Toowoomba's residential property market stable but lacking consistency: HTW

Toowoomba's residential property market is stable but lacking consistency.

The Toowoomba residential property market has continued to remain steady throughout the first half of 2018 following a general decline since the peak of activity at the end of 2013, and although sales activity has been steady across the board, the market has continued to be multispeed and property specific, according to the June report form valuation firm Herron Todd White.

There has been little consistency with variations in sale prices and buyer interest across the established suburbs.

The report suggests that, the prestige market however, has been performing strongly, particularly in the eastern suburbs as has the upper end of the rural residential lifestyle market.

The median sale price has displayed some growth over the past 3 years, currently sitting at approximately $390,000 up from $375,000 in June 2015, the report noted.

"As of April 2018, there were approximately 1,740 houses and units listed for sale in postcode 4350 and with this is being near a 6 year high, it does not bode well for price growth in the short term." stated the HTW valuers

"The unit market has followed a similar trend to the housing market, with low sales volumes following the oversupply of unit product that became apparent throughout 2016."

Land sales volumes steadily increased in the 3 years between 2012 and 2015; peaking at 1,063 sales in 2015, while in 2016, 681 sales were recorded and then 677 in 2017.

"In contrast, vacancy rates across Toowoomba are approximately 2.3% as at April 2018, which is considered tight and below the balanced market level of 3%", noted the valuers at HTW.

"The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project under construction appears to have assisted in maintaining low vacancy rates, with many workers residing in the region."

The valuing firm forecasts that the low vacancy rate and substantial infrastructure projects in the pipeline may reignite interest in Toowoomba residential property from investors although the steady market conditions currently being experienced in the residential property market are expected to continue throughout the remainder of 2018.