Hi everybody,
I'm here to seek out your advice about investing in the Ipswich, QLD. I'm particularly interested in Springfield and Forrest Lake as I've heard some good things about it on this forum and my budget is at <$300k. What are your thoughts on that area? I am from Melbourne and all I know about Springfield is that it's a newly developed area with good ameneties around and Forrest Lake is a more family orientated area that is more established. I am looking at buying a townhouse in Springfield on a complex of 38 units, but because I'm interested in good capital growth within the next year do you think investing in a unit in Springfield is a wise idea?
Please let me know!
Hey Jsoohoo.
I've just started at a development company that sells land all around lockyer valley, south burnett, and darling downs. In order for me to get to know the areas for the last 5 weeks they have had me doing nothing but driving around these areas getting to know what it all feels like, reading up on the growth in the area, why it's growing, what's about to be built there etc. I pass springfield lakes every day on my way out further.
As far as buying land in there, It's pretty hard to get anything worthwhile under the 280k mark. Perhaps with some good negotiations or desperate sellers you could get it a little lower but what's the likelihood?
Springfield lakes is a beautiful area, with the lakes and the shopping nearby. It's very popular, and very densely populated. You're right on top of your neighours on every four of your walls. Good if you like being snug with your neighbours. There's parks there, a few days ago I passed someone floating remote controlled sailboats in the lake. Undoubtedly a nice place, with everything you need. However… I think if you go out a little further you might find you get a better lifestyle, better capital appreciation, a bigger house, ACREAGE, and still keep it under budget. Everyone that knows the area that's reading this, please pick on me if I say something wrong here, because this is what I would do.
I'm definitely biassed because I've had it pumped into me by the salesguys around me, all of that being sold to and, well, I'm sold. And the longer you spend in an area, the more you get familiar with it and fall in love with it. But check out your map, and instead of springfield lakes, take the warrego 20-30 minutes further down the road. If you end up in plainlands, where there's a coffee club, hungry jacks and woolworths, and levelled ground all around there to make way for things like bunnings, repco and a whole range of other commercial possibilities that are yet to come… you've gone too far by about 3 minutes.
At the very top of the mountain, with really, really pretty views the whole drive up where you can see out over all the area, (It looks absolutely fantastic at sunset) is an estate called hatton green. You can pick up acreage there for about 135k, or as high as 175, depending on the size of the block.
What I'd do, is pick up one of those, and build something of my own design on it, specifically to my own taste. It's up to you how big you wanted to make your house, and what it would cost, but being on your own stretch of acreage, ages away from your neighbours with a beautiful drive up to the top of the mountain every day, for the same price!! it just doesn't compare.
I know, it's a bit of a sales pitch. Like I said though, I love the area, and that is by far my favourite of what these developers own. It's close enough to everything to still have a life, 3 minutes from plainlands woolies that is screaming 'I'm about to become a major shopping complex', and is without a doubt the prettiest blocks in the area. You just can't beat being on the very peak.
I can show you pics I took a few days ago with my iphone if you like. Just ask me for them.
Sorry for the sales pitch. Hope I helped.
I went to springfield lakes today and purposefully had a look around after this post. It really is a lovely place, hey. Very busy, with lots of people, but excellent water views, waterfalls, tennis courts, footy fields in the middle. It's a pretty nice place for someone that doesn't want a back yard, a dog, or a drum kit.
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