Kerry Walsh bought her Garbutt home in 2000 when prices were less than less than a quarter of what they are today. Picture: Evan Morgan
Kerry Walsh bought her Garbutt home long before the area began gentrifying, but unlike many of her neighbours she’s not keen to cash in on the hot property market.
Garbutt unit prices surged 36.9 per cent to a median of $314,180 in the past year while house prices shot up 33.6 per cent to $475,669 on average, according to the latest PropTrack quarterly home value data.
When Ms Walsh bought her house back in 2000 she paid $84,500.
“It was second house I looked at,” the Australian Army veteran said.
“I had just returned from an East Timor deployment and unfortunately had a marriage break-up.”
Ms Walsh said while many saw Garbutt as a “dodgy” suburb at the time, she loved its proximity to local shops, the Strand and the city, and her home’s character, big block and garden.
“The neighbours are great, but the street has had many changes over the years,” she said.
“Many houses were Government owned and have slowly privatised.
“My section of the street is probably 70 per cent owner-occupied now.”
RELATED: The regional market leading the country in price growth
Revealed: Townsville’s cheapest rents
World’s only croc-shaped hotel up for grabs
This Garbutt home sold for $548,000 in December 2024. Picture: realestate.com.au
Ms Walsh said in recent months neighbouring properties have sold as soon as they hit the market, achieving increasingly higher prices.
“The last four houses that have been for sale were either under contract or sold within a day,” she said.
“One house didn’t even get to inspections, as it was pre-sold.
“I am amazed at what the median house price is now.
“Even five years ago you could buy a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house for under $300,000 here, but the secret is out.”
Ms Walsh said she was happy people were starting to see past the bad rap Garbutt got.
“There used to be an attitude of ‘no one wants to live in Garbutt’ but that horse has bolted,” she said.
“It seems everyone wants to live here now.
“I think the appeal is not only the amenities, but the character of the houses, the block sizes, and that most houses have been solidly made – they’ve already survived many cyclones.”
As for Ms Walsh, she’s long known her patch of Garbutt is a great little community.
“We take pride in where we live,” she said.
“If one person mows their lawns, it’s like a domino effect and everyone else does – I love that.”
“And even with all crime going on around Townsville, I feel very safe and secure.
“Would I ever sell?
“Hell no!”
English (US) · 