Augustus, Hervey Bay sales pass the half-way mark

Strong buyer demand for Villa World’s Augustus project at Hervey Bay has pushed the masterplanned residential development past the half-way mark.

The 763-lot project has clocked more than 400 sales since its launch, driven sharply in recent months by a strong cohort of first-home buyers and retirees.

The latest sales run came ahead of the March 31 expiry of the $12,000 Hervey Bay Housing Affordability Grant, which has been complemented by the state government’s boosted first home owner’s grant of $20,000.

Villa World development manager Gary Hunter said the project has attracted consistent buyer interest over many years.

However the combination of the two government grants has generated an influx of buyers for the project.

“In recent months, we’ve seen record sales figures at Augustus from first-home buyers and retires alike,” Hunter said.

“Villa World has a great reputation in providing an affordable, quality product to market. The grant was just the icing on the cake.”

The latest sales have led first-home buyers to account for 70% of sales at Augustus, with 20% to retirees and only 10% to investors.

Sales have almost doubled in recent months with 33 contracts secured in the March quarter of 2017.

Augustus property consultant Ric King said sales momentum and figures have reflected the success of the government grants.

“Augustus has seen a clear upsurge in first-home buyers and retirees lapping up the savings from the two government grants,” King said.

It is just 4 kilometres from the Hervey Bay Esplanade and 13 kilometres from the airport.

The contemporary residences feature an extensive range of quality inclusions including stone kitchen bench tops, stainless steel appliances and they are NBN ready.

New homes are now selling from $337,000.

Villa World, an ASX-listed developer, is one of Australia’s largest housing providers with more than 40,000 people calling a Villa World address home.