Hinter Wonderland
Many people that relocate to the Sunshine Coast are not looking for a Sea change but a Green change.
The hinterland of the Sunshine Coast features the spectacular Glasshouse Mountains, a series of steep-sided volcanic plugs. Many towns both small (you won’t find any traffic lights here) and large are dotted around the foothills of these natural wonders.
Known as the ‘railway towns’ most locations are still within a 30 minute drive the beach. Families and those looking to escape the ‘hustle and bustle’ of the tourist strip love the community feel, rolling green pastures and lush rainforest pockets that are the norm in these neighbourhoods. Along with the obvious drawcard of being in close proximity to the Brisbane rail line, and with prices on the staples of life increasing, many people want to become more self sufficient with water, electricity and food (even if only in a small way).
You can certainly buy more for your money, with hinterland properties offering larger allotment sizes ie 800m2 as your average size block. There are still properties in the low $300’s price point for first home buyers, with the median sale price as at December 2010 ranging from $390,000 in Beerwah to $449,000 in Cooran. Larger properties of 2 acres plus start around the $500,000 mark.
Capital Growth in the hinterland as shown in the REIQ data for the year 2010 saw all but two towns post a rise of between 0.4 and 13% over the past 12 months.
Woombye, a very picturesque town between Palmwoods and Nambour, recorded a notable increase of 12.1%. This hamlet offers mostly workers cottages in the township with smaller acreages in the outlying areas. The median price 2010 was $425,000.
Doonan with its proximity to Noosa, Peregian, Coolum and Sunshine Beach, plus the easy access to the Sunshine Coast Motorway and Bruce Highway increased 13%. Doonan offers acreage properties, some with fantastic coastal views. A wide variety of homes are on offer; low-set older brick homes through to ultra modern eco-friendly, architecturally up-to-date designer homes. The median price 2010 was $712,000.
Market Update
The first week of March showed renewed enthusiasm in the local market. Many agencies reported that rental inquires had doubled and numbers through ‘Open for Inspections’ had increased significantly. One Buderim agent reported 15 properties settled for the year to date, for a sales total of over $7,000,000. Auction results confirm that homes in the under $450,000 price range are consistently achieving positive results as first home buyers and investors alike respond to the RBA’s decision to stall interest rates and strong rental increases on existing dwellings due to the decrease in home loan applications and building approvals.
