Bonanza by the beach

KINGSTON Beach took out the number one spot as Tasmania’s best performing housing market last year.

The latest data from CoreLogic has revealed huge median price growth with the cost of houses in the beachside suburb growing by more than 40 per cent in 2018.

At $760,000, Kingston Beach was the state’s sixth priciest suburb behind Battery Point, Sandy Bay, Acton Park, Dynnyrne and Glebe.

Cambridge, where 15 house sold last year, was the only other suburb to record median price growth over 40 per cent. Kingston Beach recorded 26 sales last year.

EIS Property Hobart property consultant Alison Rogers said Hobart was coming off the back of an extremely strong year. She said “pockets of Hobart” were still producing outstanding results.

“However, we need to heed the signs that are sneaking in of a softening market.”

Ms Rogers said regardless of the state of the market, the homes that will perform well will be the ones that are “sold by agents who have tuned into to the intrinsic value of the home and its location”.

“A strong relationship with buyers is essential to ensure the very best result,” she said.

Brittany Harris and Kurt Wells have just got a foot in the door of the coveted Kingston Beach corner of the property market and they were “stoked”.

The couple bought a historic cottage that fits the bill perfectly for their renovation and restoration dreams.

Ms Harris said they had been looking to buy for a year.

They attended open homes throughout the city but found it was common to see dozens of groups of potential buyers and fierce competition. When inspecting their Kingston property the couple attended the first and second open homes, put in an offer on the Sunday and it was accepted that night.

“We wanted this type of home, an older cottage that we could restore and put our stamp on,” she said.

“It wasn’t easy to find. A lot of older properties have already been restored or the work has been half started.

“Our focus will be keeping the heritage feel. Job number one will be uncovering the original floorboards that are hidden under carpet. Then it will be new paint and work on the front facade.”

Ms Rogers said Ms Harris and Mr Wells’s late Federation Edwardian cottage generated a lot of interest due to its character and location.

“It provided an entry point into such a liveable area,” she said.

“The relationship that exists between Kingston Beach residents and this beautiful suburb is obvious. People want to be a part of it.”