Freedom to boost action
THE Gold Coast real estate sector is bracing for a bumper weekend as a huge number of homes open for group inspections for the first time since COVID-19 restrictions were announced.
From today, up to 10 people are now permitted to inspect a property at one time and group auctions are also back on for 10 people, excluding the agent.
Those limits will gradually increase under Queensland’s road map to recovery, with 20 people from June 12 and up to 100 people from July 10.
Harcourts Coastal managing director Dane Atherton said his team was pumped for a huge weekend, with 175 open homes scheduled across the Gold Coast.
“We are expecting one of our busiest weekends ever,” he said.
“There’s pent-up demand among buyers who’ve been sitting on their hands.
“The unlocking of restrictions will drive people back to Australia’s secret passion, real estate.”
The open home sign is flying high outside 25 Tristan Court, Benowa, which is one of 20 open homes happening for Harcourts Coastal agent
Katrina Keegan and her team.
“We had a massive weekend last weekend and we believe this weekend will be even bigger,” Ms Keegan said.
“The quality of buyers is exceptional. They’re pre-approved and know what they want, which is translating into offers. I would say less than 10 per cent are browsers.”
This weekend is also the first time that public on-site real estate auctions will be held in Queensland since the Federal Government’s temporary ban was announced on March 25. Auctions have been conducted online since then and via phone bidding.
Of the five properties scheduled for auction on the Gold Coast today, only one will be conducted live on-site at 11am, as well as online.
Up to 10 people will be granted on-site attendance at 1/34 Palm Beach Ave, with priority given to registered bidders, while onlookers can watch online.
“There has been quite a lot of interest in this property so we’re doing a bit of both,” said marketing agent Sean Graves, of LJ Hooker-Burleigh Heads.
“The online format has served us well during this time but it doesn’t have the same energy as a live auction onsite.”