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Rochedale South is quickly becoming one of Logan’s worst-kept secrets. Given its proximity to the Gold Coast, Brisbane City, the new metro line and Springwood, house prices are rising, and properties aren’t on the market for long.
If this quiet little up-and-comer tops your list of places in southeast Queensland you’d like to call home, there are things you can do to ensure Rochedale South is the right place to buy property. From lifestyle considerations to pre-purchase building and pest inspections, you can avoid a dream home purchase turning into your worst nightmare. Read on!
A family-friendly lifestyle
Rochedale South is a laidback suburb of Logan City, just 20 minutes south of Brisbane’s CBD. Known as a great place for first home buyers, Rochedale leans into its family-friendly atmosphere and is one of the safest suburbs of southeast Queensland per capita.
For families seeking respite from bustling city life, the suburb is home to lots of beautiful green parks, play equipment, and bike paths. Rochedale South is also very close to a range of excellent shopping options, such as Westfield Mt Gravatt, Ikea, and the Springwood Mall.
Property options are mostly houses but also apartments, townhouses and duplexes due to the area’s low to medium-density planning codes. Homes here are on bigger blocks than in nearby suburbs, and the houses are also more established.
Buying property in Rochedale South
Rochedale South has traditionally been an affordable suburb, but this has changed in recent years. The population has grown steadily to 15,228 people, and property prices have soared. It’s only a matter of time before the $1 million mark is reached.
The area has had a massive shift in interest over the past few years because of all the investment in infrastructure – the metro will be opening a new line, while the construction of the southeast busway has also created interest. The current median property price for a house is $937,000 with an annual capital growth of 16.40%. For units, the median property price is $575,000, with an annual capital growth of 36.90%.
If you’re thinking of investing in property in Rochedale South, consider that rental yields are currently 3.7% with an average weekly median rent of $600 for houses and $525 for units.
Making an informed purchase
Before you commit to investing in a Rochedale South property, ensure you have the complete picture by booking an independent pre-purchase property inspection. With a detailed building inspection report, you’ll know exactly what secrets the home is hiding. From there, you can make an informed decision about your purchase – there may even be scope to negotiate on the price.
What our inspector looks for
Having carried out many building inspections in the Logan area, your inspector, Andrew, brings a wealth of local knowledge to the job. It’s this extensive experience and expertise that means he knows exactly what to look for when inspecting a Rochedale South Property. Here are some of the most common considerations.
Rochedale South is situated on a floodplain, so it’s naturally more likely to flood in the event of a storm or, as we’ve recently seen, a cyclone. We’ll check for any signs of flood damage to the property. Some signs are obvious, others are carefully concealed by sellers, and some are hidden where only an experienced inspector would think to look. It’s the hidden ones that can cause the most heartache for unsuspecting buyers. Don’t panic – if the home you’re looking at has been flooded previously, Andrew will uncover it.
Rochedale South is also considered a termite-prone area due to the surrounding bushland and the region’s hot and humid climate. Andrew will conduct a preliminary inspection and if termites or other pest activity are suspected, we’ll recommend a specialist pest inspection.
Lastly, when a suburb experiences a surge in interest, homeowners and landlords can resort to rushed and shoddy repairs in an effort to sell during the market peak. Our inspection will uncover poor renovations, substandard materials and/or installation, and problems with building compliance. Ensuring the property you’re interested in is free from these potential hazards could potentially save you thousands of dollars down the track.
