BUYERS out shopping for residential real estate this spring will be armed with a wishlist that has been heavily influenced by the COVID crisis.
Restrictions on the way Australians live, work and travel have prompted many to reassess their housing needs and search for properties that tick a host of new boxes.
More people than ever are working from home, which means properties with a home office or space to run a business are in high demand.
Spring buyers are keen to be working somewhere that’s not the kitchen table.
Stage 2 of the $140 million No. 1 Grant Ave apartment project, under construction at Hope Island, has been redesigned to cater to home-based workers.
A “residential business centre’’ will include a fully-equipped glass-enclosed boardroom and five spacious private offices that can be used by residents any time of day.
Aniko Group is set to incorporate a business centre into its luxury $140 million No. 1 Grant Ave project which is under construction in Hope Island.
Private office at No. Grant Ave can be used by residents at any time.
Aniko Group managing director George Mastrocostas said the creation of the expanded business centre was a direct response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We went back to the drawing board when COVID hit to create a larger business centre, knowing that the way people were working and running their businesses was changing rapidly,” he said.
“We believe these work spaces are going to become an extremely valuable asset to the communal facilities of residential projects moving forward and the expanded business centre has certainly been well received by our buyers.”
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Easy access to green space, like Bim’bimba Park in Pimpama, is high on buyers’ wishlists.
High speed internet is another must for people working from home, while apartment-based workers are seeking a balcony, courtyard or access to green space to maintain sanity.
Families looking to accommodate adult children who have lost their jobs or to protect vulnerable elderly parents are searching for larger homes with multiple bedrooms, a granny flat or dual-living potential.
A renewed focus on family, good health and a desire to live away from densely populated areas has seen a surge in demand for rural and acreage real estate.
Greenery and multiple living options made this house in Wongawallan appealing.
Amir Prestige-Mermaid Beach agent Kris Valcic, who recently sold a tri-level home on 1.7ha (4.3 acres) at Wongawallan, said 40 per cent of prospective buyers wanted to accommodate extended family.
“People want to be further away from other people and we’re hearing from a lot of bigger families looking to live together in large homes on acreage,” he said.
Prospective buyers were eyeing off the tennis court at this luxury Guanaba acreage.
Kollosche agent Kara Evatt, who recently sold a luxury acreage at Guanaba, said there was a notable interest in the tennis court.
“A lot of people made comment on having a tennis court as an activity that they can do at home,” she said.
“We also had a surplus of prospective buyers wanting access to a helicopter pad.”
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