Real Estate Agents Say Ideal Conditions for Investors

The real estate agents industry lobby group, REIQ, issued a press release today, putting a positive spin on apartment sales in Queensland:

"Reduced demand for investment properties is providing ideal conditions for buyers, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ).

Over the September quarter, median unit and townhouse prices held steady in most areas of the state, while demand for properties usually targeted by investors and first home buyers reduced markedly as economic conditions and higher interest rates sidelined buyers.

Preliminary sales in the $350,000 to $500,000 price bracket across the State fell more than 20 per cent compared to the June quarter while sales in all other price brackets held their ground.

“The number of first home buyers has fallen since their high of last year, however, we anticipate demand from first-timers to continue to gradually increase next year,” REIQ managing director Dan Molloy said.

“Investors have also been sitting on the sidelines, with investment demand currently half of what it is was during 2007.

“Investors and first home buyers are usually competing for the same affordably-priced properties but the current lack of competition between these two buyer types has created ideal buying conditions, especially for investors.”