SPRING property hunters heading for open homes and auctions this weekend should be prepared to spread out and wait with COVID restrictions now in place.
From 8am last Saturday, the Queensland Government limited Gold Coast gatherings inside and outside people’s homes to 10 people in response to two new coronavirus cases at Pimpama.
The move caused some confusion among real estate agents who were uncertain whether the direction applied to businesses carrying out essential activities.
Spring property hunters heading for open homes and auctions on the Gold Coast this weekend should be prepared to spread out and wait.
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The state’s peak real estate body has confirmed the 10-person limit includes public onsite auctions as well as open home and rental property inspections.
“Our reading of the direction is that it does apply to real estate practitioners and auctioneers conducting open home inspections as well as auctions,” said REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella.
Restrictions coincided with the start of the busy spring selling season, with hundreds of house hunters expected to visit homes across the city this weekend.
An auction at 1525 Riverdale Drive, Hope Island earlier this month. Photograph: Jason O’Brien
People intending to bid at auction were advised to pre-register to ensure they were included in the head count allowed on site.
A charming renovated residence at Southport attracted 42 groups to the first open inspection last Saturday, with prospective buyers forced to line up along the street.
McGrath-Surfers Paradise agent Mark Saveall said the session was extended to make sure everyone was able to see inside while complying with restrictions and social distancing.
“People were spread out down the street due to the COVID situation,” he said.
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