New report shows strong suburbs, price growth

AFTER a lengthy downturn, northern beaches properties have see a huge increase in sales price

Alasdair Ward and Hazel Harries-Jones who are selling their home at 15 Muldoon Court, Eimeo. Picture: Navarone Farrell

EXCLUSIVE: Real estate north of the river is setting the pace, with sellers cashing in $40,000 more than this time last year, according to the latest figures.

A new CoreLogic Market Trends report shows that the Mackay region has seen 1.5 per cent total growth, up to $340,000 in the past year, but the highest proportion is happening over the Pioneer.

Andergrove leads the charge, with a 16.2 per cent growth in median sales price in the past year, up to $340,000 with 81 properties changing hands.

Nipping at its heels are North Mackay ($270,000), Seaforth ($360,000) and Hay Point ($329,000) which have all seen a 12.5 per cent growth in sales price, followed by Eimeo ($369,000) at 8.8 per cent.

Explore Property agent Stacy Brand said that the northern suburbs, especially the beaches, were family friendly and great buying for first homebuyers, which has helped drive current growth.

Agents say that properties like 15 Muldoon Court, Eimeo in the $500,000 plus range are starting to move again.

"Homes priced between $300,000 and $400,000 are very affordable and that makes up a large portion of our buyers, just on affordability,” she said.

"There were quite a few first homebuyers a few years ago and there's still some now, we've seen more first homebuyers entering because the market is at an affordable price.”

Ms Brand said the amenities are the main drawcards - referring to the beaches, private and public schools, and expanding shopping centres.

She also noted that families were looking to buy up bigger homes.

"Sales in the $500,000 plus and that point in our market are moving along quite nicely now,” she said.

"If we had have gone back a few years ago that end of the market was sitting for some time, buyers just weren't confident and didn't want to over commit themselves.”

Ms Brand said that the Blacks Beach figures were surprising, dropping 7.4 per cent in sales price in the past year, down to $315,000, as she has seen small pockets moving very well, but was pleased with growth in Eimeo.

15 Muldoon Court, Eimeo is on the market for $547,000 with Explore Property.

Eimeo couple Alasdair Ward and Hazel Harries-Jones are cashing in with the market turnaround.

Their four-bedroom, two-bathroom family home, with a pool and a big garage at 15 Muldoon Court, Eimeo is on the market for offers more than $547,000.

Alasdair Ward and Hazel Harries-Jones who are selling their home at 15 Muldoon Court, Eimeo. Picture: Navarone Farrell

Mr Ward said he and his wife planned to downsize to Airlie Beach, but that they had originally bought in Eimeo for its facilities.

"It (the market) dropped massively and now it's come back.

"Even from when we spoke to estate agents last year when we started looking to sell,” he said.

"My doctor is superb, the best dentist I've ever had, I've got Coles, a Woolworths, a McDonalds if you're into that and you're out of town but you still have a fuel station and all the things you would really like.

"You can walk out of the back gate and you can be down on Blacks Beach in three or four minutes.”

The CoreLogic figures also show that Shoal Point is Mackay's most expensive suburb with a median sales price of $463,500, and it is tightly held, with only 12 sales in the past year.

Runner-up is Glenella at $446,250 and 53 sales on the books, according to the latest figures.

Originally published as New report shows strong suburbs, price growth