Page 21 - Tropic Magazine Issue 26

TROPIC • REAL ESTATE

Slatyer’s View

REAL ESTATE WRAP
Nicholas Slatyer from Belle
Property Cairns with his take on
the property market.

Our market continues to defy
expectations. If you had asked me
mid-lockdown in April how we would
be fairing in August and September, I
would have had a pretty grim outlook.
As far as I can tell, the only market at the
moment that is a bit quieter than normal
are properties priced over $1 milion - Southern buyers! Every seller wants one (you can’t pause your realestate.com.
otherwise basically everything is selling. of these cashed up unicorns and there au ad). The strength of an offer needs
Apartments in the CBD and Palm Cove have been a few around (but obviously not to be carefully considered and the right
had a little quiet patch but that seems as many as there should be). It seems that questions need to be asked to get the full
to have passed with our agents Kaine for those buyers who can’t get here, land picture for the seller.
Rowe and Joel Cuman selling a handful of is an easy foothold into our market. Belle Property is now a network of 126
properties each in the last few weeks. I was dubious that there would be a offices. At this time of year a bunch
I’m surprised at the amount of activity bunch of people looking to get out of big of us normally head to Sydney for our
because I know that there are a lot of cities, but it does appear there are quite a annual “Belle of the Ball” awards night.
businesses in Cairns without customers, few making long-term decisions to move We couldn’t do that in 2020 but we did
but maybe there are a few different in our direction. all have a great night out to watch the
factors at play. I suspect there is pent awards stream live (which was great
up demand from the February to May in its own way). Cairns is the most
period where we were noticeably quieter. remote office and probably trades in
Also, unlike a “financial crisis” which The strength of an offer a market with the lowest average sale
can affect everyone, there are still very needs to be carefully price, but every year we have held our
distinct professions that are not only own and pick up a few awards…
untouched but maybe even thriving. considered and the right This year we secured:
Most significantly, there is a distinct questions need to be asked • Number 1 Queensland office (based
lack of stock available in the market. At on number of transactions)
a time when we are usually listing more, Nicholas Slatyer • Number 5 Queensland office
the numbers are falling. Rental stock in (revenue)
the “Cairns Greater Region” is the most • Raquel Centeno was awarded
compelling statistic… There are now Administrator of the Year
nearly half the number of available rentals Momentum is something that keeps a • Vanessa Robinson was Number 5
compared to the COVID peak in early sale campaign alive. Lots of enquiries Queensland sales agent (revenue)
May. and inspections will usually lead to • Nicholas Slatyer was Number 5
offers. Although we haven’t made this Queensland Principal (revenue)
our standard yet, a 28-day finance clause
is quickly becoming normal. The issue I am very pleased with those results! As
is (for instance) accepting an offer in the always, feel free to call me any time.
first week and then, after a month, it
falls through. You have to start all over
again. We could have missed other buyers Nicholas Slatyer: 0409 002 233
and the marketing budgets get spent MORE: belleproperty.com/cairns
Joel Cuman Kaine Rowe

21 • tropicnow.com.au