Gold Coast and how I believed that it was the place to

invest.

Please do yourself a favour and read a column from the Gold

Coast Bulletin.

Here is the must read Article from the Gold Coast Bulletin.

August 30th, 2008

THE value of absolute waterfront property on the Gold

Coast's premier beachfront and riverfront strips continues

to climb despite a softening in actual sales numbers,

research from PRD nationwide shows.

Preliminary figures for 2008 revealed four absolute

beachfront sales averaged a substantial $11 million in

the prestige Mermaid Beach enclaves of Hedges and

Albatross avenues, compared with 14 sales averaging $8.41 million in 2007.

The report, compiled by PRD nationwide research manager

Lynda Campbell, found absolute beachfront property in

the suburb had recorded a massive 576 per cent price

growth over the past decade, with values lifting from

an average of just $1.244 million in 1997.

Palm Beach locations Jefferson Lane and The Esplanade have

also achieved strong growth over the past 10 years, with

values jumping by 525 per cent from $603,875 in 1997 to

$3.77 million in 2007.

The report also showed the value of prime riverfront

properties was on the up, with 85 sales during 2007

averaging $2.59 million, which was up from $2.1 million

the previous year, and a significant 252 per cent increase

on the 1997 figure of just $737,992.

Preliminary figures for 2008 reveal further values growth,

with absolute riverfront properties averaging $2.6 million

over 18 sales.

Riverfront properties in Surfers Paradise recorded the

highest increase in values over the past decade, with

prices leaping 663 per cent from $395,600 in 1997 to more

than $3 million in 2007.

Waterfront homes in Paradise Waters achieved the steepest

sales prices last year, with five homes achieving an average

of $5.78 million, followed by Cronin Island, which

averaged $4.65 million, and Southport, which averaged

$4.1 million.

PRD nationwide Elite Properties director John Natoli said

the trend toward amalgamating waterfront sites was

continuing to wane.

"In the past, buyers had been keen to purchase two or

three adjoining blocks and were prepared to pay a premium

price for the adjoining land in order to build bigger

homes with wider beach or river frontages," he said.

"With the trend swinging away from wanting to build,

these premium prices have been lost for the moment."

The report revealed Carrara had recorded the strongest

capital growth for absolute riverfront properties during

2007, at 20.5 per cent, followed closely by Southport,

which recorded 20.3 per cent.

Ms Campbell said both suburbs boasted a small selection

of riverfront properties that were tightly held.

"Properties in Carrara have been among the most

affordable waterfront homes on the Gold Coast," she said.

"Savvy buyers have realised this and are now snapping up

homes in the suburb, which is contributing to strong

capital growth."

Ms Campbell said riverfront properties close to The

Broadwater continued to record the highest sales prices,

as they offered residents quicker access by boat to the

open water.

A home in Monaco Street at Broadbeach Waters, achieved

the highest riverfront sale price in 2007 -- fetching

$7.675 million.

This transaction was closely followed by a residence

in Admiralty Drive at Paradise Waters, which sold for

$7.535 million.

"With boat ownership on the Gold Coast continuing to

grow, lifting 118 per cent in the 12 years between June

1996 and June 2008, properties close to The Broadwater are

in increasing demand," said Ms Campbell.

"Interestingly, these prime riverfront positions are

currently valued considerably higher than absolute

beachfront property in Palm Beach, but we would expect that

gap to start to close.

"Developers are increasingly turning their attention to

the southern Gold Coast, and Palm Beach in particular, due

to the more affordable prices. We would expect to see

continued urban renewal in the area in the next few years."

Wishing you all the success.

Dino Livanidis