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Two real estate agencies Elite (Karl Latham) and Twomey Schriber (Kevin Twomey), will merge. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

Two leading and independent Cairns real estate agents are merging and they have already set an ambitious target to become the biggest in the Far North and one of the largest in Queensland.

Elite Real Estate Services and Twomey Schriber Property Group are set to combine their services and databases in December, move into a new office in Sheridan St, and operate as one entity under the latter’s trading name.

The announcement comes six months after Elite principal Karl Latham sold his rent roll to Twomey Schriber to focus solely on sales.

Two real estate agencies Elite (Karl Latham) and Twomey Schriber (Kevin Twomey), will merge. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

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“Especially during these COVID times the world is ever changing and mergers are happening in many industries,” Mr Latham said.

“With us both being independent this opportunity allowed us to be light footed and quickly adapt with the rapidly changing market where we can stay in front, leading the field and, most importantly, continuing to achieve the best results for our clients.”

Twomey Schriber principal Kevin Twomey said the biggest winners of the merger would be the two agencies’ vendors and future buyers.

“We’ll cover all over Cairns and if you’re looking to sell, we’ll have a bigger list of buyers than anyone,” he said.

“If you’re looking to buy, we’ll have access to the most stock in Cairns.”

He said his agency was ranked No.1 in residential sales volume in Cairns averaging between 250 to 280, while Elite was tracking closely behind in third place, having reported about 200 sales in the past year.

“Together we’re looking at doing potentially 500 sales a year,” Mr Twomey said.

“That number will get us up there among the highest in Queensland.”

The post Cairns real estate agency merger comes with ambitious sales target appeared first on realestate.com.au.

Competition for Gold Coast real estate is the hottest it has been in more than a decade with properties across the city reportedly being snapped up within days of hitting the market.

Agents across the Coast are reporting record attendance at open homes and auctions with multiple offers being made on quality properties in sought-after suburbs.

CoreLogic data shows the fastest-selling suburb is Pacific Pines where properties are changing hands 24 days faster in the three months to June than last year, with an average 21 days on market.

A five-bedroom house at 25 White Cap Close, Pacific Pines sold for $750,000 within 28 days on market.

Houses in Burleigh Heads are being snapped up in 23 days – 24 days faster than in 2019 – while the average days on market in Mudgeeraba was 25 – 11 days less than last year.

The super hot southern suburbs of Palm Beach and Tugun also featured in the top 10, while homes in Broadbeach Waters and Mermaid Waters are also selling quickly.

Leading buyer’s agent Jordan Navybox, managing director of Cohen Handler, said the Gold Coast market was the hottest he had seen since 2007.

He said his firm had seen a surge in requests from frustrated and desperate buyers asking for assistance to find a property and negotiate a sale.

“We’re hearing from lots of buyers who are missing out on properties in multiple offer scenarios or at auctions where there are 15-20 registered bidders,” he said.

A 1930s cottage at 50 Ewart St, Burleigh Heads sold for $1.35 million at auction following a 25-day campaign.

Mr Navybox said sale prices had jumped 10 per cent since COVID struck, which was catching out buyers who were basing offers on outdated prices.

“A lot of people use sales from six months ago, but property prices on the Gold Coast have increased by 10 per cent since the start of COVID,” he said.

“Buyers should be basing their price research on sales in the last 30-60 days.”

For those buyers wanting to get some skin in the game, the number one tip is to avoid a situation where you’re competing with multiple buyers.

“When you see a property come on the market that you like the look of, ring the agent and ask if you can see it privately that day,” Mr Navybox said.

“There are going to be 25 other buyers there on a Saturday, get in before them.”

A designer new build at 3 Lagoon Way, Mudgeeraba sold for $4.6 million within a week of being listed.

When it comes to auctions, Mr Navybox advises asking if the seller is in a position to sell today and start negotiations ahead of the auction.

“Waiting until the auction allows the agent three to four extra weeks to gather interest,” he said.

“Turning up at auction with your hand in the air puts you up against the competition.”

Buying in a hot market required different strategies, Mr Navybox added, with buyers advised to be guided by what the selling agent was telling you.

“If the agent says there are multiple offers on the table, in this market they probably are,” he said.

“When a property is listed for offers over on the Gold Coast, nine times out of 10 it will sell for over that price.”

Top 10 fastest selling Gold Coast suburbs

(Suburb / days on market 2020 / 2019)

Pacific Pines 21 (45)

Burleigh Heads 23 (47)

Mudgeeraba 25 (36)

Worongary 25 (45)

Palm Beach 27 (37)

Tugun 31 (38)

Broadbeach Waters 32 (56)

Highland Park 32 (30)

Elanora 33 (48)

Mermaid Waters 35 (65)

* Source: Core Logic April-June 2020

The post Fastest selling Gold Coast suburbs appeared first on realestate.com.au.

15 Mary Bale Dr, Tallebudgera.

There’s a very good reason why leafy Tallebudgera is among the top suburbs online house hunters are honing in on.

Less than 10 minutes after rinsing the sand off your feet at the beach, you can be stepping into the privacy of a peaceful bush setting.

Open plan living areas open onto a timber deck with a bush backdrop.

Nestled on 4748 sqm, this newly built two-level residence at 15 Mary Bale Drive enjoys a north east aspect where the surrounding treescape can never be built out.

Brisbane-based RC Designs teamed up with Empire Homes to deliver the modern industrial design, which was the most-viewed Queensland property on listings site realestate.com.au this week.

A wide window in the master suite reveals a sea of green.

Over-size windows and sliding doors offer a green vista at every opportunity.

Soaring ceilings add to the sense of space in the open plan living areas with polished concrete creating a consistent palette throughout.

The 13m magnesium pool is heated for year-round use.

A 13m heated magnesium pool allows for year-round swimming while bushwalking is an everyday option in the adjoining koala reserve.

“The floor plan, attention to detail and choice of high quality finishes really stand out,” said Ray White agent Karyn O’Dea, who is marking the property.

“The way in which they’ve combined nature into a practical, modern design is very appealing.”

The property is open for inspection on Saturday, 19 September, 11.30am-12pm while expressions of interest close on September 21.

The modern industrial design is drawing attention online.

The post Tallebudgera new build is Qld’s most popular house appeared first on realestate.com.au.