Clicking into place
HOBART home listings attract thousands more clicks online than any other city, as homeowners battle to find the best properties in Tasmania.
Released today, the realestate.com.au July Property Outlook report showed in the past three months Hobart home listings averaged 4399 page views each, far exceeding 2185 in Melbourne, 1631 in Sydney or Darwin with the smallest figure of 491.
Compared year on year, Hobart’s listing views have grown by 38.6 per cent, making it the most in demand city by far on the property website.
The report noted affordability, jobs growth and “very little development” were factors in Hobart’s rising home prices.
Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said Tasmania was booming and “Hobart continues to be red hot”.
She said inner Hobart was the place most buyers want to be, with West Hobart and North Hobart the most in demand for houses. Hobart and Sandy Bay top the list for apartments, Ms Conisbee said.
“Strong conditions have also spread to Launceston and Devonport and these cities have seen increases in demand of more than 45 per cent,” she said.
Ms Conisbee said while strong pricing was good news for some, it had created challenges in Hobart.
She said affordability was dropping and it was starting to become problematic for first home buyers.
“Hobart needs more housing to accommodate its growth, a challenge for a city that is accustomed to very little traffic, low levels of congestion and limited apartment development,” she said.
Homeowners Ned Worledge and Kate Mudge described their recent experience in Hobart’s property market as “head spinning”.
The couple sold a two-bedroom 1940s-built Lutana home within five days of it hitting the market — and at an excellent price.
Ms Mudge, 27, said they received three offers before their first — and only — open home. Mr Worledge, 28, added that about 100 people had inspected the house.
Ms Mudge said selling their house “in a heartbeat” had allowed them to upgrade to a larger home.
“You hear the horror stories, but we were very lucky that everything worked out amazingly well,” she said.
Mr Worledge said while he was thrilled with the result, he felt a little bad that it all went so smoothly for them when others were struggling.
“I know people that have given up trying to buy a home,” he said.
“They are tired of searching, attending open homes and putting in offers only to miss out over and over again.”
Harcourts Hobart agent Conor Canning said winter had not slowed the Greater Hobart market at all.
“It’s no surprise to me that we have got high demand and some of the lowest days on market in the nation,” he said.
“I’ve been blown away by the level of buyer inquiry from local and interstate purchasers.
“Many of our best buyers currently are those relocating from Melbourne and Sydney seeking a more affordable and relaxed lifestyle. Winter has been a fantastic time to sell with the scarcity of properties for sale driving prices higher.”