Updated for 2024/2025 by Andrew Mackintosh. After more than 30 years of performing Building Inspections in Brisbane, I have grown deeply suspicious of a “too cheap” property. When I perform a building inspection in Jindalee, I know, like its neighbours, including building inspections in Oxley, there are two kinds of property I could find. The beautifully renovated, well-loved property, and the dodgy, former cheap rental that’s been “polished up” to hit the market. The problem with areas along the south of the river, is that what makes them most valuable (river views) now means highest risk (flood damage). When I enter a Jindalee property to inspect, my first priority is knowing how much damage the property suffered during the last decade of flooding. If it’s in a high-risk area, I’ll check for issues with the foundation and roof, while keeping a keen eye out for anything the seller has tried to conceal with staging or a “lick of paint”. There are a lot of brick properties in Jindalee which can offer some protection from lasting flooding problems but I am still always concerned about the risk to my buyers.
Jindalee is a good option for those wanting an enviable Inner West post code but don’t have the budget for neighbouring suburbs. Jindalee is in very high demand despite being affected by floods. This means that buyers tend towards “postcode blindness” – opting to overlook potential problems in order to secure a solid rung on the property ladder. When doing your walk through, be sure to look for flooding warning signs. These may be subtle – newly laid carpets in downstairs rooms but older carpets upstairs, watermarks on garage walls obscured by furnishings, boxes and other storage items placed on raised shelves only… these kinds of things are very easy for the novice (or hurried) building inspector to miss.
Jindalee is one of those suburbs where you need a thorough and experienced building inspector to carry out your pre-purchase inspection and report. Don’t skimp on this vital step in Jindalee. And if we find something? Our reports are Brisbane’s most trusted inspection reports – so you can arm yourself with the information and use it to get the seller back to the negotiation table.
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Jindalee Flooding Risk – Source
What to know about buying in Jindalee
Located just 12 km from the centre of Brisbane city, Jindalee was the first established suburb of a series of developments named The Centenary Suburbs. The 1959 Centenary Project was the basis for development and the surrounding suburbs of Kenmore, Mount Ommaney and Jamboree Heights are still collectively and fondly referred to as such by locals of the area. Couples and families mainly live in Jindalee and after buying in the area they tend to stay. Competition for available property is keen and consequently houses don’t remain on the market long. As an inspector well familiar with the suburb, I urge you to arrange for building inspections in Jindalee as soon as possible after making an offer on your new home.
Why families want to buy and stay in Jindalee
Jindalee is known for being green, clean and family friendly. With many residents having school aged children, the good reputation of both schools located in Jindalee means buyers are choosing to purchase there to be in the catchment area. More than 80% of the homes in Jindalee are owned or under mortgage, with the average monthly mortgage payment being $2000. Although rental properties are in limited supply, and units rare features amongst the largely “brick box” homes, Jindalee is very well serviced by a number of regularly operating bus routes, popular eating-places and shopping centres. Brisbane’s second DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) centre is located in Jindalee and draws buyers to the area.
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The sorts of homes you can expect to find in Jindalee
Jindalee is a suburb with both high ground and flats. The lower lying areas are subjected to flooding and the 1974 floods resulted in substantial damage to the suburb. Again floods in 2011 caused an issue in prone areas and property values bore the brunt. You property inspector will check any prospective purchase for flood damage – or potential – before you buy.
Many houses are of highset brick construction, though some lowset traditional homes can still be found in the elevated areas of Jindalee. A significant number of properties are located above the flood line, but because the suburb is prone to flooding there’s a wide range in housing prices to reflect this.
Currently the average sale price of a 4 bedroom home is just over a million dollars with a 15% rise in average property values over the last year. Fun fact, this is more than DOUBLE the price I originally wrote into this blog back in 2016 – things have definitely changed in Jindalee!
How to arrange your building inspections when buying in Jindalee
As most people moving to Jindalee intend remaining in the area, real estate purchases are usually long-term investments. As such, and considering the tendency for some areas to flood, it’s crucial you arrange a building inspection and a pest inspection very soon after signing your contract of purchase.
An inspector with specific and detailed knowledge of Jindalee and its flood history is recommended when buying in the area. Peace of mind is priceless when it comes to making Jindalee your new home.
