Printed Post Issue 27 | Page 18

HAY TOP PERFORMER IN AUSTRALIA Is now the time for first homebuyers to get into the property market? Prices of homes in Hay are on the increase, and look to keep rising as Hay’s economic outlook gains confidence. transformed. “There has been a lot of work done to increase tourism, and to transform our retail sector,“ says Cr Sheaffe, “but the biggest contributing factor to this has been the proposed Auscott cotton gin in the area.” Hay’s residential property market has been the best performer in Australia in the past quarter, with a 34.7% increase in the median house price in the past quarter. The town’s median house price outperformed leading property performers such as Stepney in South Australia and Deakin in NSW, as reported by the news.com.au site. “Anecdotal evidence suggests that our retail sector has improved, properties are selling, and we are moving into a rental shortage”. Hay Shire Council Mayor Bill Sheaffe said although this can only be a peak, he is confident that Hay’s economy and property market is being Hay Shire Council’s General Manager, Alan Dwyer, said that the Shire’s planning staff have seen an increase in queries from metropolitan property investors in the area, and there also has been an increase in the take-up of commercial, retail and industrial land. “We have seen an increase in queries on industrial, commercial and retail land, and even in the agricultural sector. There seems to be an increased confidence in the Hay region across all sectors”, Mr Dwyer said. According to countrychange.com.au the median weekly rent in Hay is $118, compared to $190 in the rest of Australia. The median monthly housing loan repayment is $650, compared to $1,300, making Hay a very affordable town to rent/buy in. And homesales.com.au claims the median price for houses in Hay is $152,909. Comparing those statistics with extravagant city prices could mean an influx of new residents as and when industry buys up available commercial and industrial land. This could mean that now is the time to make your home purchase. In the next issue of The place to be for your c rinted ost Long Weekend Recovery Time to start thinking about the Hay Show in September ‘Show