Looking back, looking ahead in Noosa

THERE is perhaps nothing better than the filtered views of Laguna Bay than those enjoyed from Little Cove.

NEVER-ENDING GLORY: Looking towards Laguna Bay and Hastings St from Noosa National Park. Picture: Picasa

SITTING at Little Cove on Saturday, chatting. It's great what you can learn that way.

I'm at an open home with Luke Chen of Dowling Neylan Real Estate. One of those having a look is a lady who lived in Little Cove in the 1970s.

We talk about those times. How good they were. The beaches, the waves you virtually had to yourself.

We agreed that Noosa has changed over those years but that it is still oh so beautiful.

And speaking with Luke, who specialises in the Little Cove-Hastings Street area, he believes there is probably no better place for those thinking of moving from a city to somewhere with such natural appeal.

While the Noosa property market took a slight breath in the lead-up to Christmas, the momentum generated in the second half of 2016 has certainly continued right from Boxing Day.

"I've been encouraged by the conversations with investors from the capital cities, who are looking to invest here as they perceive more 'legs' in our market than the over-cooked city markets,'' Luke tells me.

"What has been surprising is the number of local investors looking to buy, particularly for unmanaged buildings in Noosaville.

"I'm seeing home owners planning ahead and securing smaller units close to the river where they can have a small pet, and walk easily for coffee and dining.

"Noosaville also appeals to this sector because of the pretty walks ... with no hills.''

Closer to Noosa Heads, Luke has found Brisbane families buying weekend places in the $500,000-$1.0m range on Noosa Sound.

Meanwhile Little Cove still attracts ex-pat Australians from Asia and the Middle East.

It's a mix of what they are looking for - houses, apartments, downsizing, position, upgrading, security, privacy, lifestyle.

"But always in the premium positions,'' Luke says.

"The premium positions were spoken for 20-30years ago ... so these buyers are happy to buy older buildings that will need work in the next 10 years.''

Their Noosa love affair started due to the standard set by the town's fathers. Those who controlled development, the high quality of street-scaping and parks.

"They also sense this is a relatively safe destination by global measures,'' Luke concluded.