Home buyers unswayed by NBN

Buyers have not been discerning about whether potential homes are connected to the National Broadband Network or not, according to real estate agents in Western Sydney.

Director of real estate firm Harcourts, Andrew Chrysanthou told The Australian Financial Review that not one single buyer in western Sydney’s Blacktown had asked about whether a home was connected to the NBN or not.

The district is mid-way through a roll-out of Labor’s NBN.

“It hasn’t made any extra sales… It’s definitely not the talk of the town from people looking to buy or rent around here,” he said.

“There may be a bit of an impact in the future as it becomes a more widely used service, but even then I don’t think it will be a major selling point.”

Sky Property’s Riza Kamerakkas told The Australian Financial Review buyers were interested in rental returns and other property features ahead of the NBN.

“It’s not something unique, it’s not something you’re going to have and your neighbour’s not going to have,” he said.

“Blacktown is an an investor market, people are coming and thinking about rental returns not the NBN.”