Hunting down dreams
FOLLOWING on from their popular series of Relocation Relocation Australia, real estate gurus Bryce Holdaway and Veronica Morgan are back on the house hunting trail.
Their new sister show Location Location Location Australia helps families and couples find their dream home, or something close to it.
Location Location Location Australia - The LifeStyle Channel - Wednesdays at 8.30pm from August 15
From the bustling cities of Sydney and Melbourne to the beautiful surrounds of Noosa and Byron Bay, the agents scour local streets in search of a home that meets their client's brief.
Throughout the two series, Holdaway and Morgan have helped Aussie families find dream homes across the country.
"We've effectively shot in every state and territory, which is cool," Holdaway said.
New locations visited in this series include Hobart, the Barossa Valley, Victoria's Dandenong and Macedon ranges and the nation's capital, Canberra.
"In first series (of Relocation) we met a couple living in Canberra, but this time we looked to buy in Canberra," Holdaway said.
"It has this stereotype of stuffy political servants, but it's actually quite vibrant."
Overall, Holdaway described the current real estate market as reasonable.
"We're in a buyer's market across the country, which is always helpful, but general commentary helps no one," he said.
"If Brisbane prices are down then does that mean Sunshine Coast prices are down?
"If we weren't in inner Melbourne or Sydney then it was generally good for us as a buying team."
Holdaway has yet to meet a buyer whose expectations didn't exceed their budget.
"It's a juggling act between price, location, size of land and quality of property," he said.
"One of those has to give. One has to be the compromise point.
"Our job is trying to identify which one of those four they're prepared to compromise on, and help people get clarity about what they want or what they don't want."
One common buyer pitfall is falling in love with a holiday spot.
"They think that's what it's like all the time," Holdaway said.
"Most people come to Noosa and dream to relocate there and can't. It quite often remains a dream."
But for one lucky young Melbourne family, Holdaway helped make their dream move to the Sunshine Coast community a reality.
"These people were quite lucky. Moving to Noosa meant they were moving closer to family, so it was an easy move for them," he said.
Each episode of Location finishes with Holdaway and Morgan checking in with their clients once they've settled into their homes.
"We thought it was important to go back," he said.
"We get to see them in their environment and see the smiles on their faces. It's nice to be welcomed into their homes at that important time. I've got the best job going."
