Regional towns in WA featured strongly in the Fast 50 report, released today by analysts Smart Property Investment, which identified Pilbara towns Port Hedland, Dampier, South Hedland and Newman as investment hotspots.
Fast 50 contributor Helen Collier-Kogtevs, said the Pilbara boasted high capital growth prospects and strong positive cash flow opportunities.
“It is strategically important to the national economy, has great historical performance and great projected performance, low vacancy rates, high per capita income levels and a shortage of, and high demand, for housing,” she said.
In the metropolitan area, Murdoch, Como, Leederville and Fremantle were all recommended as for property investment.
The hotspots were identified based on a range of key metrics, including population growth, demand for housing, income levels, employment, vacancy rates, capital growth history and current rental yields.
“The Perth capital city market appeals as a standout prospect for house price growth with the median price set to increase by a double-digit percentage by year’s end,”
Fast 50 contributor Andrew Wilson said.
“With the Perth median house price currently almost 10 per cent below its peak recorded four years ago, together with recessed levels of new construction and a flood of workers seeking the wages bonanza delivered by nearly $100 billion in mining industry activity, it is not unreasonable to expect a significant increase in home buyer activity in Perth through 2012,” he said.
Mandurah suburbs Greenfields and Halls Head were the other Western Australian hotspots named in the report.
Fast 50 contributor Todd Hunter said both suburbs presented a good opportunity for price growth.
“The last WA property boom saw Mandurah’s prices increase, making the town one of the top performers for two years straight,” Mr Hunter said.
“Since the end of that boom we have seen the exact opposite occur, with prices dropping below the pre-boom mark.”
Bay Dan Wilkie – Business News
