North Coast residential market driven by low interest rates and lack of stock: HTW

The strongest locations on the NSW mid north coast for residential markets are generally the larger regional towns including Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Forster and Tuncurry, according to Herron Todd White’s latest report.

The property valuation firm says that pockets within the Port Macquarie region include established coastal areas as well as coastal villages immediately south such as Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills.

These areas are a mixture of older homes that have been either renovated or not and new homes either constructed or under construction (especially in the southern villages).

All of these areas are within close proximity of the beaches and local services.

HTW states investors can expect three bedroom homes to cost half a million dollars.

“Entry points for houses within these areas range from $500,000 for a standard 3-bedroom home to $750,000 for something that may have ocean or golf course views or is above average.

A three bedroom house at 18 Newmarket Grove, Port Macquarie (above) has been listed for $498,500.

Similarly a three bedroom house at 5 Carawa Street, Forster (below) has been listed for $510,000.

This is well above prices in 2014 when the entry point would have been in the low $400,000 range.

Land sales within the new residential subdivisions on the outer fringes of Port Macquarie at Sovereign Hills and surrounding areas are being sold quickly with demand outstripping construction at present.

With the current fast paced rate of sale and no further large scale residential developments for release in the immediate future, land and house prices are expected to continue to increase.

This domino effect will also fuel demand and most likely increase land prices in other subdivisions in other regional towns as people look to these areas for more reasonable pricing,” the report advised.

HTW notes that unit sales are increasing, perhaps to allow investors or first home owners an opportunity to enter the market.

“The most keenly sought after properties are family friendly dwellings, either houses or large villas, either renovated or un-renovated in areas throughout the mid north coast.

However as house property prices increase we have noticed an increase in unit sales, allowing the investor or first home owner the opportunity of entering the market at the lower end,” the report stated.

HTW says that lack of stocks and low interest rates are the primary drivers of the market.

“Strong demand, lack of available stock for sale and low interest rates appear to be the major drivers of the local real estate market and are causing rising housing prices throughout most of the mid north coast,” the report stated.

Is it sustainable asks HTW.

“That is the key question at present.

As banks increase interest rates for investment property loans we may see a slight slowing in this sector.

However it is likely that owner-occupiers will take up any slack in demand, thus keeping the market moving.

Barring any major downturn in the overall economy, the continuing rising demand and increasing prices should allow the mid north coast market to remain strong over the coming months,” the report stated.