking for an investment property in our region, with a view to their own sea change. “The best thing about the Sunshine Coast is you can pick a suburb and then pick a price range to suit,” says Brett. “Two recent homes east of the Nicklin Way sold for $450,000 and $3 million. It’s a rare thing in a marketplace.”
SPOIL YOURSELF. AT SEASIDE ON THE PARK. PRICED FROM $465,000
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH TRANQUIL PARKLANDS AND STEP FROM THE BACK DOOR STRAIGHT ON TO LONG STRETCHES OF WHITE SANDY BEACH. NO ROADS TO CROSS, NO CAR TO PARK, COASTAL LIVING AT ITS BEST.
Luxury 2 and 3 bedroom beachfront apartments North south orientation Direct and private access to the beach and park 4XDOLW\ Û WWLQJV DQG Û QLVKHV WKURXJKRXW 'XFWHG DLU FRQGLWLRQLQJ /DUJH EDOFRQLHV DQG VSDFLRXV OLYLQJ DUHDV
CALL 07 5302 7079 TO SECURE YOUR SLICE OF PERFECTION TODAY.
PRISTINE. PRIVATE. PERFECT.
6WXQQLQJ YLHZV WR 0W &RROXP Secure basement car parks P ODS SRRO DQG %%4 HQWHUWDLQLQJ DUHD Private and secure complex Community atmosphere Stroll to cafes, shops, park and beach
PROUDLY DEVELOPED BY
Chilli 10475
SMALL COMPLEX OF ONLY 20 APARTMENTS | BUY NOW WITH 10% DEPOSIT AND SETTLE MID 2011
ZZZ seasideonthepark.com.au O N T H E PA R K ~ M A R C O O L A
8 My Property Preview | March 19, 2010
Page 8.indd 1
3/17/2010 10:28:06 AM