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First home buyers find love at first “site” in Greenbank

October 12, 2023 | IN Media Release and News | BY AVID | 4 min read

The popularity of the Logan corridor, with a significant growth period predicated over the next 20 years1, continues to surge with first home buyers flocking to semi-rural residential suburbs like Greenbank with the help of government schemes.

Greenbank is projected to add the most residents to Queensland in 2041 with an expected additional
74,000 people.2

According to the official Queensland First Home Owner Grant (QFHOG) scheme figures, getting a foot on the property ladder is proving to be popular amongst buyers in Logan, with 141 buyers in the region receiving the grant so far this financial year, making up a quarter (25 per cent) of all payments in Queensland (as of 31 August 2023).3

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows the number of new owner-occupier loans continued to stabilise in August with new owner-occupier loans rising by 2.5 per cent, with the total value of housing finance loan commitments rising by 2.9 per cent in Queensland.4

An established residential community that is meeting first home buyer appetite is Covella by AVID Property Group (AVID) and Greenfields Development Company.

AVID Executive General Manager and Chairman of the joint venture with Greenfields Development Company Bruce Harper said driven first home buyers were continuing to seek out affordable new residential communities where they would be eligible for the Queensland Government’s $15,000 first home owner grant incentive.

“With government incentives on offer, first home buyers are still looking for a low maintenance size block to get a foot on the property ladder,” Mr Harper said.

“It’s also interesting to see that a lot of parents are encouraging the younger generations who are
ready to get a foot in the market, to buy now and are helping, whether through finance or guarantees.

“Buyer enquiry remains strong in Covella with first home buyers making up 50 per cent of enquires.”

Loans for owner-occupiers rose to 8,573 during the month of July, 15 per cent of which accounted for
first-time buyers.5

First home buyers, Michael Bishop, 26, and his partner recently purchased a block of land at Covella
in Greenbank, and instantly felt it was love at first “site”.

Mr Bishop said building their own home had been a long-term goal, and access to a land and house
loan and the QFHOG made this possible.

“For many young Aussies like us, homeownership is a marker of adulthood independence and key to
economic security, so we are fortunate to have the assistance of grants to fulfill our property dreams,”
Mr Bishop said.

“Upon browsing through the market, we found the price of buying a block and the build process more
affordable compared to buying an existing home.”

“Our builders have just reached site cut stage, so we anticipate on moving in mid-next year and look
forward to building our future in Covella!”

Mr. Harper said first home buyers are not only on the lookout for affordability but also a community with access to transport, green open spaces and lifestyle amenities such as shopping and dining.

“Communities like Covella that foster this have proven time and time again to be successful in attracting owner occupiers, and particularly first home buyers with young families, or those looking to start a family,” Mr Harper said.

Future Covella residents Grelyn Arnibal, 30, and her partner, look forward to settling in their new home
to live a balanced lifestyle.

“Working as a nurse, I exercise to destress, so I look forward to using the integrated walking paths and
parks for my yoga practice,” Ms Arnibal said.

“I grew up in the Philippines, but it wasn’t until I made the move to Brisbane and met my fiancé in 2017 My very first experience of Queensland was the great weather and how friendly all the residents are.

“My partner and I are fortunate to receive the QFHOG and can’t wait to move into our own place mid-2024 to start growing our family and meeting our new neighbours.”

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