THE number of properties sold over October could be the difference between Bathurst setting or narrowly missing a new record.
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Bathurst has never seen 1000 properties sold in a calendar year, but Century 21 Bathurst principal Troy Kearney said this record should be set if October posts good sales figures.
“Looking at previous years, October is traditionally a slow month for sales, followed by the busiest month of the year, being November,” he said.
“I think October is going to change this year and be busy. Exchanges just in our office are up, so I imagine everyone’s are.
“If October can get between 70 to 80 sales, which it should, we should hit 1000 based off the data.”
Mr Kearney’s forecast, based on current and past figures in Bathurst, is for 991 sales by the end of the year.
This is partly because August was slower than normal, with sales down 23 per cent.
Sales were also down slightly in September, with 71 properties sold compared to last year’s 83.
Despite this, the city’s sales are still up 15.5 per cent on the same time in 2016.
In a positive sign for the city’s sales figures, spring is seeing more properties being put on the market than at other times of the year.
“Now the weekends are warmer everyone is in their garden and yards getting them ready for sale,” Mr Kearney said.
Homes under $450,000 are in highest demand for both the first home buyer and investors, but there has been more interest in CBD properties and homes on residential blocks in good estates.
“These homes are achieving premium prices as people looking to upgrade are getting great prices on the homes they are upgrading from,” Mr Kearney said.
He has advised people to thinking tactically if they are looking to buy or sell now.
“Timing is everything. If people are wanting to secure a sale and be moved in or out before Christmas, they really need to be making a decision in the next few weeks to ensure the process runs smoothly,” he said.