Artwork for story about Noarlunga Downs.
It’s a suburb that has long been shunned but real estate agents say prospective buyers are finally recognising Noarlunga Downs’ value.
A string of million-dollar sales have been recorded over the past three years in the southern Adelaide suburb, property records show, which would have been unheard of just a few years ago.
Its median house price has climbed 126.5 per cent over the past five years, according to latest PropTrack data, from $332,000 to $752,000.
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Real Estate agents say Noarlunga Downs is “underrated”. Picture: NCA NewsWire Brenton Edwards
Slowly shedding its negative reputation – which was based on Housing Trust homes in the area and what Onkaparinga Council describes as a former “sludge lagoon” near a wastewater treatment plant that has since been turned into wetlands – it’s becoming much more popular among prospective buyers.
Magain Real Estate agent Scott McPharlin, who has sold three homes for more than a $1m in the suburb over the past six weeks, said buyers were finally seeing its value.
“Noarlunga Downs is probably the southern suburbs’ most underrated suburb, in my opinion,” he said.
The property at 12 Cascabel Way sold for $1.62m in February.
“About 99 per cent of my buyers in Noarlunga Downs would never have considered the suburb.
“The only thing they didn’t like about it were those two words.”
Mr McPharlin said it was not only affordable but well located, with Colonnades Shopping Centre, Noarlunga Railway Station, South Adelaide Football Club, Port Noarlunga beach, the wetlands and several schools close by, while many of the homes offered epic ocean views.
He said it was also one of the few remaining areas that still offered family homes on large blocks at affordable prices.
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The house at 2 Nurlo Rd changed hands in a $1.38m deal, also in February.
With limited space left to build, Mr McPharlin said it would only become more popular.
“Ultimately the south is landlocked,” he said.
Taarnby Real Estate director Taylor Taarnby said Noarlunga Downs started gaining popularity during the Covid pandemic as prices began to climb.
“It’s definitely been underrated but I also think buyers have been searching in those periphery suburbs,” she said.
“It’s the same thing that happened in the western suburbs over Covid, it was that little bit more affordable.
The residence at 22 Lydiate Rd sold for $1.2m earlier this month.
“It become the affordable price point for families.”
Ms Taarnby said there were a lot of exciting development opportunities in Noarlunga Downs, with hundreds of new SA Housing Authority and affordable homes to be built in the area, the first residents of which are due to move in in early 2027.
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