Andrew Todd, Principal of Raine & Horne Huskisson, reports the property market in his patch of the NSW South Coast narrowly escaped the bushfires, which tragically ravaged other parts of the region over the holiday period. 

“Our region has been declared safe by the RFS. So, the doors are open, and people are starting to return for their holidays now,” Andrew noted. 

Interestingly, the bushfires had little impact on sales activity in Huskisson. “We even sold a property on 4 January, which was a high-risk day. We didn’t expect to see anyone at open homes. But we had people turn up.

“On Saturday 11 January, we had five open homes with 25 groups through the properties. This activity demonstrates there is still good demand for property in this area.”

For example, a recently renovated three-bedroom house at 25 Roper Street Vincentia sold for $750,000 on 9 January. Andrew expanded, “This property was expected to fetch $720,000 and was secured by downsizers from the Sutherland Shire.”

A four-bedroom house at 38 Claylands Drive, St Georges Basin also sold to a buyer from Cecil Hills near Liverpool between Christmas and New Year for $530,000 dispelling fears of local owners. “Some vendors are worried the bush fires would harm buyer demand. But what we’ve found is that quality properties continue to attract attention,” said Andrew. 

“Indeed, current market conditions are in stark contrast to early spring when buyers were short on the ground. Now our biggest issue is lack of stock for sale.”