Southern Central Coast suburbs prices falling: HTW residential
The NSW Central Coast's transition to a slower market has gone well, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) residential report.
The report suggests that as with any region with a diverse property range, some suburbs have felt the pressure of price adjustment more than others.
The data coming through is suggesting that the suburbs at the southern end of the region have seen price falls more than others.
This includes the suburbs of Umina Beach and Woy Woy where values seem to have fallen by around 10 to 15%.
This however, is on the back end of higher than average value increases compared to most other parts of the region.
A current listing in Umina Beach is a three bedroom townhouse priced at $775,000.
The townhouse at 4/188 West Street (pictured below) features three bedrooms, lounge and dining area, home office area, galley-style kitchen and low maintenance landscaped gardens.
It's within walking distance to Woolworths Shopping Centre, ALDI Supermarket, Coles Supermarket, and the McDonalds.
"As we near the half way point of 2019, units within the Gosford CBD are also the subject of conversation" the valuation firm said.
"We are hearing (and seeing) a loss in confidence in this market and as settlements on new developments are being called, the evidence suggests a close eye and extra caution needs to be observed by buyers before committing.
"We are stopping short (just) of saying we are in an oversupply situation right now as we believe that the plans for the expansion of both the public and private hospitals in Gosford will ease this situation,"
A three bedroom apartment positioned on the fringe of the Gosford CBD has recently been sold at a reduced priced of $425,000.
Set in a secure complex, the apartment at 354/80 John Whiteway Drive (pictured below) comprises three bedrooms, open plan living area, well-appointed kitchen and two car spaces.
It is close to train station, shopping centres, schools and Gosford waterfront.
Towards the northern end of the region, the market has definitely slowed with some price corrections noted in newer and older suburbs.
According to the HTW report, this hasn’t been much of a drop in values overall, but the evidence suggests that it is happening.
The northern end of the region is generally more price dependent with a higher reliance on continuity of employment and stablisation of home owners.
Vendor expectations have been a little slower to adapt to the changing market with real estate agents indicating that more time is being spent on the current values.
"This is then affecting those buyers out there and the meeting of minds," the valuation firm said.
"Buyers and their ability to deal are further impacted by changes in lending policies which in a nutshell is making borrowing harder.
"But that said, the property market appears to have swung in favour of buyers with more choices available.
"We are certainly in for an interesting second half of 2019 and if the signs are being read correctly, then we should expect the market to slow further.
"These signs include a higher level of valuation assessments being queried by lenders and mortgage brokers, slightly higher levels of owners opting for renovations and extensions rather than selling and real estate agents having to work harder to get their deals across the line.
"The property market work cycle is in the correction phase after solid increases in property prices throughout the past few years.
"The higher end of the market range seems to be tracking reasonably well at this stage and we are seeing little change to volumes of transactions and values seem to be less affected."
