Proof we live in Paradise

Surfers tops the Gold Coast list for most-searched suburbs

THE Gold Coast’s heart is a paradise for more than just surfers, with new data revealing it is the hottest suburb in the city for property.

Latest realestate.com.au data shows Surfers Paradise topped the Glitter Strip’s list of most searched suburbs on the property website. House hunters searched it 267,709 times in the period from January to November last year.

Southport came in second with 221,455 searches followed by Burleigh Heads (216,466), Broadbeach (211,355) and Palm Beach (194,176).

Harcourts Coastal Broadbeach agent Katrina Keegan, who sells property in Surfers Paradise with colleague Penelope Nicholls, said location and affordability made the suburb so popular.

“I would say we’re the most affordable beachside suburb not only in Queensland but Australia,” Mrs Keegan said.

She said some apartments were listed for as little as $300,000 and with cafes, restaurants and the beach so close, people could not go past it.

“I’d probably say mainly apartments (were searched) because most people would have that postcard picture of Surfers Paradise in their minds,” she said.

“Tourism here is the strongest it’s ever been and I can’t see it slowing down.”

Ray White Prestige Gold Coast agent Sherry Smith believed interstate buyers were driving demand in Surfers Paradise because lifestyle and prices were attracting them.

She said Southport was popular because it was attracting investors and families wanting to be close to schools.

Many people were buying a property, then renting it out for a few years before moving in, she said.

“A lot of them want to know, what are the returns and what are the cost associations,” she said.

“It’s a numbers game as well as (for) the heart.”

She said both would always be among house hunters.

Lambert Willcox Estate Agents director Mitchell Lambert said Southport had many suburbs popular different types of properties, from entry-level cottages to prestige mansions.

“That’s what sets us apart massively from the other suburbs,” he said.

He said the suburb was not always highly sought-after but the popularity of renovations had attracted people to older properties in need of work.

“There’s been a big resurgence in the area,” he said.

“We’re still selling houses for record prices and they haven’t stopped going up, and why not? It’s a great area.”