SA’s beachside suburbs most in demand

The pandemic is pushing buyers to explore the state’s coastal suburbs. See if your suburb is on the list.

At a time when lockdowns and isolation periods are fast becoming the norm, living next to the beach is in high demand.

According to new data by realestate.com.au, buyers looking to make lifestyle changes are zeroing in on seaside suburbs, snapping up available homes in record time.

The data, which took into account suburbs with more than 10 sales in the last year, revealed O’Sullivan Beach with the greatest increase in demand, with searches for homes up by 37.9 per cent.

It is trailed by Moana, up by 36.9 per cent, followed by Maslin Beach, Osborne and Aldinga Beach, up by 34.3 per cent, 29.2 per cent and 28.5 per cent respectively.

When Toby Orchard first began looking for a house last year, he knew it had to be in a beachside suburb.

Toby Orchard bought a home in O'Sullivan Beach, SA’s most in-demand beachside suburb. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

The fist-home buyer found what he was looking for in O’Sullivan Beach.

“I was looking for an affordable beachside house and O’Sullivan Beach was last on the metro coast that I could get in,” said Mr Orchard who bought his three-bedroom house for $393,000.

“From the location to the prices, the suburb ticked all the boxes for me,” he said.

Demand for O’Sullivan Beach is also on the rise given the suburb being ranked as the most affordable beachside suburb, according to realestate.com.au data.

Timms Real Estate’s Jason Mills who sold Mr Orchards the property in June last year said that beachside properties in the area were indeed attracting buyers.

“There is growing interest in affordable beachside suburbs in areas like O’Sullivan Beach and Christies Beach. Given the rising demand, homes here will make for good investment as well,” Mr Mills said.

Further to the south, Moana is also experiencing unprecedented buyer interest.

Corey Michelmore of Raine & Horne, who recently listed a beachside property near Moana beach, said that the pandemic is pushing buyers outside the city fringe.

“Buyers are looking at lifestyle perks like more natural surroundings or a scenic coastline and Moana beach is one of the best beaches in Adelaide,” said Mr Michelmore.

“The commute from Adelaide CBD on the Southern Expressway is convenient as well,” he said.

In terms of price growth, Henley Beach South has recorded the highest price growth. The median house price here has increased to $1,300,000, up by 40.3 per cent.

Glenelg’s median was up 31.2 per cent, to $1,562,500, while Seaford homes were also up 30.7 per cent, to $493,500.

Coastal homes are also making quick sales. Port Willunga recorded the quickest sale times, selling on average within 22 days. Seacliff homes recorded an average time on market of 24 days, while Brighton, Port Noarlunga South and West Beach all sold in 35 days or fewer.