Brisbane is set to become a property investment hotspot next year, as demand for land continues to swell, according to the latest market update from Herron Todd White.

Increased demand for land is evident across markets in Brisbane. This strong interest helps support prices for land, particularly in the city’s growth corridors where properties sell out in a matter of weeks, said David Notley, director at HTW.

“As to whether this state of affairs will continue into the medium and long term is entirely dependent on an extension to the builder’s grant, interest-rate fluctuations and also availability of stock,” he said. “If these variables remain sound, then demand will remain strong.”

There are several factors that are influencing the confidence of potential buyers and investors in the city. In fact, a recent survey by the Property Investment Professionals of Australia showed that a third of investors believe Brisbane is poised to become the best capital city for investment over the next year.

Notley said a big contributor that continues to uplift sentiment in Brisbane is the strong interstate migration to Queensland prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that Queensland had a net gain of 22,831 people within the country. This figure was almost double its 10-year average of 12,409.

“Of course, that number has plummeted since the boom gate came down on our hard borders, but selling agents are reporting a rise in enquiry from out-of-towners. There’s a sense of anticipation that we’ll see some serious improvement in interstate arrivals once folk can cross state lines more freely,” Notley said.

The low interest-rate environment is also a significant factor. The relatively cheap costs of borrowing money have provided an opportunity for many would-be buyers to break into the market, Notley said. The easier access to finance is supplemented by government grants, further boosting the capacity of many buyers.

“Brisbane and its surrounds offer a relatively inexpensive option for buyers — and that’s a key incentive at present. People are being very cautious with their money in the shadow of COVID. Brisbane provides buyers with the chance to own a new home within easy reach of a major CBD at substantially less than it would cost in Sydney or Melbourne,”

Gerv Tacadena, Your Investment Property, 21 October 2020
https://www.yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au/news/whats-driving-land-demand-in-brisbane-273791.aspx