Gold Coast property still below fair value: SQM

Louis Christopher, the managing director of SQM Research, reckons the Gold Coast has entered "a robust housing recovery." 

"There is no question right now that landlords are in charge of the Gold Coast market as vacancies have plummeted and rents have accelerated," Louis Christopher told Fairfax Media. 

His data shows low vacancy rates of under 2%.

There have been rent rises of up to 8% a year.

Mr Christopher said the Gold Coast had not yet seen its traditional building surge.

He also noted the market crash of 2009-13 had only modestly recovered until now, with prices still below fair value. 

"Back in 2010 the Gold Coast housing market suffered a perfect storm of events that created a major dwelling price crash.

"A lot of those events have now dissipated and right now, there are many favourable economic factors which are helping to improve the region. So we believe Gold Coast property investors are likely to enjoy good returns, both in rents and capital growth for up to the next three years."

SQM expects a rise of 7% to 11% in dwelling prices for 2016.