Finding a property
The region offers a range of housing options, from modern style houses and apartments to the traditional wooden "Queenslander" houses. There are several ways to search for a property to rent or buy including:
- Internet searches
- Newspapers
- Real estate agents
- Through friends and family and by word of mouth
As a result of the mining boom and rapid population growth, the region does have a tight housing market. Planning your housing search ahead of time is essential and it is often a good idea to ask your employer to assist by liaising with real estate agents and asking to view listings ahead of their public release date.
Renting
In the Mackay Regional Council area, the median weekly rental price for a two bedroom unit is $280 per week and $380 per week for a three bedroom house. In the Whitsundays, the median rent price for a two bedroom unit is $300 per week and $400 for a three bedroom house.
In Isaac Regional Council area, you can expect to pay around $650 per week on a three bedroom house, however employers may provide housing or assistance toward housing costs. Housing prices are good news for investors. Housing analysts RP Data recently named Isaac in the top 20 places in Australia for property investment, reporting average investment returns of between 7 and 9%.
Buying
Median property prices vary across the region. At the end of 2008, the highest median property price was recorded for Cannonvale in the Whitsundays at $495,000, followed by Ooralea in Mackay at $485,000. The lowest median prices were recorded for Sarina ($276,000) and South Mackay ($342,000) in the Mackay Regional Council area.
Median house prices in the Isaac Regional Council area are $375,00; $380,000 in Mackay Regional Council area and $390,000 in the Whitsundays. The median price for a unit or townhouse in the region ranges from $307,000 in Mackay to $339,000 in Whitsunday.
The median price for vacant urban land is $85,690 in Isaac, $160,000 in Whitsunday and $173,000 in Mackay Regional Council area.
