With the NSW Government easing restrictions and paving the way for communities to move forward, the Examiner is taking a look at what Port Stephens needs to bounce back, both economically and socially, after the agitation of COVID-19. The Port's Road to Recovery series aims to paint a picture of individual industries and social issues, how they have been impacted and what the future looks like for them - as told by those on the ground. This week the series begins with a look at the real estate industry.
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The property market is known to behave independently from town to town, from city to city and in the case of Port Stephens from one peninsula (Tilligerry) to another (Tomaree).
And no-one would know that better than the Keers brothers Rod and David, who run the family-owned Portside Real Estate business, the Tilligerry's leading independent real estate office which boasts three decades of knowledge and experience.
Often referred to as a quiet country town with a strong sense of community, an abundance of water sports and natural features including the koala habitat, the Tilligerry Peninsula has become a popular abode for first home buyers, people looking to downsize (down-cost) and retirees.
Reflecting on the impact of COVID-19, Rod Keers said that business had picked up quite appreciably since April, following a predictably flat March, to the extent that the agency was now short on new properties to sell.
"You can still purchase an excellent, free-standing family home on the peninsula for under $500,000," Mr Keers said from his office located in Tanilba Bay that also serves the Tilligerry's other major towns of Lemon Tree Passage and Mallabula..
"We have buyers cashed up and ready to go but our stock levels are low. This is due, I believe, to the fact that the coronavirus has left some potential vendors cautious about putting their property on the market.
"The continual easing of restrictions of the coming months is expected to provide more certainty."
Mr Keers said that early figures for 2020 had suggested the makings of a good year with sales figures trending well in the first two months. This had been preceded by a rather lean early part of 2019 and a market that had strengthened considerably in the lead-up to Christmas.
"Once the government announced the shutdowns in March our inquiry rate dropped off dramatically. But we still had a number of buyers who had sold elsewhere and were looking to settle here, so our sales soon began to spike and we finished April with a better quarter compared to the same period last year."
Mr Keers said that it was difficult for him to predict how the next few months would perform. "On the one hand you have people feeling the effects of the pandemic, with shutdowns and job losses, while on the other hand you still have people wanting to buy into the area.
"Once all the restrictions have been lifted I believe there will be a sustained period of growth, providing the market here on the Tilligerry with another property boost."
Mr Keers said the agency had adopted a number of new physical restriction and hygiene initiatives for the health and safety of staff and clients, and he gave the COVID tracing app a strong endorsement.
"I believe the app is critical for the property market and the economy as a whole inits recovery, particularly in the event of a second wave of virus cases."
Tilligerry Real Estate
As part of the successful Nelson Bay Real Estate group, principal Heath Jones said he opened Tilligerry Real Estate as a means of growing and developing the brand in Port Stephens.
"The Tilligerry office finished the 2019 year strongly and by December we had sold all our stock," Mr Jones said.
"COVID-19 had an impact but I can see a confidence emerging and our staff continue to work hard in this area. The Tilligerry peninsula has so much to offer, particularly for first home buyers."
Mr Jones said that the rental situation on the Tilligerry peninsula was very similar to that in the Bay.
"We have very few properties available for lease," he said.