Property Positivity Hits One-Year Low
Market sentiment hasn’t been so dour since covid related lockdowns.
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Despite the ascendant housing prices across the nation’s capitals, new data suggests less than half of Australians believe now is a good time to buy property.
According to financial comparison website Finder, and its ‘consumer sentiment tracker’ – which analyses data from more than 24,000 Australians for 24 consecutive month – shows the end of April saw home-buying sentiment reach its lowest point since COVID-related lockdowns begun last year.
Further, Finder’s property positivity index sits at 49%, only 7% higher than April 2020’s low of 42%.
More recently, a record-high number of people (67%) thought it was a good time to buy in December 2020, according to the data.
“As lockdowns rolled out across Australia and open house inspections declined, Finder’s Property Positivity Index nosedived only to recover again as the housing market sprang back to life,” said Finder’s head of consumer research Graham Cooke.
“Both the rock-bottom cash rate and FOMO have turbo-charged prices but fears of a property bubble are making many Aussies pessimistic that now is the time to buy,” added Mr Cooke.
Although positivity surrounding property is at a year low, 74% of those surveyed believe property prices in their area would rise over the next 12 months – up from 24% from April 2020.
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This home has all the conveniences of modern living set in a dramatic landscape
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Plenty of people are looking to get away from it all. But most are reluctant to give up the conveniences and small luxuries of modern living.
This split-level property at 166 Westwood Street, Bridport on the north coast of Tasmania offers both, with direct access to a stunning coastline as well as easy living in a three-bedroom, Hamptons-style home. Just a 10-minute walk from Mermaids Beach in the Granite Point dress circle, the house on a 1206sqm site is a two-hour drive from Devonport and the Spirit of Tasmania terminal port.
Central to the floorplan is a generous, north facing open plan living space with raked ceilings and wraparound bay windows leading onto a sun-filled deck via sliding doors.
Entry is via a spacious reception area with integrated hall table and storage cupboard. A short hallway offers access to the master suite to the right and secondary bedrooms to the left, or through to the open plan living area to the rear.
The master suite includes a built-in robe and stylish, semi open ensuite. Sliding doors lead onto the split level deck, with a spa on the lower side to provide privacy.
The well-appointed kitchen includes a large butler’s pantry, as well as an island bench and bar area with finishes such as Carrara marble chosen to blend seamlessly into the lounge and dining area. A stone fireplace is the main focal point in this room, while ducted heating and aircon ensure that thermal comfort is maintained all year round.
At 334sqm, the house is large enough to provide room for family and friends when required, bt cosy enough for two, without spending unnecessary time on maintenance and cleaning.
With Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm golf courses just 10 minutes away, local wineries and mountain biking at nearby Derby, this is an ideal property for downsizers looking for a little luxury while still feeling connected to nature.
Address: 166 Westwood Street, Bridport
Inspection: By appointment
For sale: By Offer
Price guide: $2.3m t0 $3m
Agent: Andrew MacDonald, The Agency, 0409 368 151 andrewmacdonald@theagency.com.au
Alexandre de Betak and his wife are focusing on their most personal project yet.
