When It's Raining It's Soaring

Sun Herald

Sunday November 6, 2005

By DENIS GREGORY

THE real-estate market in Goulburn is up and running again because prices are more realistic across the board, particularly for first home buyers.

Helen Jordan of L. J. Hooker Goulburn said there was a good range of homes for buyers because good spring rain had boosted sales.

"We were in such a terrible drought here that people had held off until we got rain. Now that has happened, there is a good selection in the lower and top ends of the market," she said.

"Investors in the boom had bought a lot of the houses in the heat of the moment but they are now looking to sell again after several years.

"These houses are attracting first home buyers because it was their market but they were unable to get in because of the high prices. But the market has opened for them again."

Ms Jordan is the selling agent at L. J. Hooker for a house with a difference. For sale for $398,000, 1 Murray Street, Goulburn, was value for money because, Ms Jordan said, a similar house in Sydney would sell for about $2.5 million.

She said it was an opportunity to buy a centrally located renovated period home in the Spanish mission style of the 1920s.

"The landmark is unique in Goulburn and has an art deco influence," she said.

The corner property is on a large block of 1100 square metres, which can be subdivided subject to council approval.

Established hedges in the low-water-use garden make the residence private from passers by.

The home, built in 1927, has three large bedrooms, a lobby, a lounge room with new gas fire, gas central heating, patterned ceilings and leadlight windows.

The kitchen and bathroom have been refurbished. There is a sunroom and a second toilet.

The house has a lock-up garage and carport with space for three cars. A barn could become guest or teenager accommodation.

Ms Jordan said cheaper houses up to $250,000 were also coming up for sale. "The locals are coming back into the market and the more expensive homes are also selling well because people are upgrading," she said.

Ms Jordan said architects were working on the redevelopment of the old Kenmore Hospital, bought from the State Government by Longreach Developments.

She said the redevelopment could include a hospitality school and up-market accommodation. Other projects were under way plus smaller industrial developments.

© 2005 Sun Herald

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