Queensland to rank among best state markets in 2019

Queensland to rank among best state markets in 2019
Jonathan ChancellorDecember 17, 2020

Queensland's housing markets are expected to rank among the best performing across Australia during 2019 as they have the key factors that drive growth – liveability, affordability, booming infrastructure and enhanced economic prospects.

The Sunshine State leads the nation when it comes to confidence in residential property, as the gears shift from recovery to rising prices.

The NAB Residential Property Index recently tipped Queensland house prices will grow the fastest of the nation over the next two years.

The survey of more than 300 property professionals confirmed rising sentiment around the Queensland markets. And these property professionals also saw Queensland leading the way when it comes to rental growth.

South East Queensland is tipped to be the prime beneficiary of Sydney and Melbourne’s property slowdown, with the state possibly set to return to its place as Australia’s No 1 destination for interstate migration, as more families and downsizers from the southern cities cash-in for a lifestyle in the sun.

2018 saw strong price growth across Queensland, from suburbs of Brisbane to the coastal localities.

Economic growth and jobs now assisting the property market’s performance as Queensland emerges from the shadow of the mining downturn. 

It is the value gap between the East coast capitals that makes the move compelling for many.

The value gap is the largest it has ever been between Brisbane and Melbourne and the largest in 15 years with Sydney, according to CoreLogic.

A typical house in Brisbane is around $393,000 cheaper than Sydney and $227,000 cheaper than Melbourne, with Brisbane's median sitting at $542,000.

Observers suggest this affordability, coupled with positive economic signs, means Queensland is primed for future growth. 

The increasing opportunity to work remotely, having set up a home business, or taking up a new job in Queensland is a do-able option.

Brisbane's median house price sits at new highs, after posting a 2.3 percent increase in the September quarter, with the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) CEO Antonia Mercorella saying the strength of growth proved that Queensland real estate was a good investment and could be relied upon to deliver capital growth.

“While other markets around the country are struggling in the face of tightened lending criteria and cooling investor appetite, the southeast corner of Queensland continues to deliver steady, sustainable growth,” Mercorella said.

“Queensland’s economy is proving itself to be a good performer, against a backdrop of national gloom, with new jobs bringing population growth and demand for housing."

The REIQ found coastal Queensland locations ranking as the state's strongest performers during 2018.

These included Mackay's housing market which has come back from the mining downturn to post 5.6 percent annual growth in its median house price, according to the REIQ's late 2018 figures.

"We are confident this growth can continue for the moment," the REIQ advised.

The region has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.3 percent, while the population is growing as jobs attract workers back to the region and the rental market is one of the tightest in the state with just 0.9 per cent vacancy.

With a $340,000 median house price, Mackay is still one of the most affordable coastal districts, with prices still at levels below the peak of the mining boom five years ago.

The tightening of bank lending standards has been seen across Queensland, as noted by the latest SEQ report by Ray White on house and land sales.

Despite this there has been an increase in house and land package prices, up 7.8 percent in Brisbane, up 5.05 percent on the Gold Coast sales and 4.99 percent on the Sunshine Coast where house and land package are a popular way to create a new start.

Estate agent John McGrath noted recently that Queensland’s top two regional performers were the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast due to rising demand from interstate home owners and investors. 

One of McGrath's pinpointed suburb's to look out for in 2019 was Pimpama, in the northern part of the Gold Coast.

Pimpama recorded Queensland’s fastest population growth at 31 percent in FY17, with many enthusiastically buying or building brand new homes.

"Pimpama is affordable with a median house price of $475,000 and is located within the rapidly developing northern Gold Coast region along the M1 corridor," McGrath said.

The $100 million Pimpama City Shopping Centre opened in 2018 and the $56 million Northern Gold Coast Sports and Community Precinct is set to open in 2020.

There's also plans for a new train station to better connect Pimpama to Surfers Paradise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The economic forecaster BIS Oxford Economics concluded Brisbane will lead the mainland capitals with price growth.

 

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Jonathan Chancellor

Jonathan Chancellor is one of Australia's most respected property journalists, having been at the top of the game since the early 1980s. Jonathan co-founded the property industry website Property Observer and has written for national and international publications.

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