by Jarna Baudinette Despite the perception that Christmas is a quiet time in the real estate industry, Christmas is a busy buying time

Whether it’s the summer weather stirring up a desire to live closer to the beach, or the impending arrival of scores of relatives offering a reminder that you’ve outgrown your current house, it seems the festive season can act as a catalyst to get us thinking about our long-term property goals.

People inspect and buy right before or right after Christmas, because they’re moving to the Coast so their kids can be in school by February. Shane Purssell

First National Maroochydore’s Shane Purssell has been an agent on the Coast for 11 years and says despite the perception that the lead-up to Christmas can be a quiet period for real estate, November through to January has always been a strong selling time. Buyers often want to be set up in their new home by the new year, and this is especially the case for people relocating to the Sunshine Coast or for families with school-age children.

“I call it the ‘transit time’,” says Shane. “People inspect and buy either right before or right after Christmas, because they’re moving to the Coast so their kids can be in school by February and they want to be settled in before then. It happens every year, no matter what the market is doing. The only difference is that this year people are getting lots of bargains.”  

Shane also deals with plenty of lifestyle buyers, who see Christmas as an opportunity to downsize or to treat themselves to the beachside unit they’ve always dreamed of.

“I just sold to some last weekend – typical lifestyle buyers from Brisbane who are sick of coming up and paying for a holiday unit and would rather own one themselves,” he says.

Tim Burrough from Belle Property Buderim says the Sunshine Coast’s top-end market is also attracting buyers from further afield this Christmas. He’s selling a prestige property on Martins Creek Road, Buderim, and says three of his recent inspections have come from visitors eager to move here in the new year.

“One has been from Mackay, one from Toowoomba and another from Sydney, so buyers do appear to be coming from far and wide,” Tim explains. “And educated investors are finally recognising the opportunity that’s available on the Sunshine Coast at the moment.”

This isn’t only the case for cashed-up investors, though. Tim says some prestige properties are listed at well below replacement value, which means if you’ve always dreamed of owning a high-end property but thought you couldn’t afford one, this Christmas is the perfect time to think about buying. In fact, Tim goes so far as to describe the current season as a “once-in-a-generation buying opportunity” at the top end.

So whether you’re an entry-level buyer thinking of securing your first home, or a more established home hunter searching for the ultimate in acreage or waterfront living, make it your New Year’s resolution to see what the local market has to offer. And, unlike the resolution to never invite your relatives over for Christmas lunch again, make sure you stick to it. As local agents will tell you, there are plenty of bargains out there just waiting to be unwrapped.