Arundel

Don and Coral Smith experienced first-hand what life is really like living at Queensland’s most awarded active over 50’s community, Seachange Village, by visiting friends who have been living in the community for a number of years.

Recently, the soon-to-be residents visited Seachange to sign the contracts for their new home and learnt that they were going to be the 200th home buyers at Seachange Village Arundel. To mark the milestone achievement, they were presented with a stunning timber bowl, hand-crafted by fellow resident David Hallett.

Don and Coral first visited Seachange three years ago with friends, however it wasn’t until the start of the year that they realized the burden of their home was becoming too great, and they needed to make the change to a more secure, active and community driven lifestyle amongst friends – before it was too late.

“We went and looked at a number of different over 50’s resorts and retirement villages on the Gold Coast, some of which we already had friends already living in.”

“We had always been impressed with the 5-Star lifestyle facilities that Seachange offered, however being able to experience first-hand how the community of residents interact and bond with one another both on a social and personal level, was a key driver in our decision to move.”

“Our friends of more than 30 years, David and Beverly have been living at Seachange for almost three years now, and we have been lucky enough to have been invited to a number of planned social events, organized by the residents, including bus trips and jazz concerts.”

“We have another one already booked for October and we don’t even move in until March next year, so we already feel comfortable within the community.”

When Don and Coral first visited Seachange, they were amazed that the first person they met and spoke to when they walked into the welcome centre, was a resident.

“I was pleasantly surprised that residents volunteer their time in the welcome centre and take the time to talk to you personally, about their experiences living at Seachange. It gave us piece of mind and was comforting to know how happy residents who live here truly are.”

Another key driver in the their decision to make the move to Seachange, was the location at Arundel, which is positioned directly across the road from Arundel Plaza, offering a selection of cafe’s, designer stores, a Coles supermarket, newsagency and a medical centre.”

“We will continue to visit our local doctors and shopping centres that we do now, however it is comforting for us to know that we have access to public transport and facilities nearby that are important to us if we ever need anything.”

Every second Friday, Seachange residents host a morning tea which allows new guests considering downsizing their home and upgrading their lifestyle, the ability to interact with the residents who live and breathe the 5-Star facilities and community on a daily basis. To join our residents for a FREE morning tea, and to see why over 70% of current residents refer family and friends to live at Seachange, call 1800 652 797 now.

Due to strong purchaser demand Seachange Village Arundel is launching the next stage of its award winning development as the benchmark in five star living for over 50’s.

Built around the fundamental believe that there must be a better way, the developer has continued to consult with the existing residents to ensure the Community has a continued say in the evolution of the facilities to meet the vision to create the open space and facilities to enable a community to lead happy, healthy and active lifestyles.

The project backs onto the 78ha site recently purchased by the GCCC for the development of an extensive natural parklands precinct to be known as the Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area. This area is currently within its final planning phase by the GCCC and once complete residents at Seachange will have direct access to this area providing many kilometres of walking trails with access to the many and varied wildlife and birdlife in the Coombabah Wetlands Area.

In keeping with this green theme the next stage of Seachange Village Arundel will include the Village Green, offering residents the opportunity of utilising one of the many BBQ’s the pavilion style community centre for social gatherings outside the existing 5 star country club and green open space for the playing of cricket when the grandkids visit.

Phil Goodman, Project Director at Seachange said “ the most exciting component of the Village Green for me is to be able to support our Anzac Day committee by providing the residents with a dedicated Anzac Community Garden, Memorial Space and Flagpole to give them a larger area to celebrate given the success of the event this year. It is important that a Community meets to celebrate its history and it gives me great pleasure to be able to provide a facility of this nature.

The developer is also in negotiations with the GCCC to add a further 1.7 hectares of green open space o be known as West Park to the western boundary of the development providing a range of bike and walking trails plus other fitness activities and community gardens for residents use.

“At Seachange we are committed to evolving the community to ensure Seachange maintains its reputation as a Australia’s best active adult community for Over 50’s living. To allow prospective purchasers the opportunity to see this for themselves the first person you meet in our Welcome Centre will be a current resident of Seachange who will show you the current country club and give you an insight into the many activities our residents enjoy. No pushy sales people just a belief that if you do your job well the best people to tell you what you should know about living at Seachange are the people who live there.” Philip Goodman said.

With 47 homes sold in the last 6 months now is the time to register for the new stage release to be officially opened by Rob Molhoek MP on the 13th September.

THE Gold Coast’s turbulent real estate market is out of the white wash and into the shallows with more homes selling, prices slowly improving and less stock on the market.

An analysis of market figures from RP Data comparing June this year to June 2012 reveal a rise in recent sales, a stronger median sale price and buyers competing for less homes, creating a magical trifecta of improved conditions.

A snapshot of the week up to June 19 revealed 9006 properties were for sale in the Gold Coast region, compared with 11055 that time last year, and of those 1306 properties in the popular $300,000-$499,000 are currently on the market, compared to a whopping 3930 last year.

According to Herrod Todd White’s Residential Month In Review report for August, the Gold Coast’s market bottomed out in the first six months of 2013, evidenced by a significant increase of buyers in the marketplace compared to the past 12 months.

“Agents are reporting significantly higher traffic through open houses at all ends of the market and there are now fewer mortgagee in possession and receiver sales occurring than in 2012,” the report claimed.

“Agents are also reporting low stock levels, especially in the under $700,000 price bracket.

The report said more investors had moved back into the market and the $1-$2 million price range and prestige unit market had bottomed out and levelled.

Harcourts Coastal managing director Dane Atherton echoed the findings, reporting strong transaction levels in the lower to middle housing sector and movement in higher end waterfront homes.

“In that (lower) sector it’s as good as sold,” he said.

“That log of stock from six months ago has been cleared … listings are more competitive.

“And I think price growth is going to come.

LJ Hooker Nerang, Coomera and Pacific Pines principal, Shane Colquhoun, said the rise in buyers and drop in stock summed up their view perfectly, with the market considerably better than a year ago.

“You are getting about four to five times more registered bidders at auctions now,” he said.

“We have definitely seen prices improving on bottom of market stock too.”

Mr Colquhoun felt it could take six months to see a price rise, but once the election and another rates drop were out of the way it would come,

For buyer Andrew Coates, it took a matter of weeks to recently sell his unique Coomera Waters abode despite being warned it could take a year.

“One agent did say it was taking an average of 12 months to sell homes like this … we only had it on the market for eight weeks,” he said.

I was surprised it sold that quickly given the price bracket ($700,000-$800,000).

“And we didn’t have to discount it to sell.”

Mr Coates put the success of the sale down to a top real estate agent, the fact that his property was unique and the changing market.

“That was our third home we have bought and sold … and it seemed to me that this one was the easiest to sell,” he said.

“I was very pleasantly surprised by the whole experience … it really showed to me that things have picked up and houses are selling … I think it’s actually a good time to sell, it’s not a hurdle anymore.

Source: Sarah Webb www.goldcoast.com.au

At Seachange we believe that active people are happy and healthy people, and a true seachange is not just changing where you live, but how you live. It should be in a first class facility that allows you to continue enjoying the fruits of friendships, the benefits of community and a healthy active lifestyle.

Seachange, the most awarded over 50’s lifestyle community in a central Gold Coast location, offers residents a community and style of active living that alleviates those typical doubts that people may have when making the decision to change or downsize their home – starting from $369,000.

A day in the life at the resort demonstrates the benefits that downsizing offers. From cost-effective eco-efficient living to being among like-minded people who want to preserve the routines that shape their daily lives and remain engaged.

As soon as visitors step into the welcome centre, they are greeted by residents offering a real insight into life in the community. Seeing and hearing about the Seachange experience, from the perspective of a resident, provides a reassurance second to none to those on their journey to downsize or make a change.

The financial and emotional costs associated with any change are an obvious consideration, so in addition to delivering smart eco-friendly living, Seachange has become renowned for nourishing physical, spiritual and social needs.

The centrepiece of Seachange is the 5-Star Country Club. Featuring a gymnasium, bowls green, indoor heated lap pool and floodlit tennis courts – the multi-million dollar country club has something to suit everyone’s preference. A little indulgence can be enjoyed at the massage room, spa, steam room and sauna facilities.

Countless studies indicate that the chances of aging well are greatly enhanced by having a robust network of friends and family living nearby. For that reason, Seachange at Arundel boasts a strong sense of community and residents speak highly of the friends they meet whom they can count on when needed.

Seachange became the first external campus of the University of the Third Age, so that residents can continue to develop their life skills and hobbies. A library, classrooms, art studios and a workshop provide residents with the space required to read, learn and be creative. From acrylic painting classes to family history workshops and everything in between , Seachange offers an extensive variety of recreational activities set within its 5-Star facilities.

Call the Seachange Village Arundel team today on 1800 652 797 for an opportunity to visit the resort or attend a complimentary morning tea event. For more information, www.seachangegoldcoast.com.au

Click Here to Join our residents for a FREE morning of Barefoot Bowls, BBQ & Resident 5-Star Country Club Tours, on Friday 14th June.

Commencing at 10:30am – 1:30pm

Simply register online via the Morning Tea’s page – Click Here

OR

Freecall 1800 652 797.