The delayed school opening dates alongside the ‘no boarder pass’ rules to Qld have definitely pumped up the Buyer numbers in the last weeks of January.
In my experience the end of January usually signals the market returning to a civilized manner. Ie kids are back at school, parents back to work. However, since COVID there is no normal, and for the last two weeks numbers at open homes for new listings, have been huge. I personally attended two newly listed properties in the same area and the agent reported there where 80 groups through the two properties on the Saturday, with one going to contract the first week, the other proceeding to auction.
In the past year high numbers of southerners have secured rentals in the area and are now confident enough to purchase, having found their preferred suburbs, thus these extra two weeks holiday have allowed them to put their plans into place.
Sale prices are still over the list price in most cases, with 9 out of 10 being a ‘multiple offers’ situation. Agents and Sellers are very keen for ‘clean contracts’. If you can offer a cash contract and longer settlement, you have a foot in the door. I always recommend a building and pest inspection if the agent hasn’t already completed one (the smart agents do).
