The "Gold Coast Properties" Blog

State of Play at Week's End

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 03:35:00 GMT

This artilcle was published by the Gold Coast Bulletin on Sept 20th/21st 2008

Analysist says buy Sunland over Raptis!

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:28:00 GMT

This artilcle was published by the Gold Coast Bulletin on Sept 17th 2008

Subbies Back on Site At Raptis "Take Over Tower"

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:23:00 GMT

This artilcle was published by the Gold Coast Bulletin on Sept 17th 2008

Market Ripe for Buying

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 02:24:00 GMT

Home buyers are being urged to move quickly, with house prices across Queensland defying predictions of big drops and poised to take off again on the back of cuts to interest rates and stamp duty.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland figures for the June quarter, released today, show the industry weathered the effects of interest rate rises and big petrol price increases.
Median prices were steady across most of the state for the three months. Some areas – including the Gold and Sunshine coasts, Townsville and Mackay – registered falls, but Brisbane, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Redland continued to grow.

A 1 per cent rise in Brisbane took the median price to $495,000 for the quarter, overtaking the Gold Coast which had a 2.4 per cent dip tip $490,000.

“These results fly in the face of some commentators who had predicted doom and gloom and substantial price drops for property markets across the country,” REIQ chairman Peter McGrath said.

“Brisbane particularly, was an extremely pleasant surprise.”

“Considering what the consumer had to go through during that quarter – two interest rate rises and the filtering down of earlier interest increases, massive spiked in petrol prices and general negativity about the economy – the market has shown a lot of resilience.”
“It’s set a very important platform for the market to ease forward late this year as interest rates begin to come down. The message is simple: the market has bottomed in real terms, interest rates have stabilised. So if people have the financial capacity to enter the maker, now is the time to start looking to go forward.”
In the southeast Queensland the median house price for Ipswich was up 1.6 per cent to $320,000, Moreton Bay rose 0.7 per cent to $379,000 Redland was $450,000 (up 0.2 per cent) and the Sunshine Coast dipped 1.2 per cent to $464,500.

Mr McGrath said figures for the current quarter, up to the end of September, would also be flat or marginally lower due to a lag effect, but four “building blocks” were now in place for growth by year-end:

* The Reserve Bank’s decision on Tuesday to reduce the official interest rate by 0.25 per cent – the first cut in seven years.
* Major bank’s passing the cut on immediately to customers.
* The removal of stamp duty on the properties worth up to $500,000 from the start of this month should encourage first home buyers back. The proportion of first-time purchases, usually about to 20 per cent of the total, had slipped to 17 per cent.
* The flattening of prices in the June quarter had given prospective buyers some breathing space.

“They haven’t been chasing their tails with big price increases as they tried to save,” Mr McGrath said.
The continuing mining boom and strong migration, especially from overseas, to Queensland underpinned the ability to escape the big falls that had been feared.

And results for the 12 months to end of June show strong growth, with prices across most of SEQ and major regional centres climbing between 10 and 20 percent, Logan 17.5 per cent, Moreton Bay 15.6 per cent, Gold Coast 13.6 per cent and Sunshine Coast 12.3 per cent.
With superannuation funds reporting their worst losses in two decades and the share market down 25 per cent for the year, Mr McGrath said the rise in house values was impressive. In the past decade, the Queensland median house price has almost tripled from $135,000 to $390,000.
Property analyst Michael Matusik says returns on residential houses have outstripped all other major investment options over 10 years and he predicts property prices will grow 8-10 per cent per annum over the next three years.
Posted by Ascent Property Investment at 9:36 PM

State Population to hit 8 Million!

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Mon, 1 Sep 2008 02:26:00 GMT

The Expanding State

11:52a.m. 1st September 2008

| AAP

Queensland’s population is expected to reach eight million in under 50 years, a new report predicts.

The state’s population will increase from 4.1 million in 2006 to almost six million within 20 years, according to the report titled Population Projections to 2056: Queensland Statistical Divisions.

It will hit the eight million mark by 2056.

Premier Anna Bligh said it was proof the state would remain Australia’s economic powerhouse.

“A decade of solid business growth, record government investment in infrastructure and services, and improvements to productivity mean the state has evolved as a major player on the national and world stage,” Ms Bligh said.

The report, released today, also confirms the state’s population is ageing with the number of older Queenslanders expected to more than double by 2031.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser said Queensland was also in the grips of a baby boom with the number of children projected to increase by 33 per cent to 1.1 million.

“Both of these factors need to be taken into account when planning for the future and the future of our workforce,” Mr Fraser said.

The government has urged local councils to use the data, available from the Queensland Treasury, in their planning.

Gold Coast property sales to stay slow: report

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Tue, 5 Aug 2008 10:28:00 GMT

Gold Coast property sales to stay slow: report

5 August 2008 - 9:37am | Source: ABC

A report on the Gold Coast property market says sales are likely to continue to be slow for the next year.

In its latest monthly review, Herron Todd White valuers say demand has eased and looks set to remain subdued.
One of the firm's directors, Paul Jones, says neither buyers nor sellers are rushing into the market.
"Activity is certainly down, auction clearance rates are reduced and certainly the number of instructions for valuations have decreased," he said.
"It has slowed down since the beginning of the year and we think it is going to be a slow market for the next 12 or 18 months."

in your area now! View photos of singles

Bargain Buys as Homes Market Goes off the Boil!

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Mon, 4 Aug 2008 04:07:00 GMT

This news article appeared in the Gold Coast Bulletin Saturday 4th of August 2008

Growth goes on despite gloom!

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Fri, 1 Aug 2008 03:31:00 GMT

This was an article that appeared in the "Gold Coast Bulletin", Tuesday July 22nd 2008

Strong fundamentals for Gold Coast property

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:41:00 GMT

By Martin Rogers July 16, 2008 09:24am

* 141 new homes are needed a week to meet demand in the Gold Coast
* Capital growth prospects are good over the medium and long term
* More information at the Gold Coast Bulletin

WHILE the most enthusiastic and optimistic apologists for Gold Coast real estate accept that the market is doing it tough, most insist the outlook is bright.

That is a message echoed in The Gold Coast Bulletin Property and Suburb Guide which is out today.

The guide looks at every Gold Coast and Tweed suburb and explains the rises and falls in property prices for houses, units and land.

It's all about fundamentals, according to RP Data national research director Tim Lawless, one of the nation’s top property analysts.

"Despite the current soft conditions, the solid fundamentals are likely to remain a positive driver of capital growth over the medium and long term,'' he told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Over the past calendar year the population of the Coast increased by 18,000 new residents, creating a demand for 7360 new dwellings - 141 new homes a week.

"The centrally located suburbs positioned along the Pacific Motorway account for over half the total population growth,'' said Mr Lawless.

"With such a strong rate of growth, demand remains exceptionally strong and is a positive sign for the market.''

The overall performance of the Coast, the best locations and bargain buys are all analysed in depth in a publication that has established itself as the investor and home owner’s bible over the last few years.

The Gold Coast

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 04:02:00 GMT

Mention the Gold Coast region and various images come to mind... stunning beaches, exciting theme parks, sun-kissed locals, sophisticated style, the list goes on. The Gold Coast truly offers something for everyone.

It's a holiday destination of wonderful contrasts. From the sophistication of Main Beach, the glamour of Surfers Paradise, to the quiet beachside towns and World Heritage listed rainforests of the hinterland...the Gold Coast is teeming with choice. Add this to the non-stop energy of the theme parks and a 70 km coastline with more than 40 patrolled beaches, and you've got an idyllic holiday destination.

The beachfront esplanades of Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta invite you to sit back, relax and soak up the holiday atmosphere. While the Gold Coast hinterland, you'll feel as though you're miles away from everything. Explore quaint mountain villages and natural escapes in the World Heritage listed Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves.

So come experience the contagious excitement, glorious weather and natural beauty of the Gold Coast. It's where you'll want to return over and over again.

Toil and Tourism Go Hand in Hand!

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:12:00 GMT

This article appeared in the Gold Coast Bulletin on the 17th April 2008.

Visitors in 3 Billion Spree!

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:06:00 GMT

This article appeared in the Gold Coast Bulletin on the weekend of the 15th/16th March 2008.

Coast Rents Top Sydney!

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Sat, 5 Apr 2008 01:25:00 GMT

Our Sky is the Limit!

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Fri, 4 Apr 2008 09:28:00 GMT

This article appeared in the Gold Coast Bulletin on the 4th April 2008.

Coast Housing Market Resilient

mike@mikeblayden.com (Mike Blayden) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:22:00 GMT

This article appeared in the Gold Coast Bulletin on the 28th February 2008.