Heritage property aplenty in NSW's Illawarra district: HTW

Illawarra's heritage housing market is anything but basic with Californian bungalows and miner cottages dotted throughout the region accordding to analyst firm Herron Todd White.

Herron Todd White's recent heritage market review found around the Illawarra district, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven regions, have considerably more heritage housing precincts with prices varying due to their appeal and location.

According to HTW as they are generally located within close proximity of the CBD area or coastal regions, the values tend to be higher than outer areas, underpinned by a higher land content and value but don't appeal to all.

"There are costs and problems associated with restoration and upkeep and many buyers are seeking modern fixtures and fittings rather than heritage style. If a full restoration is to be undertaken the cost to complete such work to comply with local council regulations and rules will be higher than that required for non listed buildings. Therefore cost will not always equate to value added and unless located in a highly sought after inner area where capital values are rising, return on investment is not assured," HTW said.

"Attributes which make these types of dwellings desirable generally include proximity to good infrastructure and a liquid market. In villages such as Berry or Jamberoo there is also a pattern established where there are a group or precinct of such dwellings of the same ere which are all renovated or restored to much the same standard and they become the norm for period dwellings.

"The Southern Highlands residential property market has been increasing in both volume and price activity since late 2014. We saw a noticeable increase in activity by investors in 2015. The Highlands property market is heavily influenced by the Sydney property market with many buyers relocating from Sydney to the region. Now that Sydney has slowed and softened, the Highlands market, while currently still increasing, is also anticipated to slow."

HTW gave a recent example of a heritage listed dwelling which sold at the higher end of the scale in nearby Kiama. Rockleigh (above), a heritage listed circa 1860 Victorian style two storey dwelling in Bong Bong Street with northerly aspect and ocean and harbour views recently exchanged at around $1.1 million.