BILINGA, Merrimac and Varsity Lakes are among the Gold Coast’s fastest-selling suburbs, with some buyers bringing signed contracts to inspections in an effort to secure a sale.
Core Logic RP Data figures from the 12 months to October show houses in Bilinga stay on the market for an average of 41 days, the shortest period in the region.
PRD Nationwide agent Donna Engwirda [correct] said it was no surprise Bilinga had the lowest days on market figure on the Coast as there were only a few well-priced waterfront homes available.
HOT ‘NEW’ HOME DECOR TREND
LEAST DISCOUNTED GC PROPERTY AREAS
“There is a lot of inquiry as soon as you list a property and I think that is because we have some of the cheapest beachfront homes on the Coast and there is only a small pocket of waterfront area in Bilinga,” she said.
Ray White Tugun selling principal John Parkes said there were only about 40 properties on the market at Bilinga right now.
“We don’t have a huge number of houses here and they are very tightly held, so whenever they go on the market, they go really quickly,” he said.
Houses in the central suburb of Varsity Lakes are being snapped up in just 46 days, while homes are on the market for an average of 47 days in Merrimac.
Ray White Robina sales agent Jon Paul said he recently had 35 people inspect a home in Varsity Lakes in one week.
“On average, I take about 15 groups through a home on a Saturday and about four through during the week in Varsity but the last property I sold we had 35 people through in the first week and that’s not uncommon,” he said.
“People are really savvy right now.
“Some come to open homes with contracts and the other day a lady walked into the office after an inspection with a signed contract.
“It does get really competitive and I think that’s why places don’t stay on the market long.
“If we have someone interested, I tell them a verbal offer isn’t enough because someone will likely come in with a signed contract and they’ll miss out.”
Melissa Rankin and her husband Kevin bought a property at Varsity Lakes through Mr Paul last year.
Mrs Rankin said they bought the property before it hit the market, after looking at a number of other homes in the area.
“We really wanted to move to the area and were after a house with an home office attached, so when we found out this was going to go on the market, we wanted to get in before it sold because we knew it was a sought-after area and type of home,” she said.
Mr Paul also attributed properties selling quickly to the fact that Varsity Lakes was well located with nearby schools and amenities.
Burleigh Heads and Currumbin were also among the top five suburbs where houses sold the fastest, with properties sitting on the market for an average of 53 and 55 days respectively.
Originally Published On: http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/