“The market is picking up with people having a bit more confidence,” said Raine & Horne Lismore agent Robbie Pruess. “Many of the houses that have been renovated are now stunning, and selling for higher prices than before.
“Some people are being careful about where they buy, but others can only afford to buy in flood areas – and they’re willing to take that risk.”
Kempsey has enjoyed a rise in popularity as it’s now being discovered by people who previously might have migrated to Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour, says Stone Real Estate Kempsey agent Carlos Peters.
It’s much more affordable too, with a house price median of $585,000 that compares with Port Macquarie-Hastings council’s $805,000 and Coffs Harbour at $820,000, Domain data shows.
“Its geographical location is great, and it has better beaches than both of those anyway,” Peters said. “We’ve always been cheaper, and the roads and cars are getting better, so distances aren’t so much of a problem.
“Our local economy is going well too, as the home of Akubra hats and the Nestle factory and plenty of timber and cattle and a reasonable retail centre. We have people from Sydney coming up here and saying ‘Wow!’ at what they can buy, and then enjoying the lifestyle and even commuting back once a month.”
