Investment hot zones: Ainslie the best performing Canberra suburb in 2018

Investors could be lured back into the market, despite the challenge of tighter lending conditions, through the prospect of greater capital appreciation returns.

Domain reports that Ainslie was the best performing Canberra suburb in 2018, recording a massive 23.2 per cent price growth.

Holly Komorowski of home.byholly says the inner-city suburb has a number of fundamentals that contributed to its performance.

“You can’t go past the key drivers of location, big blocks and proximity to nature, the city and Braddon,” she says.

“There is also the appeal of character homes, either renovated or certainly with the space to extend and modernise.”

Komorowski says Ainslie’s price-growth hike may enhance the appeal of other inner-north suburbs in 2019.

“Investors might like to take a closer look at the competitive price pointing of near neighbours like Watson, Hackett and Dickson and Downer,” she says.

Further south, Greenway defied apartment market expectations in 2018 with a stellar 15.1 per cent price growth.

Christine Bassingthwaighte of Luton Properties Tuggeranong says there are a few factors at play.

“We experienced a lot activity among downsizers; people preparing to retire who want to stay part of their local community,” she says.

Bassingthwaighte says Kambah is her 2019 tip for detached homes with price-growth potential.

“There’s a lot to like about it. Typically, it boasts solid family homes on big blocks with plenty of potential for renovation or extension,” she says.

• Location. It’s a truism in real estate that the starting point is location, location, location. These can include established and sought-after suburbs or new areas with infrastructure investment and strong population growth.
• Low-hanging fruit. Has the identified property got potential for easy value-adds – like landscaping and painting, perhaps economical upgrades to the kitchen and bathrooms? New carpets and window treatments should be considered.
• Do your homework. A due diligence process that focuses on ability to service a loan and the projected financial performance of a potential property investment is critical in satisfying heightened lending requirements.

Allhomes’ top pick of homes for sale in Ainslie:

17 Higgins Crescent 

Price guide: $1.5 million +

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 0 car spaces

Two key reasons for Ainslie’s ongoing popularity are its family friendly, big blocks and a wealth of character homes, many of them now restored and extended.

Added to that is its proximity to the CBD and the Braddon cafe hub along with easy access to daycare and quality schools.

If that adds up to a suburb with the lot, then 17 Higgins Crescent will surely appeal.

This heritage-listed 1927 timber home has stood the test of time and been sensitively reinvented to meet the highest standards of contemporary living.

Its original character has been retained and celebrated with features such as high battened ceilings, timber floors and an open, working fireplace.

The flexible floor plan delivers three double bedrooms, all with built-in wardrobes – one with a fireplace – plus a smaller study or fourth bedroom.

Almost every room enjoys a garden aspect through timber sash windows and french doors along with an open plan design that ensures a seamless flow toward the outdoor entertaining spaces and leafy garden.

The home sits on an impressive 995-square-metre block where a landscaped garden design provides mature plants, an al fresco paved terrace and covered front and back decks. There is a vegetable plot and a chicken coop.

A single timber garage has recently been converted to a fully lined, insulated studio with reverse-cycle airconditioning – perfect for a home office or hobby room.

Auction: 5.30pm, March 1

Agent: home.byholly, Holly Komorowski 0434 973 987