Smart buyers will tap small election window

You couldn't get a house that says "Stanthorpe” more than one backing onto Quart Pot Creek.

LITTLE BEAUTY: Stanthorpe from Mt Marley. Picture: Steven Kasper

YOU couldn't get a house that says "Stanthorpe” more than one backing onto Quart Pot Creek.

Visitors on their Easter weekend drive would do well to take a look at some of the bargains and beauties on offer in the region's property market, said realtor David Schnitzerling of David Schnitzerling & Co.

Mr Schnitzerling said that, as usual, he has viewing appointments all weekend and his offerings range from a "cheapie” three-bedroom house on 1000sqm with an asking price of $137,000 all the way to an executive-style home on acreage for which the seller is seeking $990,000.

The home with direct access to Quart Pot Creek parklands is at 16 Allison St, a short stroll to Stanthorpe's main street.

Mr Schnitzerling said it was "a tough old market” but plenty of homes were for sale.

"Mostly people are coming here on a mission - they're coming here to look at one or two or three places,” he said.

Scott Mann, of CEC Mann & Co Real Estate, said he expected some inquiries during the Easter break but not many more than at other times.

Property sales in the past quarter were the highest in "six or seven years” but had recently slowed down, he said.

With the federal election looming, property investors were likely to be conservative and not spend until the new government is known.

"It slows off the investment side of things with an election, because we just don't know what's going to happen,” Mr Mann said.

"It's just that timing. This year at the moment it's very tough because it's very dry.”

He said the local property market had been "fantastic” in the past three to four months, with unit and house sales "bouncing off” each other.

"We've had record dollar sales since the beginning of January. It's the best quarter we've had probably in six, seven years.”

While the election would likely "stall” the market, that makes it a perfect time for buyers looking for a good deal to visit the region, according to Stanthorpe Real Estate director Logan Steele.

The residential sales market was generally doing well, he added.

Recently he'd noticed more young families looking to move here from outside the region for the Granite Belt lifestyle.

"The district's got a pretty good reputation for education and lifestyle, which is why we live here,” he said.

"You've got a safe, friendly community and it's a perfect place to bring your kids up in.”

The election causes most buyers to pause their hunt, so it's a good time to secure a great deal, Mr Steele said.

"You haven't got as much competition and if someone wants to sell to go onto something else, you can negotiate with an owner better.

"If there are a few buyers all at the one time, they're not going to negotiate very hard. No matter what you're selling, it's the same thing.”

Originally published as Smart buyers will tap small election window