Covid-19 Update

It has been a life changing few months, and while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter the world that we live in, life on the Central Coast has returned to some semblance of normal. Lockdowns and heavy restrictions have eased, and local businesses are breathing a huge sigh of relief, as eager locals return to their favourite cafes, restaurants and shops. The property market is making a comeback after an inevitable pause that has given buyers time to think about what they truly want when it comes to investing in a home. Belle Property Principal Cathy Baker said that with stress levels reducing in Sydney, she had noticed an abundance of buyers looking for property on the coast. “People are focusing on family and spending quality time in their homes or holiday homes. Some are coming to the realisation that they prefer the lifestyle up here,” she said.

The long-held trend of Sydneysiders migrating north for a change in lifestyle could soon grow even bigger, with COVID-19 changing the dynamic of workplaces and employees working from home more often. Last month Realestate.com.au revealed that the Central Coast is the most sought after regional area in NSW for metro buyers, with beachside suburbs Terrigal, Umina Beach and Bateau Bay showing up as the most popular. It is not surprising with pristine beaches, an emerging cafe culture, great schools and a laidback sentiment among local ‘Coasties’. Holiday makers are loving the area too - Belle Central Coast recently saw a 100 per cent occupancy rate during the June long weekend, and said that the July school holidays are looking the same. “With more flexible working from home arrangements, people have more time to come up for a long weekend,” Ms Baker said. “People may have saved some money from staying home, or have had to cancel an overseas trip, so they want a really nice holiday on the Central Coast.”

With vendors still slow to list, Ms Baker said that now would be a good time to strike before a potential flood of stock in spring. “Prices are strong and supply is low, so it is a great time to list because there is high demand,” she said. With appearance a key factor in giving property listings an edge, Belle are offering their clients a styling consult, an important element in a digital environment where online listings need to stand out against the crowd. A good renovation could also be the ticket, and now could be a great time for people with older homes to take advantage of the Government's HomeBuilder scheme, which allows certain homeowners to apply for a tax-free grant of $25,000 if they are spending between $150,000 and $750,000 renovating a home or building a new home.  “Presentation is so important - rental rates can skyrocket with a great renovation that is reflected in quality photographs,” Ms Baker said.