NSW'S Port Macquarie offers best capital growth in sub $500,000 property range: HTW

If you're looking to park the 'lazy half-million' in NSW Mid North Coast, it won't go as far as the previous years, according to property valuation firm Herron Todd White in their July 2016 residential market report on dwellings in the sub $500,000 range.

Port Macquarie particularly has limited stock available in this price range compared to last year and generally only includes properties such as villas or units, three-bedroom dwellings and smaller older style four-bedroom dwellings, says the report.

Combined with the limited stock and another drop in interest rates in early May the market has remained buoyant with more buyers than sellers. There are now limited areas of Port Macquarie where these sub $500,000 properties can be found for purchase. Areas include Flynns Beach, Clifton and the outer western fringes of the township. Dwellings in this price bracket are becoming rare within other areas of Port Macquarie and are therefore being sold very quickly whenever they come on the market. Rents have eased slightly, however current high demand is evident around the CBD, hospital and Charles Stuart University areas.

"We note that there are several student accommodation style developments currently under construction within these areas and once complete, will provide good supply and therefore rental growth may slow," say HTW.

HTW considers the following areas as solid investment:

• Good quality older villas or lower end villa complexes, consisting of two villas sold as in one line, have been popular with investors producing an almost positively geared return.

• Three- or four-bedroom older homes on the eastern side of Port Macquarie or near the CBD, around the $450,000 to $550,000 mark, are also producing good returns in most instances and have excellent potential for future capital growth.

• New house and land packages in the outer and western regions of Port Macquarie and nearby towns and villages can be purchased between $450,000 and $550,000. While theses dwellings are not located within the main stream capital growth area, tax depreciation is making up the shortfall for the prudent buyer.

Port Macquarie on the mid north coast still has the highest rates for capital growth and rental returns. The smaller regional and coastal towns and villages have also showed signs of slowing with properties remaining on the market longer and purchase prices not being achieved. However, rental returns for the above areas remain firm with limited vacancies.

Property Observer found a four-bedroom house at 4 Clifton Drive, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444 (above) recently sold for $390,000.