Top schools driving top suburbs in property sales stakes

PROPERTY sales are being driven by proximity to popular schools and the lure of the lifestyle in the hub of the Sunshine Coast.

PROPERTY sales are being driven by proximity to popular schools and the lure of the lifestyle in the hub of the Sunshine Coast.

Mountain Creek is among the top selling suburbs for houses in the September quarter as families make education a priority when looking for a place to settle.

There were 921 house sales on the Sunshine Coast for the September quarter and 532 units.

Stewart Property director Vicki Stewart said Mountain Creek was selling well because it had one of the most popular schools in the area.

"I'm dealing with people who have $1 million to spend and their only instruction is it has to be in the Mountain Creek school zone," she said.

Homes in Buderim and Nambour were also in demand during the September quarter.

What's your house worth? Find out with our interactive tool

Ms Stewart said Buderim's high volume of sales reflected the large area its postcode covered and that it was an extremely well-recognised suburb to interstate buyers. The Nambour market was more price-driven.

"The volume of sales in Nambour reflects the fact that you can still get budget homes there," she said.

Maroochydore and Mooloolaba led the way in unit sales for the quarter and Ms Stewart said these areas remained in high demand because of their desirable locations.

"In Mooloolaba you can't get enough houses and units are selling again because it's the hub of the coast," she said.

She is seeing people selling their properties for "top dollar" in southern states and moving to the Sunshine Coast for the lifestyle.

"They can buy a great home here and still put a couple of hundred thousand in their super," she said.

Sales activity was up 6% for the quarter and REIQ Sunshine Coast chair Amber Werchon said buyers could expect "more of a good thing" and sustainable growth this year.

"I think the market will continue with confidence the way that is has been," she said.

Ms Werchon said there had been a lot of exciting progress in development and infrastructure that would lead to job creation and population growth.

"The Sunshine Coast University Hospital is the obvious one and then there's a lot of other development around the hospital," she said.

She flagged plans for the Maroochydore CBD and town centre in Caloundra South as other projects set to have an impact on real estate.