Happy New Year!  We hope you had an enjoyable break and are refreshed and ready for the exciting new year!

As we look back on 2014, it has been a very interesting 12 months with some big things happening in our city and in our property market.  

In an era where investors are faced with volatile share markets and strategies, property once again showed to be a solid investment throughout the year with Brisbane seeing a 4.8 per cent rise in property values.

“A rise of 4.8 per cent is a good, steady figure for Brisbane and exactly what we want to see happening in our market.  This means good returns for investors and sellers but also keeps property prices affordable for purchases entering the marketing in 2015 so it is a win-win”, said Hannah Schuhmann, Principal of HS Brisbane Property.

"With the eyes of the world glued firmly on Brisbane during the G20 at the end of last year we are also seeing an increase in interested from overseas purchasers which again is great news for those looking at selling this year.

All of the above combined with the announcement of this months snap Queensland State Election will likely see a very positive and interesting year again for our local market.  

What the experts are forecasting for Brisbane next:

Property Advisor

"The best risk-adjusted bet for counter-cyclical investors is on balance likely to be Brisbane.  The Queensland capital has been struck by a number of setbacks to housing market confidence over recent years, but housing finance data for both owner-occupiers and investors suggests that the market has decisively turned a corner and the strongest three year returns are thus projected for Brisbane.”

source:  http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/ 

CoreLogic RP Data head of research Tim Lawless

They are predicting only three of Australia’s capital cities to experience higher capital growth in 2015 than they did in 2014 being Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart – with Brisbane forecast to be the standout.

"We are expecting the annual rate of capital gain to finish the year around 7.0 per cent, compared with 5.1 per cent over the 2013 calendar year," Mr Lawless said.

"With the rate of capital gain holding relatively firm over the second half of 2014, fewer affordability pressures and better rental yields than Sydney or Melbourne, we are expecting growth in Brisbane dwelling values to outperform the capital city average.”

source:  http://www.rebonline.com.au/breaking-news/8534-more-signs-property-market-is-slowing 

Domain Group senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson.

Dr Wilson has tipped we will see more buyers coming from interstate who will likely see Brisbane as a good area to invest in while other capitals may seem ‘less affordable’.

"The median price of property in both Sydney and Melbourne has now surpassed what the average family can afford, by well over $100,000, much more in some parts of each of those cities," she said.

"In Brisbane, the median price still sits around $100,000 under what the average family can afford. Put more simply, more people can afford to buy property in Brisbane than in both Sydney and Melbourne, yet the yields remain exceptional and it's a highly liveable city.”

source:  http://www.esperanceexpress.com.au/story/2797591/brisbane-property-market-growth-to-be-moderate-in-2015/?cs=4092