Dakota Peters
Inspections Officer
The Gold Coast is becoming one of the most popular holiday and living destinations in Australia. Between the lifestyle, natural attractions and near perfect weather, the Gold Coast is a haven for all. Known for its sandy beaches, elaborate system of inland canals and waterways, along with the countries best theme parks, the Gold Coast is the ideal place to buy a home.
From an elaborate system of waterways to sandy beaches and more, there is plenty of differentiating landscapes on the Gold Coast to make you feel as if you are travelling the world in your hometown. Explore the Hinterlands one day and relax at the beach the next. How can it get better than that?
Because of the world-class theme parks, natural beauty and diversity of activities, you will find a booming economy along the Gold Coast. Tourism and increased residents have caused businesses to boom and add additional jobs in the area. A good economy is one of the top things to look for in a new area and neighbourhood and the Gold Coast definitely has that to offer.
With the boost in tourism, more and more people are discovering what a gem the Gold Coast is and are looking to make it their home. This means, more homes are being built and communities and neighbourhoods are thriving. More people are moving away from their hometowns, and into the hinterland or near the beaches of the Gold Coast.
In addition to home development, the Gold Coast has been increasing its infrastructure and facilities over the years, making it a prime location for large events and more.
With a diverse terrain and community, there is something for everyone along the Gold Coast. From theme parks to natural springs and trails to coffee shops and nightclubs, you will never be bored. With booming tourism, the Gold Coast is constantly expanding on its entertainment front. With this range, the Gold Coast is an ideal place to settle down, buy a home and even raise a family.
To ensure you buy the right property at the right price give our team a call now on 1300 117 561 and let our Gold Coast Buyers Agents help you!
What is an off-market property?
An off market property is typically where the seller wants to sell their property without going on the open market, like realestate.com.au or domain.com.au. An agent will represent their property but not actively market the property.
Reasons for making your property an off market property include wanting to keep the sale private or possibly not wanting to spend money marketing the property. This is a great option if you’re thinking of selling your property, but just aren’t too sure yet.
Why should you want access to off market properties?
Off market properties tend to be hot-deals and are sought out by investors. Off market properties are usually a quick sale and have less competition, making it appealing to both buyers and sellers.
When buying a house that is readily advertised, there is a lot more competition and it can be difficult to get a bid in on time. With off marketing properties, you’re not in a race to get the best deal, but the best home for you.
Also, with an off market property, it is easier to negotiate lower prices. If the seller is just waiting for an offer or just want to sell their home, it can be easier to get them down to a price more in your range.
Remember that off market properties have their risks and make sure to do your research to know if this is the buying/selling option for you!
How to find off market properties?
To ensure you buy the right property at the right price give our team a call now on 1300 117 561
HOUSE PRICES in flood-prone areas are floating to the top of the market, outperforming the rest of the city, but experts warn it is not without risk.
Universal Buyers Agents property expert Darren Piper said the 2011 Brisbane floods do not appear to have dampened the appetite of home buyers as prices continue to trend upwards in flood-prone areas.
According to the latest analysis by Core Logic, 19 of the 20 suburbs affected by the Brisbane floods have outperformed house sales in the rest of Brisbane.
Fig Tree Pocket saw the highest amount of growth over the past five years jumping 52.7 per cent compared to the Brisbane average of 26.7 per cent.
“After the floods, we saw a noticeable shift downwards in prices and those areas did see prices slide quite significantly in the aftermath,” Mr Piper said.
“You would think that the perception among buyers would continue to see these areas as risky or negative, but anecdotally we’ve seen the complete opposite.
“Some of these areas, particularly around the Western Suburbs are skyrocketing, seeing some of the best price growth in years.
“Before the floods, these areas were seeing record high prices, now is a great time to buy while prices are still on the rise.”
Because of the close proximity to the Brisbane River and great nature and aspects of riverside living, Mr Piper said despite the floods these areas will continue to be a hotly sought-after opportunity for buyers.
However, he does warn buyers to weigh up the risks and seek the advice of a professional before being sucked in by the promise of high return.
Mr Piper warns that although house prices may be trending higher, buyers should do their homework to find out how their insurance costs could increase, potential maintenance costs and ongoing concerns could affect their investment long term.
“If you consider the likelihood of another once in a hundred year flood happening again in our lifetime is quite low, you can see why perceptions have shifted,” he said.
“But despite the opportunity, it is not without risk.
“Given the challenges, it is worth employing a property expert to help you weigh up the positives versus the risks and make sure you’re making the best decision.
“We can help work out what the potential opportunity is.
“We know developers are eyeing up these areas and they will continue to see demand rise, but it helps to have someone in your corner.”
When buying a property, it’s important to know what to do when in the negotiation process. Today, we are giving you the top five tips to remember when negotiating your property price.
Ask questions to figure out the vendor’s position. Why are they moving from this property? Ask for any repairs you think are needed. What are they wanting to get out of the deal? Questions about your future home are important to ensure your happiness in your new home! If you’re wondering about it, don’t be afraid to ask!
Make sure to research the surrounding area and neighbourhood to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Look at similar homes in surrounding neighbourhoods to ensure that your property value won’t go down in the future. In addition, make sure you are buying a home that will grow with you and your family in the future!
It’s also important to look up surrounding schools and workplaces if that is something you need to consider. It’s always important to plan proximity and location to your future workplaces and schools!
When negotiating your offer, you want to make sure you’re not overwhelming your seller with a lot of terms and conditions. Keeping it simple makes your contract easier to accept and finalize, making it a better option for the seller. But, don’t forget to ask for what you are looking for as well. It’s fine balance, but an important one!
Putting a short time frame on an offer gives you the security of no other offers possibly being made. Set your time frame to around 24-72 hours to give your sellers time to think over your offer and accept before any others come in. If you’re serious about buying a home, be prepared to move quickly when you find the perfect one.
Avoiding emotion makes you look like a firm and serious buyer. If you let the stress of buying a home take over, it could possibly jeopardize your chance of closing. Emotions also play into the budget when finding your “dream home”. Don’t get boxed into a price that’s above your comfort zone and budget. Be firm and don’t let your want to lock down on a home take over what you can afford. It may be the perfect home, but it has to be perfect financially too.
To ensure you buy the right property at the right price give our team a call now on 1300 117 561
SOUTHERN home buyers are flocking to the last affordable enclave of real estate, Brisbane’s property market.
Driven out of the housing market with exorbitant prices in Sydney, an overwhelming number of home buyers are turning their eye to the Sunshine state where prices have remained more stable.
Universal Buyers Agents Director Darren Piper said enquiries from Sydney have doubled in the past six months and the apartment and unit market is in hot demand.
Mr Piper said Sydney buyers are even stepping up to replace foreign buyers and local investors who been hit with negative sentiment around investor loans.
“Sydney buyers see great value in Brisbane, one of the last markets where property prices still afford opportunities to see great returns,” Mr Piper said.
“It’s not just investors either, a lot of enquires are coming from people who are looking to relocate to make the most of the cheaper cost of living.
“For many who have been battling the Sydney property market, buying property under a million dollars might sound like stuff of fairy tales, but in Brisbane where we have seen a large amount of apartment stock come online it is a reality.”
Mr Piper said now is the best time to snap up buying opportunities in the apartment market where buyers can secure property next in the heart of Brisbane for as low as $300k.
“There was a lot of scaremongering around the property market in Brisbane the last couple of years that may have scared a few interstate buyers away,” he said.
“But we are seeing those buyers returning in droves. Brisbane has had a consistent and stable housing market in comparison with the intense competition currently driving people out of Sydney’s market.
“Apartments have seen a bit uptick and with the right expertise, people are able to take advantage of the opportunities particularly now as we see prices in a lull.”
Another telling statistic driving the Brisbane market is also the ratio of median house price to average salary, which is running at as much as six times in Brisbane, according to the latest Demographia report, and as much as 12 times in Sydney.
Recent purchases for interstate investors:
17 Ellen Street, Wood point – Complete pack of townhouses
3/16 Cardross Street, Yeerongpilly – $376,000
208/33 Water street, Fortitude Valley – $362,500
201/28 Northcliffe Terrace, Surfers Paradise – $510,000
Universal Buyer’s Agents Darren Piper joins Kevin Turner from Real Estate Talk to discuss the startling news that people are making one of the biggest purchasing decisions of their life in under 60 minutes.
Click to listen to the full story with Kevin and Darren.
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