TOP SALES FOR 2018

INSIDE POSH HOMES:

BEACHSIDE, canal-side or up among the hills overlooking the city, there are a plethora of locations home to Cairns’ 2018 top price-getters.

Trinity Park’s 22 and 26 Brindabella Quay, 11 Marina Quay and 81 Harbour Dr took up almost half of the top 10 properties sold in the Far North last year.

Then there was 6 Kingfisher Cl, Earlville which was sold by Marsh Property before it was even listed.

LJ Hooker Cairns Edge Hill principal Ross Moller said last year’s best sales – four over $2 million – were just a sign of things to come this year.

“I think there were a few more expensive property sales last year compared to previous years. It shows a confidence in our market,” he said.

“This year will be similar. There are buyers who want top-end properties.

“I think the interest is coming from a mixture of locals and interstate buyers. The locals see it as a good time to buy as prices will go up in the long term. The southern buyers are cashed up through sales of property in Sydney and Melbourne, particularly, and perceive our property prices as cheap.

“This trend should continue even with prices softening in the south.”

Real Estate Institute of Queensland Far North zone chairman Tom Quaid agreed the Cairns prestige market recorded good activity.

“The highest price achieved in 2018 was an improvement on those in both 2017 and 2016, though this of course is influenced more by the properties coming to market than anything else,” he said.

“Looking back two years to when we saw just one home crest the $2 million mark, it’s certainly encouraging to see the confidence buyers have been putting into Cairns at the upper end.”

Mr Quaid said of the sales on the top 10 list settled by Quaid Real Estate and Colliers International, there had been a mix of both local and southern buyers.

“It was ultimately locals that signed on the dotted line, seeking to upgrade their permanent residence and make the most of the local lifestyle,” he said.

“The start of 2019 has already seen contracts signed on a number of properties over $1 million and we should hopefully see continued activity at that end.

“The recent sale of a vacant block of land for $2.1 million by our team also highlights the fact that Cairns is host to some very special real estate, and that’s recognised not just locally but by discerning buyers further afield as well.” editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost