IT has been a tough year for individuals, businesses and the economy, but despite all the ways COVID-19 has hurt, it has not slowed property sales in Bathurst.
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Bathurst has seen 588 properties sold between January and the end of October, compared to 556 over the same period in 2019.
Almost half of those sales in 2020 have occurred since July, 28 per cent more than what was seen from July to the end of October last year.
October alone has seen a 40 per cent increase on sales compared to 2019.
Agent Chapman Real Estate owner David Chapman was somewhat surprised to uncover the figures and imagines a lot of people would also be surprised by how strong the Bathurst market is performing in what is otherwise a very difficult year.
"Talking to locals, I think there's an incorrect assumption out there that the local real estate market is a bit flat due to everything going on with the economy and COVID, but to the contrary, it's as good as we've seen the market in a while," he said.
Raine and Horne Bathurst director Grant Maskill-Dowton said his agency is on track for a very good year.
"Initially none of us knew how this year was going to go with COVID coming in, we didn't know how things were going to play out," he said.
"Certainly from our perspective, we're on track to have a record year for our office. It's been consistent throughout the whole year."
He attributed that to increased buyer activity from an influx of people coming to Bathurst and investors showing an interest in property.
More disposable income due to an inability to travel might also have contributed, Mr Maskill-Dowton said.
Although sales are tracking very well, agents across the city are struggling to get new listings at the moment.
Mr Chapman said property owners likely lack confidence due to the impact of COVID-19 in other areas.
"Talking to a few other agents, they're experiencing a similar sort of pattern, which is listings are hard to come by at the moment, but buyers are very active.
"That's resulting in the age-old supply and demand and buyers don't have a great deal of variety to choose from at the moment, which is resulting in higher prices being achieved.
"... If I think about it, it's only that fact that I'm in real estate that I've realised it's a good market, but unless you were really forced to sell for whatever reason, home owners are choosing not to sell, incorrectly believing it's a flat or a declining market.
"Home owners need to have confidence that there are a lot of buyers out there focusing on Bathurst."
Both agents recommend people who have considered selling to speak to their real estate agents, as they may be surprised to hear what their property could achieve.
"I think a lot of people think it's the wrong time to sell, and it couldn't be any different," Mr Maskill-Dowton said.
"It's actually the ideal time to sell at the moment. We're seeing properties hit the market and selling within in days of hitting the market, or at least getting offers within days of hitting the market, so there's a huge strength out there."