Tech eases fears

Extra due diligence is giving emotional interstate buyers the confidence they need to act

REPORTS of sight unseen sales continue to flood in on the Gold Coast where agents and vendors are going above and beyond to build confidence among interstate buyers.

Two luxury waterfront villas in Broadbeach Waters have sold to southern buyers who had not stepped foot inside their properties prior to purchase.

Last month, a Melbourne buyer paid $2 million for Villa 1/19 Havana Key while a Sydney buyer paid $2.1 million for Villa 2.

Kollosche agent Jamie Harrison, who handled the marketing campaign alongside Corey Bedford, said neither buyer had inspected the properties in person before making unconditional cash offers.

“Both of those buyers purchased sight unseen,” he said.

“They each plan to use the villas as a holiday home initially, with a view to relocating in years to come.”

Mr Harrison said providing all of the key information from the outset empowered remote buyers to make confident decisions.

“If you do all of the due diligence upfront and make everything you can possible get available, buyers can transact with confidence. We’re making it as easy as possible and not holding anything back.”

That due diligence now includes providing remote buyers with an independent pre-sale building and pest report and an independent valuation.

As well as having access to promotional videos, high quality photography and FaceTime tours, remote buyers are taking virtual tours with the help of 3D scanning technology.

“Buyers can walk into every room and look at everything as if they were in the property,” Mr Harrison said. “We’ve all pivoted in this market to really embrace the technology that’s available.”

With borders closed and parts of the country still in lockdown, agents report buyers securing Gold Coast holiday homes with a view to relocating down the track.

“Many interstate buyers are quite emotional and looking to get liveability back,” Mr Harrison said.

“They are planting the first seed by spending more time on the Gold Coast.”

Mr Harrison said the lock-and-leave villas were highly appealing to interstate buyers with an eye for luxury and location.

“Set over three levels, these villas offer the space of a house with the lifestyle of an apartment,” he said.

“This location is close enough that you can walk to dinner in Broadbeach but far enough away that you don’t have to be in the thick of it with holiday-makers.”

Located on a point position at the end of a cul-de-sac, the newly constructed villas boast views of the city skyline.

Open plan living areas flow onto an alfresco area with a pool, while the middle level has four generous bedrooms.

A rooftop terrace adds icing to the cake, including a powder room, sink and fridge.

Luxury villas on Havana Key, Broadbeach Waters have sold sight unseen to interstate buyers.