Century 21 Seasons Greetings

We wish you all a fabulous festive season from Century 21 Port Douglas Real Estate.

With the end of 2009 fast approaching we would believe it is time for a brief reflection.

One must take stock and look to 2010 and plan for a better year than the one just passed.

For Port Douglas Real Estate Agents, the property market dealt us some strong punches in 2009.

The Global Financial Crisis certainly hurt most people and in terms of Port Douglas Real Estate, there is no doubt that this holiday destination and toursit town has suffered more than most.

There is no point in avoiding the truth, in brief the Port Douglas market place experienced a 20% - 30% depreciation in the value of property.

We had an unprecedented number of forced sales in 2009, with many overseas owners unable to hold on. Buyers looking for bargains were not disappointed.

Many owners of holiday and permanent letting properties received poorer returns due to decreasing visitor numbers, a "stalling" in development and building work around our township and a real decrease in employee numbers with jobs relating to tourism and hospitality.

At present we have the "wet season" looming, so we do not expect much action in the next few months. 

The strong Australian Dollar is also allowing Aussies to travely more cheaply overseas, however, Port Douglas is and will always be a superb destination.

The Great Barrier Reef is here and still beautiful, the mysterious yet accessible rainforest is nearby, and we are confident that the tourists will soon be back. A good percentage of those tourists will invest here many with the intent of moving here permanently one day!

So 2009 was a time to "Hold" your Port Douglas Real Estate and those who have survived by "battening down the hatches", should see a revival in our market from May/June 2010 onwards.

Traditionally we tend to be a year or so behind our Southern counterparts and we are heartened by the positive news from Melbourne, Sydney and the other southern cities.

In 2010 we expect an upward movement in property prices and a greater increase in property investment. 

The "forced sales" are pretty well cleared up and some stability in pricing is expected. 

Between now and May 2010 there will still be a lot on offer as far as "value for money" property prospects go.

By mid 2010 we believe there will be a new wave of demand and those looking to buy at the bottom of the market will well and truly have missed out by then.

We know and understand the local market here really well, so regardless of whether you are contemplating buying or selling in the Port Douglas area, you should first get the right advice by talking to us at Century 21 Port Douglas. 

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. 

Century 21 Port Douglas Real Estate.