REAL ESTATE

Old apartments could prove winning investments in 2017

subhadip

3/3 Bates St, Malvern - for Herald Sun realestate

OLD apartments could be the new winning bet for investors, according to real estate experts.

Wakelin Property Advisory director Paul Nugent said astute buyers could take advantage of the possibility retro units were undervalued this year after a “sluggish” 2016.

“There was a dampening effect caused by an excessive boom in the high-rise or multi-unit sector over recent years,” he said.

“But it is evident from ABS financing and building approval numbers that the much-needed correction in the multi-unit sector has begun, and prices and volumes of new supply in this category will continue to shrink over 2017.

“Consequently, there is a strong case to be made that period style apartments are undervalued at the moment.

“Indeed, with investors looking for safer assets in 2017, we anticipate a rush-to-quality out of high rise and into older-style apartments and houses.”

 Secret Agent research on inner Melbourne apartment sales last year shows buyers paid an average of $38,000 more for those built before 1990 than their modern counterparts.

One and two-bedroom apartments from both categories had similar sale prices — but old studio apartments sold on average for 27 per cent more than new studios.

And old apartments with three or more bedrooms sold for 19.5 per cent more.

The report states older apartments could be more highly valued because the buildings were often smaller than newer ones, which could make them more appealing and better located to buyers’ preferences.

It also suggested well-maintained or refurbished older apartments often have a lot more character and are more scarce than newer ones.

 

[Source:- Realestate]