The sale of a classic river house highlights the confidence in the Noosa property market heading into 2025.
Much admired since its debut in the 1960s because of the picture-postcard beachy facade, the two-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 139 Gympie Tce, Noosaville, is one of only two original weekender cottages in this riverside precinct.
Jesse Stowers of Tom Offermann Real Estate listed the property in early December at $3.5m.
The house, on 460sq m, features north-facing uninterrupted views of the Noosa River.
It sold in one week to one of Australia’s biggest home builders, Jesse said.
As for what is going to happen to the site, he was unsure but with just the riverside park opposite, the views would be retained there would probably be a rebuild at some point.
Sold in early 2022 after 25 years, the peachy-pink facade, pastel blue trims and feature white breeze blocks, reminded us of early Noosaville.
Inside has been impeccably maintained and modernised while retaining original features such as hopper windows, beautiful polished timber flooring in the living areas, and the modern eat-in kitchen, with two-pac cabinetry.
The sale helps close out a blockbuster year for the region.
Leading principal Tom Offermann said it was worth taking a moment to reflect what the sales this year have meant for clients of Tom Offermann Real Estate and how it has empowered them to move on to other properties, projects, and places.
“Virtually every sale had life-changing circumstances, and in so doing contributes to positive outcomes, and inevitably makes our roles in real estate so engaging and rewarding.
“We sell hundreds of properties every year and, contrary to most people thinking we sell only premium properties, there’s a wide price range.
“However, the sales that make the headlines and get people talking are the blockbuster sales.
“Not so long ago $5m was the benchmark for blockbusters, but now it’s $10m.
“In 2024 there were 19 of them in Noosa – compared to eight in 2023 – with an aggregate value of $284m and average of $14.95m.’’
Tom Offermann Real Estate negotiated 92 percent.
The highest sale for the year locally as well as Queensland, was $30m for a stunning waterfront home on Noosa Sound’s Witta Circle.
The next two highest sales were also waterfront stunners – nearby on popular Noosa Parade, and both achieving more than $20m.
Popular Little Cove proved a major hotspot with four blockbusters all sold by auction.
A cottage on Allambi Rise was sold under the hammer for $16.9m, just as a storm cracked ominously overhead.
Nearby Lumiere, a seven-bedroom house in Bayview Road, sold for $15m and a Hastings Park apartment opposite Noosa Main Beach sold for $12.5m, after 30 years in the hands of the same family.
“Beachfront house sales at Sunshine Beach are always the litmus test of the market and the auction of 38 Seaview Terrace, was one to watch,’’ Tom Offermann said.
“The US-based seller, who had owned it for around 20 years, was pleased to receive the call after the auction, with the great news it had sold for $13.1m. Needless to say the Brisbane-based buyer was thrilled.
“The number of properties for sale is slowly increasing so for buyers there’s more choice and a little less urgency,.
“However, during the closing stages of 2024 most properties were selling in the first 30–45 days on the market, with two or three buyers typically in the equation.
“Auctions are also producing superb results in every price range and property type. A recent example was a three-bedroom apartment in Mitti Street, Little Cove, which received 31 additional bids after being called ‘on the market’ and selling for $2.51m. The owners were overwhelmed as you can imagine, as each additional bid added to their unexpected windfall.’’
In 2025, there’s a prospect of some interest rate movement as well as the certainty of a Federal election, both of which will have some influence on the real estate markets, according to Mr Offermann.
However, the major influencers for the Noosa area is supply and demand which he believes will stay at relatively unchanged levels for at least the first half of the year.
“Long-term, there’s no doubt the future holds nothing but blue sky for property.
“Wherever you travel in the world there’s no place like it – that’s what the well-travelled keep reminding us.”