Driving out through the Harvest estate at Chisholm, there’s a distinct lack of ‘for sale’ signs despite it being a new development.
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Even when trying to organise a photo for this story we couldn’t get our hands on any signage.
That’s because the appeal of the Lower Hunter lifestyle means land is being snapped up so fast, the developer AVID Property Group doesn’t put them out.
“We have not had any lot signs for two years,” Harvest sales consultant Deb Wright said.
Clearly they don’t need to. The crazy demand from buyers wanting to get their hands on their own slice of Maitland has even led AVID to bring forward its next land release.
The last release of 10 blocks was gone in just a week back in December, so nine more blocks were released on the weekend.
“January is a time when there’s a noticeable influx of visitors to the land sales centre,” AVID CEO Cameron Holt said.
“Many people take holidays and enjoy browsing, or see the new year as an opportunity to move to a new location.
“Harvest continues to grow as a highly desirable address and land remains a popular choice for families looking for spacious building blocks and the opportunity to build their own home.”
As the property market remains competitive, more and more people are moving towards building with a record number of homes under construction across the state.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the number of new homes completed in the year to September 2017 was 30 per cent higher than the latest five-year average.
“As of September 2017, there were 87,048 homes under construction in NSW. This is a record high,” NSW Department of Planning and Environment acting secretary Brendan Nelson said.
“Each home built means one more family is getting the housing they want and need.”
Mr Holt said the strength of sales and continued demand for Harvest was attributed to the predominance of owner occupiers seeking out the lifestyle.
Lorelle Holt and her husband Phill bought at Harvest almost two years ago, and said they enjoyed the community lifestyle.
“I love living on our street where everyone is like a ‘family of friends’,” Ms Holt said.
“If you knock on someone’s door for a cup of sugar you know you’ll get two cups, a great chat and possibly a glass of wine.”
The last land release is expected in the first half of 2018.
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
