Here's the reality of demand to live in the good coast today from today's gold coat news: Massive demand:
Emma Maund inspects a house in Miami for her and four friends to share. Pic: Scott Fletcher Source: News Limited
DESPERATE prospective tenants are flooding agencies with applications and flocking to inspections as demand for rentals across the Gold Coast is at a four-year high.
Real estate agents, who say that in some instances more than 50 hopefuls have shown up at property inspections, put the demand down to construction jobs and the looming start of the university year attracting people back to the glitter strip.
The race to sign on the dotted line has also pushed renters to go above and beyond the usual application process, providing written references for pets and endorsements from their parents.
Real Estate Institute of Queensland Gold Coast zone chairman John Newlands said it was the highest demand he had seen in about four years.
"There is good demand and in some cases there are multiple applications on certain properties," he said.
"I think there are more people generally starting to move back to the Coast (after) an exodus over the past three or four years."
Mr Newlands cited preparation for the Commonwealth Games and the Pacific Fair redevelopment as two projects bringing people back to the city.
THE Real Estate-Miami property manager Mathew Davey said he had seen more than 50 people turn up to one inspection, which in most cases lasted just 15 minutes.
"I get letters from parents, I get a lot of people who are pet owners writing things about their pets and how well behaved they are," he said.
"I get people looking for weeks. Most of the horror stories are people with pets."
Mr Davey said rental prices were steady, but did not rule out an increase if strong demand continued.
Ray White leasing consultant Rebecca Palmer said family homes close to schools were in demand and university students were starting to seek rentals too.
"Because they are so desperate, they are just applying for anything and inspecting it after just to get ahead.," she said.
"Last Saturday we had 50 at one property in Coomera."
Hospitality worker Emma Maund, 24, and father-of-two Michael Rudkowski inspected a Miami four-bedroom home yesterday going for $550 a week and both said the market was tough.
"It is insane the amount of people turning up (to inspections)," said Mr Rudkowski, who has been on the hunt for a home for almost two weeks.
"It's a cattle call. There were 30 people at a home at Robina property one morning."
Ms Maund has been looking for a home to share with three friends for two months and said they had lost the race for two properties and attended countless inspections.
"At this time of year it's not easy to find property," she said.
"There's always at least three groups at each (inspection)."
Tips to get that home:
Fill out the entire application form and have your references in order.
Get applications in early, but keep in mind first in is not always best dressed.
Don't waste agents' time applying for properties you don't want.
Provide references for your pets.
Don't bother trying to start a bidding war. It's against the law in Queensland.
Be well presented at the inspection.
