Cooly in property ‘boom’

Agents’ logistical nightmare in cross-border deals

REAL estate agents battling to do business either side of the Queensland-NSW border report they have been inundated with inquiries for homes on the southern Gold Coast.

Schmith Estate Agents, with an office just six metres from the border on Marine Pde, Coolangatta, said the demand for sales and rental propertied has ramped up over the past four weeks.

“Coolangatta is just booming. People are coming from everywhere,” said principal Justin Schmith.

“A lot of people I’m dealing with have moved up from Sydney and Melbourne prior to the shutdowns and from what we’re hearing more people are planning their escape to Queensland. I’ve done eight sales in two weeks.”

There had been a sudden spike in demand for rentals too, according to David Stringer, director and principal of DJ Stringer Property Services at Coolangatta.

“Rental inquiry has been really strong. The team can’t get enough stock,” Mr Stringer said.

“Last month we had a record month for rentals in 19 years. We leased over 40 properties for the month, which is well above our average and the demand is still very strong.”

The influx comes as agents battle the logistics of doing business on both sides of the border.

“We are licensed in both states so I’ve got staff working either side of the border every day and it’s just a nightmare,” said Mr Schmith.

He said locals were frustrated “trying to live here and do business here”.

Mr Stringer had faced similar challenges trying to operate between Currumbin and northern NSW.

“Staff getting to the office has been a big problem and we’re having to reshuffle our open homes either side of the border because we just don’t know how long it’s going to take to get across,” he said.

“From a buyer’s perspective, I think they’re working around it as best they can and allow themselves plenty of time.”