Quality key for buyers
A LACK of quality housing is pushing agents to the limits of their stock as buyers compete for the best properties on the market.
Groups of 20 have become the norm during open home inspections as more buyers seek quality, well- presented homes over renovators.
Homes in or around the 4810 postcode are particularly sought after due to their lifestyle offerings, including vicinity to the CBD and The Strand.
The house at 30 Clements Crescent, Vincent is among Townsville’s most recent success stories, with the fully renovated, four- bedroom home selling $ 21,0000 above the listing price of $ 319,000.
Another sought- after property is 1B Plant St, West End.
Launched on the market only two weeks ago, the home has already attracted 17 groups during only four open homes, with numbers likely to double before it heads to auction on Tuesday night.
Listing agent Tess Sellwood of Keyes & Co said an average open home session previously attracted around four potential buyers per property, but numbers had doubled over the past quarter.
“We now see exceptionally high numbers at open homes, specifically in and around the CBD,” she said.
“Normally, agents average four groups through a house per inspection, so to achieve anything above that in our market is great.
“I think the reason is that while property prices are still cheap, buyers are looking to secure something a little better than what they currently own, so they are essentially upsizing.
“So our message to home owners is, if you are looking to sell, now is the perfect time as agents have such a high number of buyers looking for quality homes.”
The increase in buyer demand is specifically good news for sellers, according to Explore Property sales agent Giovanni Spinella, who says many homeowners have been holding off putting their properties on the market due to low sale returns.
“All properties I’ve sold in the last six weeks sold above the Townsville median house price of $ 345,000, and that’s because of increased buyer competition,” he said.
“There are currently a lot of super- fund buyers and retirees buying their last home, and they are happy to pay a little more if it means they get the house they want.
“While there’s still a market for renovators, these buyers want quality classy homes they can just move into, so we definitely like to see more quality stock become available.” TOWNSVILLE’S TOP 10 MOST VIEWED PROPERTIES ON REALESTATE. COM. AU FEDERAL Labor performed a policy 180- degree turn on coal just two days after backing a Greens motion that it had “no long- term future in Australia”. Opposition energy spokesman Mark Butler denied the party’s position was that there was no future in coal, despite Labor senators this week backing a motion with those exact words. He also rejected suggestions that comments would hurt the State Labor Government’s attempts to convince Adani to invest in a $ 21 billion coal mine in central Queensland. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said her federal party’s motion would not impact her own government’s position on energy. Despite the vote on Tuesday night, Mr Butler yesterday said coal was in decline but backed away from comments on its future. LNP’s Senator Barry O’Sullivan said Labor needed to develop a consistent policy on coal.