As prices remain high for modern homes in prime locations, prospective buyers are exploring alternative options to get their foot in the door.
They’re turning to older houses in suburbs such as Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland and Buderim to claim their place near the growing city centre and the beach.
Several registered bidders attended auctions for decades-old homes in recent days.
Real estate agents told Sunshine Coast News that well-established houses represented a way for buyers to enter the market in those exclusive suburbs, without paying a fortune.
Owner/director at McCarthy & Co Property, Leigh McCarthy, sold an original, low-set cottage in Maroochydore on September 4, for $942,000.
The 680sqm property at 28 Anthony Avenue was offered to the market for the first time since 1980.
It’s just minutes to the beach, Sunshine Plaza and the new CBD.
“I find the older homes (in these suburbs) are quite popular because they’re more affordable and it gets the buyers into a great location,” Ms McCarthy said.
“The houses are very liveable and they are within walking distance to the beach, cafes, restaurants and shops.
“The newer and renovated homes are upwards of $1.5m, which can be out of reach, so these older homes represent a good opportunity to get near the beach.
“And a lot of buyers are happy to just give the older homes a bit of a cosmetic makeover and freshen them up with some décor and modernise the kitchen and bathroom.
“They are also popular because they are a blank canvas for people to create their own ideas and develop or build.
“Younger people are getting these types of homes and they know they’ve got years ahead of them, so upgrades don’t have to be done straight away and they can make it look beachy and cute without spending a lot of money.”
The Anthony Avenue auction had been an emotional affair, Ms McCarthy said.
It was home to a husband and wife, who raised their two sons there.
She passed away a number of years ago, while he died more recently.
The sons were at the auction as their long-held family home was sold on Father’s Day.
“It was very emotional because it was the first Father’s Day for them without their dad,” Ms McCarthy said.
“It was so evident on their faces and for the neighbours who were there.
“They were attending to support these two men, who were selling their dad’s legacy.
“There were lots of tears and cuddles. It was one of the most emotional auctions I’ve been involved in.”
A couple living nearby, who own a small business on the Sunshine Coast, bought the property, probably for the woman’s parents to move into.
Meanwhile, an old single-level home in a prime position in Maroochydore also attracted plenty of interest.
The 756sqm property, at 9 Gloria Street, was passed in on September 2 but there was significant post-auction inquiry as it was put on the market for offers over $920,000.
The sales agent at McGrath – Buderim and Mooloolaba, Glennis Schindler, said the property had “a lot of potential”.
“It’s a good-sized block and you could renovate or do whatever you want on it,” she said.
The property went on the market for the first time in 30 years and it’s just 150m to Maroochydore’s new innovative and vibrant city centre.
‘Buy the worst house in the best street’
Another old home, in a stunning location at Buderim, was expected to sell this week, after being passed in at auction.
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom, three-car space home, on 1616sqm at 6 Coolum View Terrace, came on to the market for the first time in almost 30 years.
It boasts northerly-facing ocean views.
“There was heaps of interest in this one,” the principal at Prime Property – Sunshine Coast, Brenden Southey, said.
“The northern escarpment of Buderim is one of the premium locations on the Coast.
“It’s a really old property that could be rebuilt.”
The property was under offer to some nearby residents, who were looking to move higher up the street for better views.
Mr Souther said the older homes in the area rarely came on to the market.
“All you usually get are the ones that are already rebuilt or renovated, and they can come with a premium price tag,” he said.
Mr Southey said older homes provided a neat way for prospective buyers to break into great locations.
“Buy the worst home in the best street,” he said.
“It’s a good way to get in, and that’s right across suburbs like Buderim and Maroochydore.
“The older ones are affordable for people who can’t afford to buy the brand-new homes, and they can do them up in time.”
Mr Souther can speak from experience, having purchased a near 70-year-old home in Buderim, that he rebuilt.
Prominent family sells hinterland holding
A prominent Sunshine Coast family has parted with one of Glenview’s largest and oldest properties.
The 25.8hectare (63.7 acres) parcel at 34 Dunne Road was owned by the Dunne family for more than four decades.
It was sold for $3.5m at auction, to a family which lived nearby.
It’s understood the family was set to build their dream home there and have a farm.
It was just the second time, in almost 100 years, that the land holding had been sold.
Former Maroochy Shire councillor Bruce Dunne said his family, long-time Caloundra residents, had purchased the land in 1981 from the Zardani family which had bought the parcel from German settlers in 1925.
Auction results
1003/101-105 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba
- Sold for $2.6m.
- 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car.
- Grant Whisker, Define Property.
23 Felicity Way, Palmview
- Negotiating.
- Land.
- Amber Tucker, Define Property.
34 Dunne Road, Glenview
- Sold under the hammer for $3.5m.
- Land.
- Craig Morrison, Town Group.
2 Mount Coolum Close, Maroochy River
- Passed in at $1.2m.
- 3 bed, 2 bath, 4 car, pool.
- Judy Wild & Lew Pottinger, Ray White.
16 Wian Street, Buderim
- 6 bed, 2 bath, 3 car.
- Passed in.
- Rob Horne, Ray White.
29/1 Grenada Way, Parrerra
- Contact agent.
- 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car.
- Adam Budd and Ryan Cramer, Ray White.
34/67 Regatta Boulevard, Birtinya
- Passed in.
- 2 bed, 2 bath, 2 car.
- Justin Wijaya, Ray White.
5/174 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland
- Passed in. On the market for $725,000.
- 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car.
- Taylor Sierp/Simon Howe, Ray White.
18 Oakmont Drive, Buderim
- Passed in.
- 4 bed, 2 bath, 1 car.
- Jodi Price, Ray White.
1/1 Kalana Road, Currimundi
- Passed in. On the market for $860,000.
- 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car.
- Brent Higgins, Ray White.
4 Currawong Place, Bli Bli
- Passed in. On the market for overs over $799,000.
- 4 bed, 2 bath, 2 car.
- Simon Howe, Ray White.
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