Demand for affordable housing outstripped supply by a factor of 30 in the lead-up to the sale of 34 homes in the south-west Belconnen development of Ginninderry last weekend, 6-7 November.
In the new suburb of Strathnairn, 34 Flexi-Living Homes were sold by ballot that attracted over 1000 registrations, said Ginninderry Project Director Steve Harding. This averages out to almost 30 registrations per property.
“Our Flexi-Living Homes are specifically designed to help more people move into home ownership with intelligent designs and lower price points with a range of eligibility criteria to ensure that aim is met,” Mr Harding said.
“The weekend went really well with a high level of interest and these homes have been really popular since we first started selling in 2017.
“The Flexi-Living Homes are compact, affordable and sustainable, which is hard to find in this market, so the level of interest isn’t surprising, but we’re very pleased we got a lot of first-time buyers into the market, which is what we’re trying to do.”
Mr Harding said it’s a shame there were only 34 homes, as there was much more demand, but they’re committed to continuing to deliver homes to those who need them.
“The eligibility criteria is something we devised to purchase this product, and it’s around ensuring the homes go to those most in need and not to investors. We require purchasers to show the combined Total Gross Income of all applicants is less than or equal to $120,000,” he said.
“It’s very difficult for first-time buyers to get their foot into the market, and I appreciate the anxiety around that, so we offer homes at a fixed price and give them the certainty they’re looking for.
“There were young singles, couples, young families and some single parent families who were just overjoyed to buy their first home over the weekend.”
The series of homes is filling the gap between traditional free-standing products and apartments and offers a range of architect-designed floor plans at an affordable price.
The lucky first purchaser of a Flexi-living Home, Madeleine Blazely, said she was attracted to Ginninderry by its lifestyle benefits and the home’s design.
“I’ve been kicked out of the market so many times, so the set price was attractive – and the fact that it’s a separately titled home rather than an apartment,” she said.
“And the location … I’m a country girl, so I’m looking forward to the lifestyle. It’s so peaceful and is just a beautiful location.”
Another purchaser ecstatic to secure her own home is single mum, Kimberly Williams.
“I’m a single parent and we can do this! I’m renting at the moment but have been looking at real estate a lot and most options are simply out of reach,” she said.
“I love the space, the views, and the fact that Ginninderry is environmentally-friendly.”
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