IN BRIEF

Activity has increased in the Brisbane CBD by 33% during the September half year.

Median unit price has softened by $18,000 to record a final median price of $412,000.

Compared to other precincts around Brisbane, CBD rental prices remain high.

Brisbane units achieved an average annual capital growth of 5.97% per annum.

IN BRIEF

Median price for the house and unit markets has softened but the outlook is positive.

Sales activity has recovered for both houses and units after experiencing decreased demand following the economic uncertainty which unfolded in 2008.

Capital Growth for the house and unit markets has been strong, recording 11.5% per annum and 7.5% per annum.

IN BRIEF

Beenleigh has recorded a very strong population growth rate of 2.9% from June 2008 to June 2009.

The median sale price for houses in the region increased in recent months, closing the March 2010 six month period at $350,000, culminated from a total of 234 transactions.

The median sale price for units closed the March 2010 six month period at $296,950, culminated from 54 transactions.

The purpose of this Property Watch report is to assess suburbs of Suburbs of Brisbane that have the potential to perform over the coming year. Suburbs have been chosen based on current pricing levels,infrastructure property trends, access to amenity and other factors. In addition, our hotspot picks from the past year were analysed to see how they performed. Last year’s ‘Hotspots’ report suggested that it would be a year of consolidation for some and strategic positioning for others. As confidence left the market, so too did demand for property.

The Brisbane Inner City Unit Resales report is based on a study of all settled unit resales in Brisbane’s inner city suburbs (within 4kms of the CBD) over a 29-year period. Resales are classified as those sales which occur after the initial sales of a unit within a development. Only resales that incurred a greater hold time of one year plus has been included in this report.

The Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA) boasts the largest population for any Local Government Area within Australia. Also known as the “River City”, Brisbane has developed a number of suburban centres such as Toowong, Chermside and Indooroopilly which allow residents who are distanced from the Brisbane CBD access to employment, strong amenity and public transport.

Over the years, Brisbane has developed distinct cultural and entertainment precincts such as New Farm, Fortitude Valley and West End, providing a unique ambience supported by restaurants, boutique cafes and shopping alternatives. Within the CBD there are a number of iconic congregative public locations including the popular Queens Street Mall, Roma Street Parklands and Botanical Gardens. These areas not only serve as landmarks but also have a recreational function, providing open space for gatherings and organised events.

Buderim is a unique suburb set upon a mountain plateau behind the coastline suburbs of Maroochydore and Mooloolaba. Offering expansive ocean and hinterland views, Buderim is understood to be one of the Sunshine Coast’s premium inland suburbs. Heavily family orientated and maintaining a strong community mindset, Buderim has managed to savor the charms of past years.

The quiet and safe community vibe, mixed with the convenience of close proximity to two of the Sunshine Coast’s major hubs is a combination that is in rapidly growing demand. This sort‐after and unique aspect of Buderim will no doubt ensure the continued appreciation of real estate values in the region for years to come.

IN BRIEF

Median price growth for the house and unit markets has been slight but positive.

Sales activity has increased for both house and units after experiencing lulls attributable to the GFC.

Capital Growth for the house and unit markets have been very positive recording 9.68% per annum and 9.9% per annum.

IN BRIEF

The house market has outperformed the unit market in terms of average annual capital growth sustaining 6.8% per annum while units achieved 5.7% per annum over the most recent period.

For the six months to September 2009, median price for houses has registered $385,000 while units have recorded $235,000.

The house and unit market have both recorded increased sales activity from the six month period to September 2008.

The following report is an analysis of the current property trends and performance of Caloundra and its neighbouring beachside suburbs of Battery Hill, Dicky Beach, Aroona, Little Mountain, Moffat Beach, Shelly Beach, Kings Beach, Caloundra West, Pelican Waters and Golden Beach. For the purpose of this report the Caloundra Coast area will consist of the suburbs listed above.

Caloundra Central is currently a suburb in transition; adapting from the sleepy, tourism based, surf town of past into a thriving business precinct, offering excellent potential for growth. Caloundra promises to becoming the southern, major business district of the Sunshine Coast. Residents of the surrounding Caloundra suburbs can now enjoy living in this picturesque beachside community whilst benefiting from the potential for business growth and expanding employment opportunities.

The following report is an analysis of the current property trends and performance of Coolum and the Maroochy North Shore precinct. The region contains the ten coastal suburbs of Peregian Beach, Peregian Springs, Coolum Beach, Point Arkwright, Yaroomba, Mount Coolum, Marcoola, Mudjimba, Pacific Paradise and Twin Waters.

IN BRIEF

Total foreign investment in Queensland residential Queensland Residential Property – total foreign investment property for the 2008/09 financial year amounted to $407,657,433.

The largest foreign buyers of residential property in Queensland during the 2008/09 year were from the United Kingdom, spending $68,192,307.

The Queensland Local Authority which received the most foreign spending for 2008/09 was the Gold Coast with $185,134,631.

Located approximately 500 kilometres north of Brisbane, the Gladstone Local Government Area (LGA) runs parallel to the Great Barrier Reef, which has impressive coral cays and reefs found throughout the Swain Reefs, Capricorn and Bunker Groups. It also provides many picturesque natural parks, such as the Broadwater Conservation Park and claims the highest boat ownerships of any community within Australia.

IN BRIEF

Beachfront house sales at Mermaid Beach recorded an average price of $10 million during 2009.

Riverfront house sales on the Gold Coast recorded an average price of $2.2 million during 2009.

Paradise Waters recorded the highest average price of the 12 riverfront suburbs analysed reaching an average of $4.2 million.

Detailed list of Gold Coast facts and figures.

The purpose of this Property Watch report is to assess suburbs on the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales that have the potential to perform positively over the coming year. Suburbs have been chosen based on current pricing levels, infrastructure, current property trends, access to amenities and other factors. In addition, our Hot Spot picks from 2009 have been analysed to check their performance.

This report is based on a study of all high rise apartment buildings on the Gold Coast. The report analyses 1,830 settled sales which have occurred at one million dollars and above and includes original developer stock plus all subsequent resales between January 1997 and the end of 2008 along with preliminary figures for 2009. In this report we look at the volume of sales, where they have occurred, price points and capital growth.

IN BRIEF

The Gold Coast house market achieved an average annual capital growth of 8.4% per annum, while units recorded 4.9% per annum growth.

Sales activity for both houses and units has contracted significantly by 25% and 23% respectively over the June 2010 six months.

Both markets have been buoyed slightly by top end transactions, with the majority of the sales softening occurring within the sub $500,000 market for houses and sub $400,000 market for units.

The following Property Watch evaluates the house and unit market for the Maroochy region and highlights the performance of the Sunshine Coast’s ‘Golden Triangle’ for the six month period ending September 2009. The Golden Triangle comprises of the three beachside suburbs of Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba, which together represent the economic and social hub of the Sunshine Coast.

While maintaining this status, the Golden Triangle continues to epitomise the relaxed living and beautiful beaches that the Sunshine Coast is so famous for. This region offers the highly sought after combination of financial and lifestyle investment opportunities.

The following report is an analysis of the current property trends and performance of Gympie and its direct neighbouring suburbs of Araluen, Victory Heights, East Deep Creek, Monkland, Southside, Widgee Crossing and Two Mile.