Alice Springs' house prices creating chances for first home buyers: HTW

After several months of uncertainty and low confidence levels in the Alice Springs residential space, it is likely the market should see further stabilisation throughout 2017, according to HTW’s February 2017 update.

The valuation firm says the unit market has seen the most volatility and experienced two years of price reductions.

For this segment, that has reduced the 10-year compound annual growth rate for median prices for this segment to 4.06% in the December quarter 2016 from 7.57% in the same period in December 2014.

The house segment for the December quarter indicated a 10-year compound annual growth rate of 5.29% down from 6.15%.

“Of greatest interest will be the older style, circa 1980s two bedroom unit segment which has been hardest hit with significant price drops of up to 30% over 2014 and 2015 from the highs of 2010 and 2011,” says HTW.

“We have seen a few more sales in this segment (unit sales were at 158 in the year to December 2016, up from 134 in the previous period) providing some indication that some level of confidence is returning.

“We note that while this segment should still be treated with caution for investors with rent levels still showing reductions, for first home buyers, price levels in some cases are at 2009 levels, showing a great opportunity to enter the market.”

A four bedroom house at 24 The Fairway, Alice Springs (above) has been listed for over $1,000,000.

Similarly a two bedroom house at 15 Tietkins Avenue, Alice Springs (below) was sold for $427,000.