100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Property shift: why we've changed our home priorities - and who we live with

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Plans lodged for 12-storey development on main street

A proposal for a three-tower, 12-level mixed-use development on the main street of a beachside town have been revealed. The proposed complex would occupy a More

Millions spent on harbour entrance amid lack of options

More than $5 million has been spent on dredging the Sunshine Coast’s main harbour entrance over the past five years in a bid to More

Surf club elects its first female president

A Coast surf lifesaving club has made history by electing its first female president. Victoria Berry took the helm at the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving More

Key change: music venue plans to add brewery

A live music venue that began as a custom guitar workshop is seeking to add a brewery and the sale of food and beverages More

Busy transport hub gears up for new bus depot

A tourist hotspot is gearing up for a new bus depot, which would improve bus running times and reduce CO2 emissions in the congested More

Sami Muirhead: a bellyful of Bali love

Ashes in cocktails, island romances and strained stomach muscles from surfing after a 40-year hiatus More it was one of the best weeks of More

It’s a tale of two different approaches to home design for new home and established dwelling buyers as the impact of COVID changes their priorities.

At the top end of the market where Next Property Group’s Loren Wimhurst has most of her sales, buyers just want to get into a market where there is limited stock.

Their highest priority appears to still be the right position, either near the water or on acreage, and the property’s potential.

“I haven’t had one buyer all year say I am buying because I am working from home,” Ms Wimhurst says.

“The buyers are more fixated on the location rather than what is in the home.”

But for the buyers who are flooding Thompson Sustainable Homes with new home orders, their priorities for living well on the Coast are different and enlightening.

TSH marketing manager Renita Gordon says top of the list is a greater emphasis on multi-generational living that “ensures there is secondary space for the grandparents to have their piece of paradise”.

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor with your name and suburb at Sunshine Coast News via: news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au

While it has been a gradual shift, Ms Gordon says last year has really brought home this change.

Equally important is the requirement for parents to have work-from-home options. If not an office per se, allocating space for a working hub for the family’s computer equipment is a common requirement.

Larger common living spaces is a consequence of a greater number of people living in the house, whether it’s grandparents or teenagers who are staying at home longer.

“The island bench is the most important part and integral part of all of the build,” Ms Gordon says.

“And the liveability where everyone can find their own space.”

A smaller backyard is another noticeable change. Buyers are trending towards more indoor space and limited outdoor space particularly where that space requires significant maintenance.

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article 

Reducing bill shock remains high on the list as solar panels, natural airflow and water tanks are being included.

Ms Gordon is noticing some young families wanting to downsize.

“They have had the big home, the big block and now they are saying, ‘You know, we don’t really need this, we need to bring everything back’,” Ms Gordon says.

“And for those younger buyers that may have benefitted from a bigger block and have made some money off that, they’re realising what is more important is the family and coming together rather than extending their wealth and house footprint,” she adds.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share